In honor of our 30th anniversary issue, CS pays homage to the personalities making chicago the most vibrant city in the world at this very moment.
1. Curt R. Bailey
WHO: President, Related Midwest (relatedmidwest.com)
WHY: The site of Santiago Calatrava’s abandoned Chicago Spire project at Lake Michigan and the Chicago River is set to be filled, and Bailey—a Boston native and industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience—is the leader behind the ambitious new development. 400 Lake Shore will be a pair of residential towers that will also add two public amenities in the end of the Riverwalk and the 3.3-acre DuSable Park. With a first-phase completion date of 2027, it’s a safe bet that it’s a building that will be one of the city’s most talked about in recent years.
WHAT EXCITES ME MOST ABOUT 400 LAKE SHORE: “We are transforming one of the most coveted and recognizable sites in downtown Chicago into a vibrant mixed-income community with 20% of homes designated as affordable housing—a unique and compelling prospect for lakefront living.”
2. Kimberly Bares, @themagmile
WHO: President and CEO, The Magnificent Mile Association (themagnificentmileassociation.com)
WHY: There’s no doubt that Kimberly Bares knows Chicago neighborhoods—prior to ascending to her current role she headed up neighborhood orgs in Wicker Park/Bucktown, Old Town and Rogers Park—and she’s charged with what may be the city’s most critical ’hood of all: Michigan Avenue. By spearheading the opening of the Magnificent Mile Visitor Center, leaning into the Mag Mile tulips, introducing the recent Flight of Butterflies activation and working with the Urban Land Institute to plan for the future of the district, she’s on the right track.
FAVE THING ABOUT THE MAG MILE: “Our location—a vibrant river teeming with activity, leading your eye down a grand boulevard lined with architectural masterpieces. This all unfolds against the backdrop of the vast Lake Michigan, with world-class shopping and exciting attractions sprinkled throughout. It’s a truly unique urban experience.”
3. Susan V. Booth
WHO: Artistic director, Goodman Theatre (@goodmantheatre)
WHY: The Goodman’s new creative lead has filled Robert Falls’ Tony Awardsize shoes in style, with an inaugural season that both delivered crowd-pleasing entertainment and took the theater to thrilling new places. Don’t be surprised if the season wrap-up world premiere of A Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is gracing the Broadway stage soon.
MY GOODMAN THEATRE JOURNEY SO FAR HAS BEEN:“A total collision of past, present, and future. I came here with nostalgia for a place I loved. I discovered a place with the most fantastic energy around the necessity of smart theatre. And I’m looking forward to those opportunities to make folks say, ‘The Goodman is doing that? How utterly cool!’”
4. Nick Cave, @nickcaveart
WHO: Visual artist
WHY: From his Soundsuits to his epic exhibitions in Chicago and across the country—all of which encompass themes of race, gender, identity, power and more—Windy City artist Nick Cave has become one of the most important artists working today. Simply put, whether it sparkles and glitters, moves you to dance or moves you to tears, when you look at a Nick Cave piece, you can’t look away. This fall, Cave debuts a new exhibition at Jack Shainman’s new Tribeca featuring two new bodies of work, including a 24-foot bronze Soundsuit.
HOW CHICAGO STILL INSPIRES ME: “Chicago is the city that allows me to create a perfect place to continue making my work, connected with a home that is a perfect place to recharge. It’s home, a hub and a haven, and as we all know a city that is loaded with creativity in every nook and cranny if you’re willing to look a little deeper.”
5. Philip B. Clement, @worldbusinesschicago
WHO: President and CEO, World Business Chicago (worldbusinesschicago.com)
WHY: Driving business growth is old hat to Philip Clement, who formerly served as global CMO at multibillion-dollar corporations Johnson Controls and Aon—so he’s an ideal candidate to lead Chicago’s business realm to even greater heights.
WHY CHICAGO IS A WORLD-CLASS BIZ CITY:“Chicago is a city that works, it builds and it loves new ideas and our industrious spirit. It’s where industry meets creativity, where robust infrastructure enables businesses to thrive within a global framework. Whether it’s the abundant resources, the cooperative spirit, or the rich cultural tapestry, Chicago provides a fertile ground for businesses to grow and make a substantial impact on the world’s stage.”
6./7. Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis
WHO: Artistic directors, Steppenwolf Theatre Company (@steppenwolfthtr)
WHY: Three years after being named the first co-artistic directors in Steppenwolf history, Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis have proven that Steppenwolf is still Chicago’s most important destination for urgent, boundary-pushing theater that speaks to the times, with compelling world premieres like Another Marriage, Purpose (which just announced a transfer to Broadway) and this summer’s Little Bear Ridge Road and company productions of King James, Downstate and others mounted in New York and internationally to critical acclaim.
8. Michael M. Edwards
WHO: President and CEO, Chicago Loop Alliance (@loopchicago)
WHY: As the Loop goes, so goes the city—and Michael Edwards is in charge of ensuring that the neighborhood is thriving and vibrant, with activations such as the award-winning Sundays on State, which has drawn more than one million people to one of our most iconic downtown strips; plus LUMA8’s Arts in the Dark parade down State Street, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
FAVORITE PART OF THE LOOP: “The daily thrum of energy from diverse people utilizing our multifaceted district. It’s always been an aspirational urban district for me, representing a city that works. I’m happy—each day—to play a small part in being a part of it.”
9. Jonathon Eig , @joneig
WHO: Author
WHY: This biographer extraordinaire is known for a series of compelling, fastidiously researched portraits of iconic personalities like Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, Al Capone and Muhammad Ali that have been released to widespread acclaim. His latest, King: A Life, on Martin Luther King Jr., has gone even further, taking home the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Biography, cementing Eig’s status as a master of the genre and one of Chicago’s preeminent scribes.
10. Brendan Fernandes, @brendanfernandes
WHO: Dance, performance and visual artist
WHY: Nairobi, Kenya-born and Toronto-raised, Fernandes has been fully embraced by Chicago’s artist community since arriving in Chicago in 2016. Along with shows and performances across the country and around the world, Fernandes has some big Chicago news this month: the debut of a new work on Sept. 12 to kick off the new season of ART on THE MART.
INSPIRED BY: “I’m finding inspiration in the communities that I am a part of—I am being inspired by us being together, gathering and dancing to make space that defines a sense of solidarity. Being able to gather and support each other allows for me to think with optimism about a better future with new possibilities.”
11. Ian Gerard, @iangerard68
WHO: Co-founder, The Curio (@curioexperience)
WHY: Former attorney and passionate fashion connoisseur Ian Gerard made his mark on the NYC style scene starting in the ’90s as the co-founder and CEO of Gen Art. After a move to Chicago in 2020, the Bucktown resident has turned his focus to the Windy City as co-founder and principal of The Curio, a “community for the fashionably curious” whose aim is to unite the local fashion community and foster a new boom in the local industry through events, fashion shows, discussions and more. With more than 20 events already complete and upcoming events like “A Celebration of Chicago Style” on the opening night of Chicago Fashion Week on Oct. 9, Gerard is a fashion champion that the city needs.
CHICAGO’S FASHION SCENE IN 10 YEARS: “We already have some of the best fashion schools in the nation, and we are a burgeoning tech hub. As more designers choose to stay and produce their lines in our city, I see these industries continuing to leverage the best of arts and commerce to produce a future of fashion that is inclusive, ethical, sustainable and uniquely Chicago.”
12. Kristen Kaza, @partymomchi
WHO: Founder, Slo ’Mo (@slomoparty)
WHY: If the question is “Where’s the party?”, Kristen Kaza knows the answer. Spreading joy across Chicago and beyond with her legendary LGBTQ+ event series Slo ’Mo, the award-winning producer and Logan Square resident specializes in “parties with a purpose” at venues ranging from Navy Pier and Millennium Park to Metro/smartbar and the Promontory. This fall, mark your calendars for the outfit’s iconic Halloween party at Avondale’s Sleeping Village (sleeping-village. com) on Oct. 25.
THE PERFECT PARTY ALWAYS HAS: “Sade. Their timeless, classy and sensual music evokes the exact vibes at any event, forever.”
13. Azeeza Khan, @azeeza
WHO: Designer, Azeeza @azeezaofficial
WHY: Eleven years after establishing her eponymous fashion brand, Khan is known the world over for her gorgeously draped, feminine, briliantly hand-dyed garments—and her status as a noted influencer gives her that rarest of combinations: style and substance. This fall, look for the brand to introduce special occasion wear at lower price points than the current collections, plus the addition of new styles featuring more fitted cuts in contrast to the line’s signature voluminous garments.
MY STYLE ICON: “Madame Grès is an inspiration season after season.”
14./15. Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark, @chefbeverlykim/@johnnycooks
WHO: Owners, Parachute Hi-Fi (parachuterestaurant.com) and Anelya (anelyarestaurant.com)
WHY: Because as two of the Chicago food scene’s most compelling figures, they continue to surprise and delight. Case in point? Ten years after almost singlehandedly making Avondale a dining must-visit neighborhood with their thrilling restaurant Parachute, the award-winning pair of Avondale residents unceremoniously closed it to reconcept the space as Parachute Hi-Fi, a fusion of “culinary cocktails, high-fidelity sound and creative Korean-American cuisine” that has instantly become the most anticipated new opening of the year.
CURRENT SOUNDTRACK: Kim: Jubilee, Japanese Breakfast (“I feel like her music and her personal background being Korean-American hit home with me.”) Clark: Mm...Food, MF Doom (“There’s an obvious connection with all the food references, but I always admired Doom because he was able to earn his sage-like status and success without sacrificing or compromising his artistic vision.”)
16. Donnie Madia, @donniemadia
WHO: Founding partner, One Off Hospitality (oneoffhospitality.com)
WHY: Donnie Madia has been a respected fixture on the Chicago food scene since opening the smash fine dining spot Blackbird in 1997—but with a memorable appearance on FX’s The Bear, the always-dapper Chicago native cemented his spot in the city’s pantheon of culinary cool.
GO-TO DISH AT ONE OFF: “Right now I’m particularly into a wonderful pasta at avec River North—it has English peas, handmade extruded rigatoni with spring onions, shiitake mushrooms and prosciutto crumb. It’s prepared daily in our kitchen by a talented young man named Dan Falkiewicz, and it’s so seasonal, it tastes like summer on a plate.”
17. Miranda Rae Mayo, @mrmayo
WHO: Actress, Chicago Fire
WHY: We love the One Chicago trio of TV shows—Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med: They’re a boon to the local film industry, they continue to be a powerhouse in the network ratings and, simply put, they’re good storytelling. After 169 episodes and nine seasons (and counting) as Lieutenant Stella Kidd, Chicago Fire’s Miranda Rae Mayo is among the smash series’ most beloved stars. And she’s not just a compelling actress; the charismatic Fresno, Calif. native is also a budding singer-songwriter and a board member for the Holistic Life Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the social/emotional, academic and mental health of low-income and BIPOC underserved communities.
18. NoName, @nonamehiding
WHO: Rapper and poet
WHY: From competing as a teen in local slam poetry contest Louder than a Bomb to guesting on a Chance the Rapper track and now touring the world as an acclaimed performer with recent slots at both Glastonbury and the Newport Jazz Festival, this Bronzeville native may be Chicago’s most important rapper right now, her smooth flow and soulful vibes pairing perfectly with the stark honesty of her lyrics.
19. Lily Pike
WHO: Founder, The LAB Artist Agency (@labartists)
WHY: If there’s a major photo shoot happening around town, chances are Lily Pike has a hand in it. The Maine-raised former model’s stable of talent encompasses award-winning stylists nationwide for everything from food and fashion to props and product, hair, makeup and more. As Chicago’s entertainment scene blossoms, look to this Bucktown resident and aspiring pilot’s agency to continue making a serious stamp on the city and beyond.
2024 HAS TAUGHT ME: “That it’s OK to say ‘no’ when a project or situation will not foster a positive outcome. My prior career-driven mentality of working harder, faster and longer than my peers is outdated. Life is short and I want to enjoy as many moments as possible; I want to be present. Boundaries babe—gotta love ’em!”
20. Angel Reese, @angelreese5
WHO: Forward, Chicago Sky (sky.wnba.com)
WHY: The WNBA’s “Chi-Town Barbie” went from draft darling straight out of LSU to starting forward in the Windy City in a matter of weeks, and she’s made an immediate impact, having already been named a WNBA All-Star. Chicago sports fans love her grit, determination and sheer talent—and with her and fellow draftee Kamilla Cardoso on the squad, the sky is certainly the limit for Chicago’s WNBA team.
21. David Sanchez, @sanchanisto
WHO: Founder, 10 MGMT (@10mgmt)
WHY: Having been a model for 26 years for brands like Nike, Gucci and Giorgio Armani, Sanchez knows the talent world inside and out—and he’s proven himself equally adept at managing the business of it with his boutique modeling and influencer agency, which just celebrated 10 years and has become known as an inclusive, diverse go-to for top Midwestern talent. Representing more than 500 talents across the nation and with more than 13,000 bookings resulting in more than $9 million in revenue, Sanchez continues to make a serious impact in the industry in Chicago and beyond.
I WOULD TELL MY 20-YEAR-OLD SELF: “If a door opens, walk through it. Say yes now and figure out the rest later. Oh, and don’t forget, it’s OK to fail.”
22. Evan Sheehan, @evantsheehan
WHO: Photographer and cofounder, Breakfast for Dinner (@breakfast.for.din)
WHY: Sheehan’s penchant for whip-smart production wrapped in neon-drenched, eye-poppingly irreverent visuals have made his Breakfast for Dinner a go-to for both Chicago-based and global brands that are willing to think (and look) outside the box, and that same LaChapelle-esque eye infuses the Ukrainian Village resident’s own photography, making him one of our current fave visual artists to watch. Sheehan’s next big project? Transforming a 15,000-squarefoot warehouse in Logan Square into a studio space/event venue with husband/creative partner Alex Wallbaum and BFD co-founder Jonathon Spagat.
MY AESTHETIC IN THREE WORDS: “Unserious, referential, calculated.”
23./24. Teresa Surratt and David Hernandez
WHO: Cofounders, Camp Wandawega (@campwandawega)
WHY: These two high-powered creatives (she’s formerly of Ogilvy, he’s the current CCO at Allstate) may not have invented #camplife, but with their Elkhorn, Wis. former church-camp-turned-adult-escape Camp Wandawega—named one of Travel & Leisure’s“Greatest Hotels in the World”—they have certainly perfected it. Both effortlessly chic and down-to-earth woodsy, it’s a place where creatives let their inner children run free and it has spawned a growing brand of lifestyle products (jackets, tennis balls, camo hats) that capture the place’s powerfully nostalgic vibe. Coming up next for the duo: the launch of Two-Hearted IPA x Wandawega products, a Wandawega Bedding Collection from target.com and more.
25. Daniel Thomas
WHO: Deputy director, Illinois Office of Tourism (@enjoyillinois)
WHY: The New Zealand-born hospitality veteran has turned his experience in global hospitality and his storytelling skills to beefing up Illinois’ $78 billion tourism industry. One of his first major initiatives has already won him fans across the Land of Lincoln, as he kicked off his tenure by embarking on a comprehensive statewide listening tour to foster direct dialogue among state officials, tourism leaders, business owners and community advocates.
FAVE ILLINOIS HIDDEN GEM: “For me, it’s the people of Illinois. They are humble but proud. Helpful and kind and always willing to help others. They make our Midwestern destination a memorable experience, giving us a real American edge."
26. Jeremy Allen White, @jeremyallenwhitefinally
WHO: Actor, The Bear
WHY: He may have been Brooklyn-born and -raised, but after 10 years in the South Side-set Shameless and now as the star of the titanic Chicago culinary scene smash The Bear, Jeremy Allen White is officially a Chicagoan. No TV show has so realistically depicted the intensity of a restaurant kitchen, and White matches it with a can’t-look-away performance that both leaves you gutted—and has you craving more
27. Caleb Williams, @ayeeecaleb
WHO: Quarterback, Chicago Bears
WHY: The Chicago Bears faithful have high hopes for the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, and whether or not the former USC QB will lift the team to greatness will be the biggest question in Windy City sports for the next few months. Throw in the team’s other offseason acquisitions, and the charismatic Williams has plenty of support that will have his back and help the cause.
28. Erick Williams, @cheferickwilliams
WHO: Owner and executive chef, Virtue (virtuerestaurant.com)
WHY: Williams isn’t just a James Beard Award-winning chef and thriving restauranteur. Because of his passion for activism, philanthropy and mentorship, he is creating a new model of culinary leader, who does as much good as he creates experiences that are delicious—and that’s something to aspire to.
LOOKING FORWARD TO: “I’m excited about the upcoming fall season, especially as we prepare to unveil Cantina Rosa, a new Mexican cocktail bar that celebrates Virtue general manager and my long-time colleague Jesus Garcia’s Mexican heritage, just as Virtue and Daisy’s honor Black culture in Hyde Park.”
PHOTO: BY HUGE GALDONES
29. Emily Sachs Wong, @emilysachswong
WHO: Founder, Emily Sachs Wong Group
WHY: In a town obsessed with luxury real estate, Emily Sachs Wong is the queen bee, with annual sales volume exceeding $185 million dollars and a total career sales record of over $2.6 billion. Just as interesting? She came about her laser focus on customer service as the head of catering and sales for none other than Lettuce Entertain You.
IF I WEREN’T IN REAL ESTATE…:“I definitely would have had a cooking show. I have a couple VCR tapes of me doing that, which we could laugh over. Now, I see myself as a writer, so for sure need to publish something. I also love development and have done a few projects over the years which is also super fun. I feel so fortunate to have a busy mind which is always trying new ideas.”
30. Jamila Woods, @jamillawoods
WHO: Poet, songwriter and performing artist
WHY: Soulful sounds, poetic lyrics and irresistible vocal stylings have made Jamila Woods one of the city’s most compelling talents, and her latest album, Water Made Us, cements her status as an international artist to watch. An upcoming fall tour with Tank and the Bangas is set to further raise the St. Ignatius grad’s profile.
Photography by: Curt R. Bailey photo courtesy of Related Midwest; Kimberly Bares photo COURTESY OF THE MAGNIFICENT MILE ASSOCIATION; Susan V. Booth photo by JOE MAZZA/BRAVE LUX; Nick Cave photo by Sandro; Philip B. Clement photo COURTESY OF WORLD BUSINESS CHICAGO; Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis photo by FRANK ISHMAN; Michael M. Edwards photo COURTESY OF PURPLE PHOTO; Jonathon Eig PHOTO BY TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE VIA GETTY IMAGES; Brendan Fernandes PHOTO: BY KEVIN PENCZAK; Ian Gerard PHOTO BY: ENRIQUE VILLALON; Kristen Kaza PHOTO BY: PAUL OCTAVIOUS; Azeeza Khan PHOTO BY COURTNEY NUSS; Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark PHOTO BY: MATT HAAS; Donnie Madia PHOTO BY: ANNA CILLAN; Miranda Rae Mayo PHOTO BY: ALEX HAZEL; NoName PHOTO BY: TIM MOSENFELDER/GETTY IMAGES; Lily Pike PHOTO BY: GERBER SCARPELLI PHOTOGRAPHY; Angel Reese PHOTO BY: COOPER NEILL/GETTY IMAGES; David Sanchez PHOTO BY: ALDRIN DEL CARMEN; Evan Sheehan PHOTO: BY ALEX WALLBAUM; Teresa Surratt and David Hernandez PHOTO BY ANDY BERNDT; Daniel Thomas PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE ILLINOIS OFFICE OF TOURISM; Jeremy Allen White PHOTO: BY DAN DOPERALSKI/GETTY IMAGES; Caleb Williams PHOTO BY MICHAEL REAVES/GETTY IMAGES; Erick Williams PHOTO: COURTESY OF EMILY SACHS WONG; Emily Sachs Wong PHOTO: BY HUGE GALDONES; Jamila Woods PHOTO BY BENNETT RAGLIN/GETTY IMAGES; Kristen Kaza photo by PAUL OCTAVIOUS;
