Craig Martin

Representing Fortune 500 companies and rich families, Martin got a $1 billion pension-loss case against Nuveen dismissed, bested former U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald in court, and was picked to represent the Illinois Municipal League in state pension reform litigation.

Joseph Ferguson

Just when it looked like he was in the twilight of his career as Chicago’s chief public-corruption buster, he’s gotten a second life, with more money and power to investigate wrongdoing.

Howard Tullman

Starting 12 companies and turning around numerous others isn’t enough for this serial entrepreneur. Last year, he took over the nonprofit tech incubator 1871, helping to double its startup space in the Merchandise Mart.

Jorge Ramirez

With Bruce Rauner’s threats to take on “government union bosses,” the head honcho of one of the state’s largest unions—and a fixture on a slew of Rahm’s appointed task forces—will have lots of chances to flex his muscles.

Charles Mulaney Jr.

This veteran legal whiz is behind some of the biggest corporate mergers and acquisitions in the nation, most recently the $11 billion Burger King-Tim Hortons marriage.

Nick Kokonas

Who else could so quickly nab investors like Twitter's Dick Costolo, Rich Melman, and culinary legend Thomas Keller and convince 15 restaurants across the country to sign on for the pilot version of his next iteration of online ticketing?

Kathleen Zellner

With exonerations of 16 wrongfully imprisoned men (and six pending cases), she has helped overturn more convictions than any private attorney in the country.