Taking sides

Cook County Board President George Dunne, the 42nd Ward Democratic Committeeman, sought revenge for having been deposed as Democratic Party Chair by 10th ward Alderman Edward Vrdolyak. So, he ordered Alderman Burton Natarus, who represented his ward in the City Council, to vote with the Blacks and the White Independents who supported newly elected Mayor Harold Washington in opposition to Vrdolyak. It was a political act, not an ideological one.

So, Natarus obediently took sides against Vrdolyak’s Council majority. He was the only White Machine Alderman to line up with the Council minority and he often endured ridicule as a result of his action. Although an able debater, he displayed a more serious demeanor than did his street fighting taunter, and often ended up on the losing end of the Council leader’s barbs.