Changing Gears

Who really runs Chicago? According to Chicago Magazine, it is a collection of leaders in politics, business, sports and food.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel

Earlier this month, the magazine came out with its list of the city’s 100 most powerful people. It’s a surprisingly diverse list, with some very familiar and not so familiar faces. (Oprah, whose Chicago-based show ended last year, is no longer on it.)

Steve Edwards at our partner station WBEZ recently talked about the list with Chicago Magazine editors David Bernstein and Marcia Froelke Coburn.

We broke down the Top 10 into four categories.

Politics: In a city where politics is in everyone’s DNA, it’s no surprise that Mayor Rahm Emanuel is the most powerful person in Chicago. He’s joined in the top 10 by three other politicians: U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, and President Obama’s campaign strategist, David Axelrod.

Business: Even though McDonald’s is one of the biggest companies in the Midwest, and global powerhouse, you might not know its low-keyCEO, Jim Skinner. A much more recognizable name in Chicago is Penny Pritzker, the founder and CEO of Pritzker Realty, and a major philanthropist.

The top 10 list also includes Eric Lefkofsky, a Southfield, Mich., native who is co-founder and chairman of GroupOn (its CEO, Andrew Mason, comes in at No 11).

Sports: In a sports-mad city, it’s no surprise to see two people associated with Chicago’s teams on the list. They are Rocky Wirtz, chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks, and Derrick Rose, the star point guard with the Chicago Bulls.

Food: Chef Grant Achatz, whose restaurant Alinea is considered to be one of the best in America, is the leading chef on the list. He’s another native of Michigan whose family is in the pie business back home.

Read the complete Chicago Magazine list here. Did they leave anybody off that you feel should have been included?