Zoning Committee stalemate continues under Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with other vacancies

Chicago City Council fails to find next Zoning Committee chair as mayor faces delays in other key appointments

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Chicago City Council failed to find its next Zoning Committee chair on Wednesday, with Ald. Bennett Lawson, the powerful committee's vice chair and longtime interim leader, waiting in the wings. Meanwhile, Mayor Brandon Johnson faces delays in filling other key vacancies, including at the Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Transit Authority, and the Department of Transportation.

Why it matters

The Zoning Committee controls critical legislation related to development and other land use issues in Chicago, making the selection of its chair traditionally one of the most consequential decisions for the city. The ongoing stalemate highlights the challenges Mayor Johnson is facing in filling key leadership positions across the city's government and agencies.

The details

Ald. Bennett Lawson appeared hopeful early Wednesday that he would win the Zoning Committee chair position, which has been vacant since Johnson ally Walter Burnett retired from the council in July. However, as Lawson tried to coax votes, it became clear aldermen would remain stuck in an unproductive stalemate. Lawson announced he would hold the resolution to name him chair rather than let it face an up or down vote. Meanwhile, Johnson's efforts to fill other vacancies, such as the Chicago Housing Authority CEO, have also faced delays, with Ald. Anthony Beale stalling the legislation to approve Johnson's preferred candidate, Walter Burnett.

  • The Zoning Committee chair position has been vacant since July 2025 when Johnson ally Walter Burnett retired from the council.
  • On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the Chicago City Council failed to find its next Zoning Committee chair.

The players

Brandon Johnson

The current mayor of Chicago, who is facing challenges in filling key leadership positions across the city's government and agencies.

Bennett Lawson

The Zoning Committee's vice chair and longtime interim leader, who was waiting to be named the permanent chair.

Walter Burnett

A former Chicago City Council member who was an ally of Mayor Johnson, and is Johnson's preferred candidate to lead the Chicago Housing Authority.

Anthony Beale

A Chicago City Council member who has opposed some of Mayor Johnson's appointments, including the effort to install Walter Burnett as the Chicago Housing Authority CEO.

Gil Villegas

A Chicago City Council member who has also expressed interest in the Zoning Committee chair role.

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What they’re saying

“No Zoning meetings until there's a permanent chair. And I shouldn't have done that last one.”

— Bennett Lawson, Zoning Committee Vice Chair (Chicago Tribune)

“At the end of the day, this administration has failed to lead and put forward candidates for different positions. I mean, it's just on and on, and so that's where we need to make sure that at some point these positions get filled.”

— Gil Villegas, Chicago City Council Member (Chicago Tribune)

“The mayor is trying to force people out in order to get more people in his favor to support Walter Burnett. And that's a power play by the administration.”

— Anthony Beale, Chicago City Council Member (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.