Robert L. Butler
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| Robert L. Butler | |
| Image:Bob Butler.jpg |
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Mayor of Marion, Illinois
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| Born | January 23, 1927 |
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| Political party | Independent |
Robert L. Butler, (January 23, 1927-), is the current Mayor of Marion, Illinois, now serving in his 12th term. Butler has been Mayor of Marion since 1963.
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[edit] Background
Butler has long been associated with the Republican party, but is classified as an Independent due to his paleolibertarian-paleoconservative stances on issues. Many praise him as a straight-shooting, old-school public servant whose pro-growth agenda has helped turn this once-flagging city into a regional powerhouse along Interstate 57. He has an industrial park in Marion named after him due to his hard work of bringing business to Southern Illinois over the years.[1]
Now in his 12th term, Butler continues a streak as mayor that according to some rankings is among the nation's longest.
[edit] Growth under his administration
In many measurements, Marion's population has grown nearly 92% over the years since Butler took office, rising from the approximately 10,000 citizens in 1963 to a current city proper estimate of 19,200 citizens, not including many residents with a Marion address, which would add an estimated 15,000 people to Marion's micropolitan statistical area.
Hundreds of businesses have been created and thrive in Marion and the Marion area due to Butler's pro-growth, free trade policies. When he has faced criticism from opponents about business deals, Butler has defended the citizens of Marion and the jobs that have been created as an example of the success that he has achieved, regardless of political preference.
[edit] History
His maternal grandfather was Mayor of Marion from 1923-27 and, for a time, was the Police Chief. Butler's father served on the local school board and city commission, then spent 16 years in the state Legislature during the 1940s and '50s.
Butler ran for the state House once in the 1970s, convinced he could make a bigger difference from Springfield. He has helped Marion through many hard times of disaster, including the 1982 Marion Tornado that killed 10 and injured 200, and a disastrous fire in 1997 that burned down the town civic center. His leadership helped to rebuild the town and continue on a path of community growth that has been stronger than ever.
In 2007, Butler opposed the Illinois electric rate increase that continues to leave many people to struggle economically. The New York Times ran a feature story on this important issue featuring Butler.[2]
