« 24. Robert Zimmer26. Sam Zell » AGE: 66 OCCUPATION: Philanthropist This unassuming billionaire ranks just above Sam Zell, her late husband’s business partner, because she gives away huge sums with enormous impact. Northwestern University’s cancer center: $10 million. A health care clinic in Kenya: $30 million. And $100 million for the new Children’s Hospital … Read more
RELATED: 100 Most Powerful Chicagoans | Most Powerful Ex-Chicagoans | Power Couples | Power Siblings | Up-and-Comers | Quiz: Do You Know Chicago's Power Players? If you were to get missed calls from these six powerful Chicagoans, whose number would you dial first?
« 23. Roger Ebert25. Ann Lurie » AGE: 64 OCCUPATION: President, University of Chicago A renowned mathematician with connections to the White House (Obama named him to the National Science Board last April), the erudite Zimmer oversees a $3 billion budget at the Midwest’s most prestigious university. But his reach extends beyond academics: He sits … Read more
« 21. Bradley Keywell23. Roger Ebert » AGE: 57 OCCUPATION: CEO, United Continental Holdings Chicago’s place in the global economy relies on its role as a transportation hub—and thus on this Harvard grad, who stepped up from the better-managed Continental side of the 2010 merger. The next test of his power will be whether he … Read more
« 22. Jeff Smisek24. Robert Zimmer » AGE: 69 OCCUPATION: Film critic, Chicago Sun-Times The most recognizable movie critic in the world churns out reviews that can make or break films and dashes off daily tweets to his 580,000 followers. His list of admirers includes filmmakers and studio executives, who take his thoughts to heart. … Read more
« 20. J.B. Pritzker22. Jeff Smisek » AGE: 42 OCCUPATION: Investor and tech entrepreneur He’s quieter than venture capital partner Eric Lefkofsky (No. 10) and former boss Sam Zell (No. 26), but his accomplishments speak volumes. Keywell cofounded not only Groupon but also Lightbank (a business incubator that’s helping Chicago become a tech hub) and … Read more
« 1. Rahm Emanuel3. Jim Skinner » AGE: 51 OCCUPATION: U.S. attorney, Northern District of Illinois This son of a New York City doorman may seem an unlikely choice for No. 2. But when you can make the biggest names in state and local government quake, strike fear in the hearts of the Mob and … Read more
« 19. Ed Burke21. Bradley Keywell » AGE: 47 OCCUPATION: Cofounder and managing partner, The Pritzker Group; founder and investor, New World Ventures With a net worth of $2.5 billion, according to Forbes, the affable Gold Coast Democrat is the richest of the Chicago Pritzkers and the one who stands out for creating valuable new … Read more
« 17. Joe Mansueto19. Ed Burke » AGE: 75 OCCUPATION: Archbishop of Chicago His December comments comparing the Pride Parade to a KKK march have made him the bane of the local gay community, and he has polarized Catholic liberals with his stance on abortion and same-sex civil unions. But the influential priest has the … Read more
« 18. Cardinal Francis George20. J.B. Pritzker » AGE: 68 OCCUPATION: Alderman, 14th Ward One of the last of the old-school Chicago Machine pols, this Hibernian grandee has bodyguards. Yes, he had a bad 2011 when his political son, Gery Chico, finished second to Emanuel. But he’s still finance committee chairman, still has $8 million … Read more
