NEAR WEST SIDE — The city is giving those interested in replacing Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27th) just one week to apply for the job.

But a former alderman who closely watches such appointments in Chicago says that the process could already be rigged from the start as Burnett’s youngest son is widely expected to be named to the seat.

The Mayor’s Office on Friday launched a selection process to fill the vacancy left by Burnett when he resigned at the end of July after 30 years in office. Burnett is a finalist to lead the Chicago Housing Authority, though that process has stalled because of federal regulations that could push back his appointment by a year, the Sun-Times reported.

Dick Simpson, professor emeritus at the University of Illinois Chicago and former alderperson, said the curren

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