« 9. Grant Achatz11. Andrew Mason » AGE: 42 OCCUPATION: Cofounder and chairman, Groupon; tech investor If you listen to the skeptics, Groupon’s business is bound to slow; the deals are crummy; the stock is going nowhere. But let’s not forget that Lefkofsky and cofounders Andrew Mason (No. 11) and Brad Keywell (No. 21) pulled … Read more
Daley’s moved on. Oprah, too. These are the titans of 2012.
2. PATRICK FITZGERALD » AGE: 52 OCCUPATION: Mayor, City of Chicago In the ten months since he sailed into office on an endorsement from President Obama, our pugnacious mayor has proved he’s the city’s alpha male. Exhibit A: the 50–0 vote on his first budget in November, despite its painful cuts and fee hikes. He … Read more
« 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
