William D. Burns
Encyclopedia
William D. Burns is a Democratic
member of the Illinois House of Representatives
, representing the 26th District since his election in 2008. On February 22, 2011, he was elected Alderman of Chicago's Fourth Ward, winning a majority in the first round of the election.
where he received both his B.A.
and M.A.
degrees.
He is a former Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to Emil Jones
, the Illinois Senate
President, and a former Vice President of Program and Field Offices for the Chicago Urban League. Burns has also served as an Education and Tax Policy Manager for the Metropolitan Planning Council, a community outreach coordinator for State Senator Barack Obama
and the Deputy Campaign Manager for Obama for Congress 2000.
, and defeated her in the Democratic Primary on “Super Tuesday
.” He went on to defeat perennial candidate Sylvester “Junebug” Hendricks in the general election. As a State Representative, Burns has served on committees addressing education, health care, and government reform. Burns also sponsored the first green job
s program in the United States which was specifically targeted at low-income urban areas. The Urban Weatherization Jobs Initiative employs inner-city residents in the weatherization of homes and other buildings on the South Side of Chicago. Burns also has been a vocal supporter of reform to Illinois’ campaign finance laws, strengthening gun control, and property tax reform.
was elected Cook County
Board
President. Community leader Shirley Newsome was appointed by Chicago Mayor
Richard M. Daley
to serve out the remainder of Preckwinkle’s term, but did not seek a full term. With Preckwinkle’s support, Burns entered the race for Alderman in the February 22nd first round of the municipal election, preferring not to seek the temporary appointment for the remainder of Preckwinkle’s term. Will Burns faced five Democratic or independent opponents, and Lori Yokoyama, who was endorsed by the Chicago GOP and Chicago Young Republicans. Burns won the race with 64.6% of the vote in the February 22nd election.
Alderman, 4th Ward
:
Elementary and Secondary Education Appropriations Committee
Health Care Availability and Access Committee
Health Care Disparities Committee
State Government Administration Committee
Youth and Family Committee
Infrastructure Committee
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Illinois House of Representatives
Illinois House of Representatives
The Illinois House of Representatives is the lower house of the Illinois General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois. The body was created by the first Illinois Constitution adopted in 1818. The state House of Representatives is made of 118 representatives elected from...
, representing the 26th District since his election in 2008. On February 22, 2011, he was elected Alderman of Chicago's Fourth Ward, winning a majority in the first round of the election.
Background
Burns attended the University of ChicagoUniversity of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
where he received both his B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
and M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degrees.
He is a former Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to Emil Jones
Emil Jones
Emil Jones, Jr. was the President of the Illinois Senate from 2003 to 2009. A Democrat, Jones served in the Illinois Senate from 1983 to 2009, where he served as President of the Illinois Senate from 2003 to the end of his term...
, the Illinois Senate
Illinois Senate
The Illinois Senate is the upper chamber of the Illinois General Assembly, the legislative branch of the government of the state of Illinois in the United States. The body was created by the first state constitution adopted in 1818. The Illinois Senate is made up of 59 senators elected from...
President, and a former Vice President of Program and Field Offices for the Chicago Urban League. Burns has also served as an Education and Tax Policy Manager for the Metropolitan Planning Council, a community outreach coordinator for State Senator Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
and the Deputy Campaign Manager for Obama for Congress 2000.
Illinois State Representative
In 2008 Burns challenged incumbent State Representative Elga JeffriesElga L. Jefferies
Elga L. Jefferies is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 26th District since her appointment in June 2006 after the death of the former Representative, Lovana "Lou" Jones. Jefferies won election in her own right Nov...
, and defeated her in the Democratic Primary on “Super Tuesday
Super Tuesday, 2008
Super Tuesday 2008, Super Duper Tuesday, Mega Tuesday, Giga Tuesday, Tsunami Tuesday, and The Tuesday of Destiny are names for February 5, 2008, the day on which the largest simultaneous number of state U.S. presidential primary elections in the history of U.S. primaries were held...
.” He went on to defeat perennial candidate Sylvester “Junebug” Hendricks in the general election. As a State Representative, Burns has served on committees addressing education, health care, and government reform. Burns also sponsored the first green job
Green job
A green job, also called a green-collar job is, according to the United Nations Environment Program, "work in agricultural, manufacturing, research and development , administrative, and service activities that contribute substantially to preserving or restoring environmental quality...
s program in the United States which was specifically targeted at low-income urban areas. The Urban Weatherization Jobs Initiative employs inner-city residents in the weatherization of homes and other buildings on the South Side of Chicago. Burns also has been a vocal supporter of reform to Illinois’ campaign finance laws, strengthening gun control, and property tax reform.
Campaign for Alderman of Chicago's Fourth Ward
In November 2010, long-time Alderman Toni PreckwinkleToni Preckwinkle
Toni Reed Preckwinkle is the current Cook County Board President and a former alderman in the Chicago City Council representing Chicago's 4th ward in Cook County, Illinois, United States. She was elected on November 2, 2010, as president of the Cook County Board...
was elected Cook County
Cook County, Illinois
Cook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
Board
Cook County Board of Commissioners
The Cook County Board of Commissioners is a legislative body made up of 17 commissioners who are elected by district for four year terms. Cook County, which includes the City of Chicago, is the nation's second largest county with a population of 5.2 million residents...
President. Community leader Shirley Newsome was appointed by Chicago Mayor
Mayor of Chicago
The Mayor of Chicago is the chief executive of Chicago, Illinois, the third largest city in the United States. He or she is charged with directing city departments and agencies, and with the advice and consent of the Chicago City Council, appoints department and agency leaders.-Appointment...
Richard M. Daley
Richard M. Daley
Richard Michael Daley is a United States politician, member of the national and local Democratic Party, and former Mayor of Chicago, Illinois. He was elected mayor in 1989 and reelected in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007. He was the longest serving Chicago mayor, surpassing the tenure of his...
to serve out the remainder of Preckwinkle’s term, but did not seek a full term. With Preckwinkle’s support, Burns entered the race for Alderman in the February 22nd first round of the municipal election, preferring not to seek the temporary appointment for the remainder of Preckwinkle’s term. Will Burns faced five Democratic or independent opponents, and Lori Yokoyama, who was endorsed by the Chicago GOP and Chicago Young Republicans. Burns won the race with 64.6% of the vote in the February 22nd election.
Electoral History
Illinois House of Representatives - 26th District| Election | Candidate | Votes | Percent | Candidate | Votes | Percent | Candidate | Votes | Percent | Candidate | Votes | Percent | Candidate | Votes | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Democratic Primary | William D. Burns | 9,063 | 33.09% | Kenny Johnson | 7,653 | 27.94% | Phillip Jackson | 4,912 | 17.94% | Elga L. Jefferies (i) | 3,270 | 11.94% | Paul Chadha | 2,489 | 9.09% |
| 2008 General | William D. Burns (D) | 41,807 | 86.06% | Sylvester "Junebug" Hendricks (R) | 6,770 | 13.94% | |||||||||
| 2010 Democratic Primary | William D. Burns | 14,574 | 100% | ||||||||||||
| 2010 General | William D. Burns (D) | 29,914 | 83.48% | Sylvester "Junebug" Hendricks (R) | 5,290 | 16.52% |
Alderman, 4th Ward
| Candidate | Votes | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| William D. Burns | 8,518 | 64.65% |
| Lori S. Yokoyama | 1,264 | 9.59% |
| Norman H. Bolden | 1,247 | 9.46% |
| Brian Scott | 951 | 7.22% |
| George Rumsey | 632 | 4.08% |
| Adam L. Miguest | 632 | 2.91% |
| James E. Williams | 181 | 1.37% |
Committee Assignments
Will Burns has served on the following committees in the Illinois General AssemblyIllinois General Assembly
The Illinois General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois and comprises the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate. The General Assembly was created by the first state constitution adopted in 1818. Illinois has 59 legislative districts, with two...
:
Elementary and Secondary Education Appropriations Committee
Health Care Availability and Access Committee
Health Care Disparities Committee
State Government Administration Committee
Youth and Family Committee
Infrastructure Committee
External links
- Illinois General Assembly - Representative William D. Burns (D) 26th District official IL House website
- Project Vote Smart - Representative William D. Burns (IL) profile
- Follow the Money - William D. Burns
- 2008 campaign contributions
- Illinois House Democrats - William D. Burns profile