Billionaires In Illinois: A Look At The Wealthiest People In The Prairie State

The 10 most influential billionaires in politics Washington Post
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Illinois is home to some of the wealthiest people in the country, including billionaires who have made their fortunes in a wide range of industries. From finance to technology, real estate to retail, these individuals have amassed incredible wealth and have made a significant impact on the state's economy and society. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the billionaires in Illinois, their net worth, and their contributions to the state and beyond.

Who are the billionaires in Illinois?

According to Forbes' 2021 Billionaires List, there are 17 billionaires who call Illinois their home. They include:
  • Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel, with a net worth of $22.5 billion
  • Jennifer Pritzker, heiress to the Hyatt hotel fortune and founder of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, with a net worth of $3.5 billion
  • Sam Zell, founder and chairman of Equity Group Investments, with a net worth of $5.1 billion
  • Neil Bluhm, founder and chairman of JMB Realty Corporation, with a net worth of $3.2 billion
  • Joe Mansueto, founder of Morningstar, with a net worth of $4.2 billion
  • Eric Lefkofsky, co-founder of Groupon and founder of Tempus, with a net worth of $9.9 billion
  • Tom Ricketts, owner of the Chicago Cubs, with a net worth of $2.1 billion

How did these billionaires make their fortune?

The billionaires in Illinois come from a variety of industries, including finance, real estate, technology, and retail. Ken Griffin, for example, made his fortune in finance, founding Citadel in 1990 and growing it into one of the largest hedge funds in the world. Jennifer Pritzker inherited her wealth from the Hyatt hotel empire, but has also made significant contributions to the military and LGBTQ+ communities. Eric Lefkofsky co-founded Groupon, but has since moved on to focus on his health-tech company, Tempus, which uses data to improve cancer treatment.

What impact have these billionaires had on Illinois?

The billionaires in Illinois have had a significant impact on the state's economy and society. Many of them have donated large sums of money to charitable causes, such as education, healthcare, and the arts. Jennifer Pritzker, for example, donated $25 million to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to establish the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. Ken Griffin has donated millions to various organizations, including the Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Chicago. In addition to their philanthropic efforts, many of these billionaires have also invested in Illinois-based businesses and startups, helping to create jobs and drive innovation. For example, Eric Lefkofsky's Tempus has raised over $1 billion in funding and employs over 1,500 people in Illinois, while Joe Mansueto's Morningstar has over 5,000 employees worldwide, with a significant presence in Chicago.

What do people who know these billionaires think of them?

The response to these billionaires varies depending on who you ask. Some see them as innovative entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to the state and beyond, while others criticize them for their immense wealth and the impact it has on income inequality. However, it's clear that these individuals have had a significant impact on Illinois and will continue to do so in the years to come.

Billionaires in Illinois: A Summary Table

To help summarize the net worth and industries of the billionaires in Illinois, we've put together the following table:
NameNet WorthIndustry
Ken Griffin$22.5 billionFinance
Jennifer Pritzker$3.5 billionHotels, Military, LGBTQ+ Advocacy
Sam Zell$5.1 billionReal Estate
Neil Bluhm$3.2 billionReal Estate, Gaming
Joe Mansueto$4.2 billionFinance, Media (Morningstar)
Eric Lefkofsky$9.9 billionTechnology (Groupon, Tempus)
Tom Ricketts$2.1 billionBaseball (Chicago Cubs)

Conclusion

Illinois is home to some of the wealthiest people in the country, including billionaires who have made their fortunes in a wide range of industries. While opinions about these individuals may vary, it's clear that they have had a significant impact on the state's economy and society, through their philanthropic efforts, investments in local businesses, and more. Whether you see them as heroes or villains, there's no denying the influence that these billionaires in Illinois have had and will continue to have in the years to come.

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