Burton Natarus

Burton Natarus was Alderman of the 42nd Ward of Chicago from 1971 to 2007.

Early life

Natarus is a graduate of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. Later, he taught at Chicago’s Loyola University on the subject of local government. Natarus also served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserves, earning paratrooper's "jump wings".

Public service

Natarus is active in a number of community groups: City Club of Chicago, Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, Central Michigan Association, North Dearborn Association, and River North Association.

Aldermanic career

Natarus was first elected Alderman of the 42nd Ward in 1971. He was re-elected eight times, serving for thirty-six years. The 42nd Ward encompasses some of Chicago's wealthiest neighborhoods, including Streeterville, the Gold Coast, the Magnificent Mile, River North, and the Loop.

Natarus' conduct as Alderman was often extremely questionable. He testified in Federal Court -- but only after demanding and receiving immunity from prosecution. In 2006, he admitted that although he observed crime on the streets, he failed to report it because, as he noted, nobody would believe a word that he said.

But as a loyal Democrat, Natarus avoided challenging then-Mayor Richard J. Daley and the Party organization on issues such as corruption, favoritism, racism, and police brutality. He was a reliable vote in favor of the Mayor's budget, and of any zoning changes requested by other Aldermen. The ordinances he crafted often included language that allowed the Mayor to give tax breaks, subsidies, and sweetheart deals to favored business interests. He always supported "organization" candidates for state and county office in Democratic primaries.

This continued under Daley's successors, Bilandic and Byrne. However, after black independent Harold Washington was elected Mayor in 1983, Natarus supported Washington in the "Council Wars" battle that followed. That was a break with the other white "organization" Aldermen in the Council (the Vrdolyak 29), though not with the county Democrat organization, which was not involved.

When Washington's supporters narrowly gained control of the Council in 1987, the opposition bloc collapsed, so Natarus could become an organization man again. This continued after Washington's death and eventual replacement by Richard M. Daley, to whom Natarus was as loyal as he had been to his father.

That support came back to him in 2007. In 2006, he had made what many consider to be obnoxious statements against Congressman Danny K. Davis, who's Congressional District the 42nd Ward in Congress. Having backed Todd Stroger instead, Natarus then failed to carry the 42nd with the Republican winning the ward handily. The reason was clear: Despite being in office for over thirty years, Natarus had failed to build any real Democratic organization and was completely out of touch with the voters.

Natarus was Chairman of the Traffic and Safety Committee. He also served on six other committees: Finance; Zoning; Committees, Rules and Ethics; License and Consumer Protection; Budget and Government Operations; and Housing and Real Estate. In addition, he is a member of the Chicago Plan Commission, the Central Area Planning Task Force, and the Regional Transportation Task Force.

Defeat

In 2007, Natarus sought re-election for a tenth term, but was soundly defeated. His well funded opponent, backed by a serious ground effort with a first class organization, attacked Natarus on the basis that Natarus had received over $500,000 from developers and appeared to take the concerns of the developers far more seriously than that of the residents. Natarus was so concerned about these allegations that he failed to appear at a number of scheduled joint campaign appearances. His failure to appear at the events served to confirm the challenger's position that Natarus had lost tough. Further, the challenger connected with the voters on the general issue of a lack of city services in the 42nd Ward and the fact that Natarus was simply unresponsive to the needs of the residents. Finally, the questionable dealings of Natarus, specifically the grant of immunity, played a strong role. As such, Natarus was soundly defeated losing even his home precinct.

Personal life

Alderman Natarus has two children, Jill Ellen and Michael, and one grandchild, Jacob.

External links

• Aldermanic website

• Neighbors Page