Chicago Mayor Backs Off Progressive Ally as Zoning Chair Pick

Mayor Brandon Johnson ceded to Chicago City Council members Friday in a power struggle for the city’s Zoning Committee Chair, with a sudden and unexpected turn in his pick for the position.

In a move to avoid another defeat in the Chicago City Council, Johnson shifted his support for Zoning chair from Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez — considered a progressive ally of the mayor — to seasoned council member and Vice Mayor Walter Burnett, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

The decision marks a strategic pivot as the mayor sought to shore up support in a highly polarized environment. Johnson’s original backing of Sigcho-Lopez — a progressive firebrand known for his outspoken views — was met with resistance from business and labor leaders, who saw Sigcho-Lopez as unpredictable.

The Zoning Committee, an influential body in shaping Chicago’s development, has lacked a permanent chair for over a year after Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa was forced to resign amid accusations of bullying.

Sigcho-Lopez on Friday admitted that he didn’t have enough votes to secure the chair, despite months of lobbying by Johnson.

“The mayor is not going to allow a group of white billionaires to impose a chair that wants to carry their agenda for business as usual,” Sigcho-Lopez told the newspaper, adding that he would support Burnett to carry out the mayor’s vision.

Alderman Andre Vasquez, a member of the Latino Caucus, dismissed claims that his group undermined Sigcho-Lopez, noting that individual council members had valid concerns about his leadership style.

“A majority of the Latino Caucus does not support Ald. Sigcho-Lopez. I would not assign blame to a whole caucus if a majority has a concern about one person. Different people have different reasons,” Vasquez said. As for Burnett, Vasquez said, “It’s less drama for everybody…Walter understands zoning more than most and it doesn’t cause any drama.”

Burnett, who represents the rapidly developing Near West Side and the booming Fulton Market district, expressed reluctance but ultimately agreed to accept the post.

“I don’t want it. I don’t need it,” Burnett said, adding that he was stepping up “for the sake of the city” and to maintain confidence in Chicago’s development future.

The Rules Committee is expected to vote on Burnett’s promotion on Monday. Ramirez-Rosa, once chair of the Zoning Committee, confirmed that the mayor’s office had decided to shift focus to Burnett, stating that Burnett has “the policy chops” to be an effective chair.

— Andrew Terrell