In the News

New prince of downtown

Saturday, Thursday, March 4, 2007 - Scott Fornek, Chicago Sun-Times

Brendan Reilly seems like a pretty relaxed guy. He laughs easily. He's comfortable making small talk. He shows off a worn navy blue overcoat and admits "I've never been accused of being the world's best dresser."

But Reilly also jokes that he's "maybe mildly obsessive-compulsive."

"I'm very organized," he says. "I've been known to occasionally organize the kitchen cupboards. You know, making sure it all lines up properly, the cans are in a row, et cetera."

The 35-year-old political strategist turned telecommunications executive has a new job that will let him decide a lot more than whether the canned peaches go next to the granola bars or the Pop Tarts.

As the newly elected alderman of the 42nd Ward, Reilly now becomes a major voice in the downtown and Near North "superward" -- a position that includes helping to draw the city's skyline through his aldermanic power to green light or stop most development proposals.

Time for Brendan Reilly, 42nd Ward needs new steward

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Forty-second Ward Alderman Burton Natarus has presided over his downtown fiefdom through an era of tremendous growth, and has at times
shown a knack for managing new development. All too often, though, Natarus hasn't paid close enough attention to residents' concerns on
development and other ward issues, and has made the news for frivolous ordinances that the city doesn't have the resources to enforce,
including his proposal to microchip dogs. Simply put, Natarus's 36-year tenure as alderman is enough, and the ward needs fresh leadership.

Brendan Reilly, AT & T's Midwest vice president of public affairs, is an ideal choice to lead the ward in the future. Reilly has admirably
pledged not to accept money from developers, and would also present zoning change requests to a neighborhood council for review. We also
like that he has experience on the state level, working for Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, which will give him an edge in
securing funds for transportation improvements in the ward. He's still a little short on the issues facing the Fulton River District, but
given time Reilly could make an exemplary alderman.

Read the entire endorsement here.

Claypool Endorses Reilly for Alderman

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool announced today that he is endorsing business executive Brendan Reilly for 42nd Ward Alderman in his race against 36 year incumbent Burt Natarus.

Claypool cited Reilly’s commitment to reforming government and cutting waste and corruption, as well as Reilly’s experience working both in the
state legislature and the private sector as reasons voters should support him.

“Brendan Reilly shares my drive to reform government and hold the line on taxes, by eliminating wasteful spending and holding elected officials
and public employees to the highest ethical standards. With his years of experience working as a senior advisor in the state legislature and
serving in his current post as an executive for a Fortune 50 Company, Brendan Reilly has the values and the leadership skills to make a
difference on the City Council.” -Commissioner Forrest Claypool

Read the entire endorsement here.

Reilly Endorsed by Chicago Sun-Times columnist Rich Miller

Friday, February 9, 2007 - Rich Miller, Chicago Sun-Times

...Reilly is definitely not Natarus, a man who derides his constituents for substituting a dog for a baby's love, refuses to call police when he sees people carrying guns outside a nightclub in his ward and is completely in the tank with the developers.

The only time I've agreed with Natarus during the last decade is when he called himself a buffoon. He is certainly that, and a whole lot more.*

Read Rich Miller's Sun-Times endorsement
here.

Will show go on for 42nd Ward incumbent?

January 24, 2007 - Gary Washburn, Chicago Tribune

…

Sometimes cranky, often colorful, he [Natarus] has been the author of serious legislation such as the ordinance outlawing use of hand-held cellular phones in moving vehicles. But he is better known for his proposals to ban parasailing on Lake Michigan, crack down on inline skaters on sidewalks and require horses pulling carriages to be equipped with manure catchers.

To colleagues who sometimes roll their eyes as he cranks up, he is the windbag of the City Council who loves the spotlight.

Natarus himself has acknowledged that some view him as 'a buffoon.'

…

Brendan Reilly contends that Natarus has "lost touch with the priorities" of his constituents and needs to be replaced.

…

Reilly, 35, said the ward has changed dramatically over the last 20 years, "but the alderman has not."

"One thing I hear over and over again is that [residents] don't believe there has been enough information shared, especially related to pending development plans, and it's not often their input is solicited," he said.

He [Reilly] called for formation of a residents development advisory council and for action to address a variety of quality-of-life issues, including traffic and parking problems.

Read more…..