« 10. Eric Lefkofsky12. Irene Rosenfeld » AGE: 31 OCCUPATION: Cofounder and CEO, Groupon Seizing on the power of collective buying via daily deals on the Internet may seem obvious now. But it’s from Mason’s brain that the multibillion-dollar idea sprang. The Northwestern grad, who cofounded Groupon four years ago with mentor and former employer … Read more
« 11. Andrew Mason13. Toni Preckwinkle » AGE: 58 OCCUPATION: Chairman and CEO, Kraft Last year Fortune named this mac-and-cheese lover the single most powerful woman in American business. But Rosenfeld’s August decision to split Kraft into two companies—a $32 billion global snacks maker that she’ll helm and a slower-growing $16 billion North American grocery … Read more
« 99. Bill Daley AGE: 69 OCCUPATION: Founder, Sleep Medicine Center at Children’s Memorial Hospital The author of Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child—the bible for bleary-eyed new parents now in its third edition—still works as a pediatrician on the Gold Coast. Getting an infant to sleep through the night? Now that’s power. MORE ON WEISSBLUTH: … Read more
« 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
