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
12. Lester Crown 14. Joe Mansueto 13 Dick Durbin Age: 68 Occupation: U.S. senator Next Back Durbin has never craved the spotlight, yet in his quiet and effective way, he has become one of the Senate’s most influential leaders. Being a mentor and early supporter of Barack Obama certainly hasn’t hurt, but Durbin also wins … Read more
46. Dan Webb 48. Ann Lurie 47 Neil Bluhm Age: 75 Occupation: Managing principal, Walton Street Capital Next Back This billionaire’s enormous real-estate portfolio and connections to Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Michael Madigan (No. 2) may give him swagger, but he also holds serious influence through his Rivers Casino in Des Plaines. The closest … Read more
81. Christopher Crane 83. Anne Pramaggiore 82 Jorge Ramirez Age: 42 Occupation: President, Chicago Federation of Labor Next Back A formidable union advocate on everything from pension reforms to O’Hare janitorial contracts, Ramirez will play a crucial role if Chicago gets that casino everyone keeps talking about. Photograph: LANE CHRISTIANSEN/CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Here are the 12 power 100 listees with the most major civic, corporate, and nonprofit board memberships—and how they are connected by just five cultural institutions alone.
