To read The Essential Burton Natarus by Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune, click here.
About Alderman Natarus 
As the second longest serving member on the Chicago City Council, Alderman Burton F. Natarus has been elected by the people of the 42nd Ward to serve as their representative for nine consecutive terms. During his long career in public service, Natarus has transformed Chicago's downtown into the most residentially viable and commercially successful area in the City while earning a reputation as someone who is unafraid of tackling tough issues.
Recognized as one of the City Council's most creative and prolific legislators, Alderman Natarus pioneered the City's first handgun legislation in the early 1970s. More recently, he introduced an ordinance to improve maternity leave benefits for new parents employed by the City.
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Elected to office by his constituents for 9 consecutive terms |
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Second longest serving member of the Chicago City Council |
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Alderman of Chicago's most complex and challenging Ward |
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Has earned a reputation as someone who is unafraid of tackling tough issues |
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Known for balancing the divergent interests of his diverse community |
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Respected for forcefully advocating on behalf of his constituents and faithfully representing their unique concerns |
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Prolific legislator who pioneered the City's first handgun legislation |
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Chairman of the City Council Committee on Traffic and Safety |
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Member of the Chicago Plan Commission and Mayor's Zoning Reform Commission |
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Veteran of the U.S. Army reserves | |
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Promoting Liveable Communities
Long known for skillfully balancing the divergent interests of his diverse community, Natarus has been on the cutting edge of the City's efforts to encourage greening and balanced growth. Through his membership on the Mayor's Zoning Reform Commission, Natarus has overseen the downzoning of many neighborhoods within the 42nd Ward and has pioneered creative partnerships with developers to bring more new open spaces to the Ward than any other Alderman in Chicago. The Park at Lakeshore East, Erie Park and DuSable Park (under construction) are exciting outcomes of these efforts.
Natarus is applying a similar out-of-the-box strategy to improving education, a top priority during his current term. He recently passed an ordinance providing incentives to developers who contribute to an infrastructure improvement fund for Chicago Public Schools. This program promises to generate significant funds for school improvements throughout the City, including the rehabilitation of Ogden School.
Another experimental project, a public elementary school to be built by the developer of Lakeshore East, will further utilize the potential of public-private partnerships to provide needed amenities to the surrounding community.
Leadership in City Government
Natarus is the Chairman of the City Council Committee on Traffic and Safety and serves as a member of the City Council Committees on Zoning, Housing and Real Estate, Landmark Preservation, Budget and Government Operations, Finance, License and Consumer Protection, and Rules and Ethics. In addition, he is a member of the Chicago Plan Commission, the Central Area Planning Task Force, and the Regional Transportation Task Force.
Natarus received his Doctorate of Law from the University of Wisconsin and served as a captain and trained parachutist in the U.S. Army Reserves. A modern day renaissance man, he is a distinguished member of the International Society of Poets, a white water rafting enthusiast, cinemaphile, the City Council's resident comedian, the proud grandfather of two grandchildren and the guardian of a cantankerous cat.