Burton F. Natarus papers, 1971-2006

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Descriptive Summary

IdentificationMSNata07
Title
- Burton F. Natarus papers MSNata07
- Natarus, Burton F. papers
PublisherSpecial Collections
LanguageEnglish
RepositorySpecial Collections
Physical Description50.5 Linear feet
Date1971-2006
AbstractBurton F. Natarus served nine terms, from 1971 to 2007, as Chicago Alderman for the 42nd Ward. The 42nd Ward includes some of Chicago's prime real estate, encompassing Streeterville, the Gold Coast, the Magnificent Mile, River North, and the Loop. Natarus' papers cover the span of his Aldermanic career and include his official correspondence, work on the Landmark Commission, background data for city ordinances, and numerous albums of letters, newspaper articles, and photographs.
OriginationNatarus, Burton F., 1933-

Born in Wausau, Wisconsin in 1933, Burton F. Natarus received a BS in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin in 1956. He completed a degree in law in 1960, and attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. In addition, Natarus served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves where he is a qualified parachutist. He practiced law in Chicago for over forty-five years. First elected in 1971, Natarus represented Chicago's 42nd Ward for thirty-six years as Aldermen. During his time in office, Natarus developed a reputation for being one of the city's most talkative and colorful Aldermen. He has also been one of Richard M. Daley's staunchest supporters in the city council. 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 was a member of the Chicago Plan Commission, the Central Area Planning Task Force, the Regional Transportation Task Force and the Zoning Reform Commission. In 2007, Natarus was narrowly defeated in his reelection bid. Burton F. Natarus currently continues to be engaged in the practice of law, he has served the community for the past twenty-five years as qualified Arbitrator for the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois and is self employed as a land use consultant.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains materials collected by Burton Natarus' 42nd Ward office between 1971 and 2006. This includes scrapbooks of newspaper clippings, letters, photographs, and VHS cassettes, as well as documents related to Natarus' service as an Alderman in Chicago, Illinois.