There are people who talk about doing, and then there are people who get things done. Our six Chicagoans of the Year for 2009—a jazz musician, a Holocaust survivor, a horsewoman, an architectural detective, and two grieving parents—clearly fall into the latter category.

At a January luncheon at the Four Seasons, sponsored in part by Coldwell Banker, Chicago will celebrate the achievements of these remarkable individuals and reward them with a $1,000 donation from the Chicago Tribune Foundation for the charity of their choice.

PLUS: Tell us, Chicago: Who were the heroes in your life this year? Tell us in the comments below, and check back for the full story, coming soon.

Photography by Katrina Wittkamp