« 33. Dick Durbin35. John Rogers » AGE: 58 OCCUPATION: Chef and restaurateur He’s the man who made Chicago—and the rest of the world—take Mexican cuisine seriously. But is he powerful enough to wow theatregoers? Read our story on his newest role as an actor. MORE ON BAYLESS: 7 Questions for Rick Bayless | On … Read more
« 69. Richard Sandor71. Eboo Patel » AGE: 57 OCCUPATION: Cofounder and CEO, Loop Capital An influential Obama fundraiser and past chairman of the Chicago Housing Authority, Reynolds runs one of the largest minority-owned investment banking firms in the country. His specialty: municipal bond underwriting, a business in which stellar connections count. RELATED: Most Powerful … Read more
« 81. Patrick O’Connor83. Jim Thompson » AGE: 65 OCCUPATION: Vice president, U.S. Programs, MacArthur Foundation Since 1978, the powerful foundation has invested in affordable-housing, education, and arts initiatives in Chicago to the tune of $1 billion. And for more than a decade, Stasch, a former Daley chief of staff with deep ties to the … Read more
« 89. Scott Harris91. Vince Vaughn » AGE: 56 OCCUPATION: Chairman, GTCR Golden Rauner The longtime and now semiretired partner in one of the city’s biggest leveraged-buyout shops is mulling a run for governor and has the personal fortune to fund a campaign. Will he become the Chicago equivalent of Michael Bloomberg? His close ties … Read more
RELATED: 100 Most Powerful Chicagoans | Power Couples | Power Siblings | Up-and-Comers | Poll: Which Powerful Chicagoan Would You Call Back First? | Quiz: Do You Know Chicago’s Power Players? ON THE POTOMAC … BARACK OBAMA HILLARY CLINTON MICHELLE OBAMA VALERIE JARRETT … AND ON THE PACIFIC … OPRAH WINFREY KANYE WEST ARI … Read more
RELATED: 100 Most Powerful Chicagoans | Most Powerful Ex-Chicagoans | Power Siblings | Up-and-Comers | Poll: Which Powerful Chicagoan Would You Call Back First? | Quiz: Do You Know Chicago’s Power Players? LESTER AND RENÉE CROWN WHY: They’re worth more than $4 billion, for starters. MARTY NESBITT AND ANITA BLANCHARD WHY: The Obamas … Read more
RELATED: 100 Most Powerful Chicagoans | Most Powerful Ex-Chicagoans | Power Couples | Up-and-Comers | Poll: Which Powerful Chicagoan Would You Call Back First? | Quiz: Do You Know Chicago’s Power Players? JOAN AND JOHN CUSACK WHY: They both have serious Hollywood cred. CHRISTOPHER AND JUDE REYES WHY: That beer you’re drinking? Their … Read more
RELATED: 100 Most Powerful Chicagoans | Most Powerful Ex-Chicagoans | Power Couples | Power Siblings | Poll: Which Powerful Chicagoan Would You Call Back First? | Quiz: Do You Know Chicago’s Power Players? TAVI GEVINSON, 15 WHY: She
RELATED: 100 Most Powerful Chicagoans | Most Powerful Ex-Chicagoans | Power Couples | Power Siblings | Up-and-Comers | Poll: Which Powerful Chicagoan Would You Call Back First?
If any place breeds power, it’s Chicago. “Clout” and the city have gone together since the early 1900s, when our Irish Catholic forefathers clapped a stranglehold on the levers of authority that they have been loath to relinquish in modern times. Even in recent years, the general pecking order was clear: There was Richard M. … Read more
