« 28. Lisa Madigan30. Tom Ricketts » AGE: 41 OCCUPATION: Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ It’s been no small task taking over for the controversial Jeremiah Wright, who retired from the Obamas’ former church in 2008. But this dynamic “hip-hop pastor” has attracted younger crowds to the South Side congregation and mobilized African Americans … Read more
« 29. Otis Moss III31. Greg Wasson » AGE: 48 OCCUPATION: Chairman, Chicago Cubs He may have owned the team for only two years, but this U. of C. grad’s swift moves show he’s serious about building a winner. He ponied up a club record $12 million for the draft last summer, brought in game-changing … Read more
« 95. R. Bruce Dold97. Ikram Goldman » AGE: 44 OCCUPATION: Restaurateur Hu has done more than anyone to educate Chicagoans about Chinese culture—through food. But beyond his Lao restaurant group of seven local establishments, Hu is an important connector in the fast-moving Chinese business community. MORE ON HU: Tony Hu Opens Lao You Ju … Read more
« 2. Patrick Fitzgerald3. Mike Madigan » AGE: 66 OCCUPATION: CEO, McDonald’s What economic downturn? McDonald’s is tearing it up financially—and this low-key CEO is responsible. Since taking the helm in 2004, he has led one of the great corporate turnarounds of our time, checking out-of-control growth and adopting a back-to-basics approach that has delivered … Read more
« 96. Tony Hu98. Melody Spann-Cooper » AGE: 44 OCCUPATION: Owner, Ikram A few years after shooting to stardom as Michelle Obama’s stylist, she’s still the most influential fashion player in town. The party last May for the tenth anniversary of her namesake boutique—which quadrupled in size last year—drew designers and magazine editors from around … Read more
« 97. Ikram Goldman99. Bill Daley » AGE: 47 OCCUPATION: President, Midway Broadcasting Corporation Spann-Cooper controls a vital platform for Chicago’s black community as the owner and head of the city’s only African American–backed talk-radio station—a fact not lost on leaders in business, politics, and grassroots organizations, who regularly seek her out as a partner. … Read more
« 98. Melody Spann-Cooper100. Marc Weissbluth » AGE: 63 OCCUPATION: Cochair, Obama 2012 Yes, he quit his job as Obama’s chief of staff in November. But he’s still a Daley. And however he re-enters Chicago’s orbit—at the moment, he’s hard at work on his old boss’s reelection campaign—his potential for rising on this list seems … Read more
« 26. Sam Zell28. Lisa Madigan » AGE: 48 OCCUPATION: Superintendent, Chicago Public Schools He’s been handed one of the toughest jobs in the city: fixing the dysfunctional and debt-ridden public schools. But fresh off a tumultuous stint as school superintendent in Rochester, New York, the Haitian-born Brizard has got Rahm Emanuel in his corner, … Read more
« 27. Jean-Claude Brizard29. Otis Moss III » AGE: 45 OCCUPATION: Attorney general, State of Illinois The stepdaughter of House Speaker Michael Madigan (No. 4) made headlines in January when she sued Standard & Poor’s for fraud. But her real power rests in her popularity. Any Illinois Democrat considering a run for governor, attorney general, … Read more
« 25. Ann Lurie27. Jean-Claude Brizard » AGE: 70 OCCUPATION: Chairman, Equity Group Investments Singed by his highly leveraged 2007 buyout of Tribune Co. (owner of this magazine)—which has been mired in bankruptcy since 2008—the fiery billionaire is back to what he does best: buying and selling real estate around the world. A new bauble: … Read more
