37. Cardinal Francis George 39. Bruce Rauner 38 Theaster Gates Age: 39 Occupation: Artist Next Back With solo shows everywhere from White Cube in London to doCUMENTA(13) in Germany to the MCA this May, this sculptor/performer is splattering his native city all over the international art canvas. His most ambitious work yet is a blueprint … Read more
3. J.B. Pritzker 5. Jerry Reinsdorf 4 Miles White Age: 57 Occupation: Chairman and CEO, Abbott Laboratories Next Back If true power in Chicago lies largely in the strength of your connections to other powerful people, this aff able corporate chieftain is tough to beat. Seriously. What key boards is White not on? (See It’s … Read more
66. Tyrone Fahner 68. Richard Driehaus 67 John Calamos Sr. Age: 72 Occupation: Chairman and CEO, Calamos Asset Management Next Back The son of Greek immigrants, this Naperville money manager and risk management pioneer (his company boasts $30 billion in assets) is the force behind the West Loop’s glittering National Hellenic Museum. Photograph: COURTESY OF … Read more
73. Patrick O’Connor 75. Ted Phillips 74 Roger Ebert Age: 70 Occupation: Film critic, Chicago Sun-Times Next Back A critic has an extraordinary amount of competition now: blogs, Twitter, Facebook. But this modern-day man of letters still matters. “Did Ebert like it?” everyone asks. The answer can quickly seal a film’s fate. Photograph: KATRINA WITTKAMP
51. Terry Mazany 53. John Daley 52 Richard M. Daley Age: 70 Occupation: Executive chairman, Tur Partners Next Back Professor, rainmaker, investor, adviser to the Russian government: not bad for the former mayor, who is carving out a new power base as an expert on China and Russia. Photograph: E. JASON WAMBSGANS/CHICAGO TRIBUNE
19. Eric Lefkofsky 21. Jeff Smisek 20 Lisa Madigan Age: 46 Occupation: Attorney general, State of Illinois Next Back If you have clout but don’t use it, are you still powerful? Madigan’s juice comes from her personal popularity and consumer-friendly lawsuits targeting predatory banks and mortgage lenders. She is said to be gunning for the … Read more
24. Karen Lewis 26. Grant Achatz 25 Tom Pritzker Age: 62 Occupation: Executive chairman, Hyatt Next Back He may keep a lower profile than his cousins J.B. (No. 3) and Penny (No. 6), but this billionaire looms large here and around the world. It’s Tom who has been entrusted with keeping an eye on Hyatt, … Read more
32. Juan Rangel 34. Greg Wasson 33 Jeanne Gang Age: 49 Occupation: Principal, Studio Gang Architects Next Back Architecture’s “it” girl continues to wield influence in spotlight-grabbing ways. When The New York Times wanted ideas last October for repurposing Prentice Women’s Hospital, whom did it call? Ditto New York City’s Museum of Modern Art, which … Read more
38. Theaster Gates 40. J. Christopher Reyes 39 Bruce Rauner Age: 57 Occupation: Venture capitalist Next Back The recently retired private equity dealmaker has been investing in tech companies, promoting tourism, and pushing charter schools. Too busy to run for governor? He's not saying, but more than a few heavy hitters from both parties … Read more
Chicago’s influential hyperlocal data site comes to an end forced by owner NBC, but it quickly built an influential legacy in its few years of existence.
