31. David Spielfogel 33. Jeanne Gang 32 Juan Rangel Age: 55 Occupation: CEO, United Neighborhood Organization Next Back He runs a charter school juggernaut (11 schools and counting) funded largely through state tax subsidies. And he’s considered the man you must see to win the backing of the city’s sizable Latino population (29 percent), even … Read more
34. Greg Wasson 36. David Vitale 35 Brad Keywell Age: 43 Occupation: Investor and tech entrepreneur Next Back Not one of those tech investors who are content to pull strings away from the limelight, this longtime business partner of Eric Lefkofsky (No. 19) was all over the stage at the second annual Chicago Ideas Week … Read more
47. Neil Bluhm 49. Fred Eychaner 48 Ann Lurie Age: 67 Occupation: Philanthropist Next Back When the towering new Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago opened its doors in June, this hands-on philanthropist stepped one foot closer to her goal: the creation of a powerhouse medical campus in Streeterville that would make … Read more
49. Fred Eychaner 51. Terry Mazany 50 Tracy Letts Age: 47 Occupation: Actor and playwright Next Back Chicago’s theatre community will almost certainly get a well-deserved boost if this playwright and actor—seen as a frontrunner for the Tony in June—gets the nod for his biting portrayal of George in Steppenwolf’s Broadway transfer of Who’s Afraid … Read more
36. David Vitale 38. Theaster Gates 37 Cardinal Francis George Age: 76 Occupation: Archbishop of Chicago Next Back His cancer recurrence and his letter of resignation, both in 2012, have some wondering if his departure is imminent. But George (who completed chemotherapy in January) remains archbishop of the country’s third-largest diocese and a kindred spirit … Read more
8. Toni Preckwinkle 10. David Axelrod 9 Irene Rosenfeld Age: 59 Occupation: Chairman and CEO, Mondelez Next Back She’s steering Kraft spinoff Mondelez (which owns such giant food brands as Nabisco and Cadbury and is valued at some $49 billion) to strong growth in overseas markets. And Fortune calls her one of the five most … Read more
6. Penny Pritzker 8. Toni Preckwinkle 7 Michael Sacks Age: 50 Occupation: CEO, Grosvenor Capital Management Next Back The firm Sacks runs—which invests in hedge funds on behalf of big clients such as pension funds and endowments—may help determine how cushy your retirement is. He is also thisclose to Rahm, who handpicked him to be … Read more
42. Patrick Ryan 44. James Crown 43 Martha Lavey Age: 55 Occupation: Artistic director, Steppenwolf Theatre Company Next Back A theatrical double threat, Lavey steered her trailblazing company through another hot season, highlighted by a sizzling revival of Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, starring Amy Morton and Tracy Letts (No. 50), which transferred … Read more
72. Bill Daley 74. Roger Ebert 73 Patrick O’Connor Age: 58 Occupation: Alderman, 40th Ward Next Back Rahm’s floor leader sits at the top of the heap in the City Council. Exhibit A: He chairs a powerful committee that handles collective bargaining. Photograph: NANCY STONE/CHICAGO TRIBUNE
5. Jerry Reinsdorf 7. Michael Sacks 6 Penny Pritzker Age: 53 Occupation: Chairman and CEO, PSP Capital Partners Next Back Democratic politics, education reform, employment initiatives, Jewish causes: J.B.’s tireless older sister is deeply involved with them all. An Obama loyalist who could soon be rewarded with a plum White House position, the civic-minded billionaire … Read more
