Burt Natarus is back on the Chicago scene, doing what he did for 20 years - serve as lobbyist for developers. He's getting paid more than previously, I assume…
But after being spotted toting a briefcase in the City Hall lobby this week, Natarus said he was not just making a social visit. He waved off a question about what he is seeking from city officials, noting only that a year has passed since he left office so he is now free to lobby for whomever he wants to represent.
Sure enough, a check of city's lobbyist registry reveals that Natarus is registered to clout for Zweig Inc. and Scott Rosenzweig. According to Zweig Inc.’s website, the firm is a "Chicago real estate developer specializing in providing retail services to inner city and urban areas."
The news will come as little surprise to critics among Natarus' former constituents in the downtown ward. As an alderman, Natarus raised huge amounts of campaign cash from real estate interests with a stake in his ward, much like many of his council colleagues. In unseating Natarus, Brendan Reilly alleged that Natarus often sided with those developers against the wishes of residents.
[From Clout Street - local political coverage | Chicago Tribune | Blog]
Alleged is too mild a word, Reilly demonstrated with facts might be better. Reilly has been oodles better than Natarus, in many respects
