Hyde Park - After half a decade of serving in the City Council, Alderman Will Burns (fourth) is leaving to join Airbnb, the site that lets homeowners lease their homes in a short-term set up.
The 42-year-old magistrate who substituted Toni Preckwinkle when she got to be Cook County Board president in 2011 is said to be stepping down from his position within this week, leaving Mayor Rahm Emanuel an empty spot to fill.
On Monday, Airbnb affirmed Burns has been recruited as a senior consultant and director of Midwest policy.
"We are thrilled to have Will Burns joining our growing team at Airbnb," said Chris Lehane, global head of policy and public affairs. "Alderman Burns will be a difference maker for those everyday people who depend on home sharing to help make ends meet - and we are very fortunate to have him leading our efforts in the rapidly growing Midwest, as well as benefiting from his counsel as a senior member of our policy team."
Mayor Emanuel announced that the process of finding Burns' replacement has already begun.
"I want to congratulate Will Burns on this new chapter in his life, but we will certainly miss him as a City Council member," Emanuel said in a statement. "He has spent the last five years advocating for better public schools, attracting new business and improving economy in the 4th Ward."
When Burns finally resigns, Emanuel will have 60 days to delegate a substitution.
Emanuel said there will be an online application process and a commission of fourth Ward group individuals drove by Michelle Harris, administrator of the Committee on Rules, Committees and Ethics, will audit the applications.
He was re-chosen council member in February 2015.
From 2009 to 2011, Burns served as state delegate for the 26th District.
Burns remains unavailable for any comments on the matter.
