In Chicago, “Canning” and power go together as surely as hot dogs and mustard. Not only does he oversee the largest private equity firm in the city, but he’s got his finger in a zillion pies, from Exelon (he’s a director) to the Museum of Science and Industry (he’s chairman). He made an unsuccessful bid … Read more
For many of its 113 weeks (and counting) on The New York Times bestseller list, Flynn’s third thriller, Gone Girl, has sat at the top. (See the Power Smackdown for how she stacks up against her main local rival.) The former Entertainment Weekly writer turned master of unease showed she could wield her craft just … Read more
Famously reclusive, this radio station owner is the power behind several progressive causes. His backing made same-sex marriage a reality in Illinois, and he remains the top donor to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Last year, he was the third-largest donor ($5 million) to the Senate Democrats. That didn’t work out so well, but Eychaner … Read more
Some of the luster is off the golden boy as he takes flack from community leaders on issues such as minority hirings, police brutality, and, as this magazine pointed out, the veracity of the city's crime stats.
2 & 3 Who’s No. 2? Get Ready to Rumble By Dave McKinney Bruce Rauner Occupation: Governor, State of Illinois Age: 59 The newbie GOP gov who once used a sledgehammer as a campaign prop Mike Madigan Occupation: Speaker, Illinois House Age: 72 The immovable legislative force known as the Velvet Hammer Rauner may … Read more
Everyone focuses on Mike Madigan as the chokepoint where Democrats can stymie Bruce Rauner. But don’t forget Cullerton and his 39-member supermajority. He is just as potent as Madigan for potentially hamstringing the new governor on any budget cuts or labor-unfriendly initiatives that Rauner might push at the statehouse.
Nesbitt spent a lot of 2014 being courted by suitors for the Obama presidential library, from Hawaii to New York. But the president’s BFF did some wining and dining of his own, raising upwards of $6.2 million during the Obama Foundation’s first year. Nesbitt’s stock also rises because his newish midmarket private equity firm amassed … Read more
What do you do when you’ve sold the film rights to your best-selling YA trilogy by age 26? Write the prequel, of course. Last summer, this Barrington native published a collection of short stories set before Divergent.
Chicago’s original culinary innovator (R.J. Grunts in 1971) continues to move and shake the foodie scene. In the past eight months alone, Lettuce Entertain You’s paternal leader opened RPM Steak and Intro—both blockbusters. This year, Melman receives the James Beard Foundation’s lifetime achievement award. That’s all well and good, but such honors are usually meant … Read more
This winter, Ricketts showed he was willing to make bold moves, dumping manager Rick Renteria for proven skipper Joe Maddon and greenlighting a $155 million, six-year deal to land pitcher Jon Lester, the richest contract in the history of Chicago sports. But he’ll need patience when it comes to his perpetually delayed $375 million Wrigley … Read more
