76. Andrew McKenna Sr. 78. Matt Hynes 77 Robert Clifford Age: 61 Occupation: Principal partner, Clifford Law Offices Next Back This pitbull is the unofficial dean of the Chicago legal community, with an enviable string of victories and high-profile leadership roles in law groups. Last June, he won a whopping $181 million verdict against ConAgra.
2. Michael Madigan 1 Rahm Emanuel Age: 53 Occupation: Mayor, City of Chicago Next “We got the longer school day. Done! We’ve been debating grid garbage for a decade. Done! We’ve been debating competitive bidding. Done! We talked about bringing recycling throughout the whole city. Done!” No one can accuse the most powerful man in … Read more
18. John Rogers Jr. 20. Lisa Madigan 19 Eric Lefkofsky Age: 43 Occupation: Investor and tech entrepreneur Next Back As the largest single shareholder in the daily deals firm Groupon, which he founded in 2008 with Brad Keywell (No. 35) and Andrew Mason (No. 100), Lefkofsky suffered a blow to his personal wealth in 2012: … Read more
25. Tom Pritzker 27. John Canning Jr. 26 Grant Achatz Age: 38 Occupation: Chef/partner, Alinea, the Aviary, and Next Next Back With restaurants across the globe scrambling to emulate his cuisine, his ever-changing concepts, and his team’s tech-brilliant reservation system, this boundary-pushing chef is content to lead and let the rest follow. Achatz continues to … Read more
40. J. Christopher Reyes 42. Patrick Ryan 41 Mellody Hobson Age: 43 Occupation: President, Ariel Investments Next Back George Lucas’s bride-to-be was an inimitable force even before the ring. The money manager, financial commentator for CBS, and chief of After School Matters (the late Maggie Daley’s charity) saw her career reach new heights in October … Read more
85. Brendan Sodikoff 87. Glenn Tilton 86 Christopher Kennedy Age: 49 Occupation: Chairman, Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises Next Back In 2011, he left his job running the Merchandise Mart to launch a nonprofit that brings fresh food to low-income Chicago neighborhoods. But this Kennedy is still all Kennedy: He is the force behind the $1 … Read more
How the mighty have fallen. In the 12 months since we compiled our inaugural list of the 100 most powerful Chicagoans, the Fates have given the cards in the city’s power deck a thorough shuffle. With one false step that left him writhing in pain on the court, the bloom came off Bulls star Derrick … Read more
95. Joanne Smith 97. Tony Hu 96 John Rowe Age: 67 Occupation: Chairman, Field Museum Next Back This straight-talking former CEO cemented his considerable reputation by steering Exelon to big profits; last year, with business slowing, he decamped to focus on philanthropic and corporate board work (see “It’s Cozy at the Top”). Photograph: JOEL WINTERMANTLE/CHICAGO … Read more
14. Joe Mansueto 16. Don Thompson 15 Sam Zell Age: 71 Occupation: Chairman, Equity Group Investments Next Back He’s the richest person in Chicago, with a net worth of $3.8 billion, according to Forbes. But his wealth alone does not secure him a spot on this list. Demonstrating an uncanny ability to emerge relatively unscathed … Read more
27. John Canning Jr. 29. Steve Koch 28 Robert Zimmer Age: 65 Occupation: President, University of Chicago Next Back Can you say fast track? In the past year, the expansion-minded South Sider celebrated the openings of the Logan Center for the Arts, David Axelrod’s Institute of Politics, and a hospital at the university. And he … Read more
