right|thumb|250x250px|[[Flag of Illinois|State flag of Illinois]]

right|thumb|250x250px|Location of Illinois in the U.S. mapThis is a list of notable individuals who come from the state of Illinois, a state within the larger United States of America.

A

Aa–Ag

  • Emma Abbott (1850–91), opera soprano. Born and raised in Illinois until age 16; funeral held in Illinois, but interred in Massachusetts.
  • David Abidor (born 1992), soccer player
  • Margaret Abbott (1878–1955), first modern-era Olympic United States female champion. Lived during her teens and learned her Olympic sport of golf in Illinois.
  • Robert Sengstacke Abbott (1868–1940), African-American lawyer, newspaper publisher and editor. Studied law and had his newspaper career in Chicago.
  • Jessica Abel (born 1969), comic book writer and artist. Born and educated in Illinois.
  • Gertrude Abercrombie (1909–77), surrealist painter. Lived most of her life in Chicago and known for her association with the city.
  • Max Abramovitz (1908–2004), architect. Born and college-educated in Illinois.
  • Ben Abruzzo (1930–85), balloonist. Born and college-educated in Illinois.
  • Brett Adcock (born 1986), founder of Figure AI, a robotics company
  • Tony Accardo (1906–1992), organized crime figure. Born and lived entire life in Chicago metropolitan area.
  • Barbara Acklin (1943–98), singer. Came to Illinois aged five and resided until her death.
  • Ron Acks (1944–2023), NFL linebacker 1968–76. Acks was born, attended high school and college in Illinois.
  • Valdas Adamkus (born 1926), president of Lithuania 1998–2009. Lived in Illinois for a number of years after emigrating to the United States from Lithuania, getting a college degree and entering Chicago politics.
  • Mike Adamle, NFL and Northwestern running back, TV personality
  • Berle Adams (1917–2009), founder of Mercury Records. Born and lived first thirty years in Illinois.
  • Franklin P. Adams (1881–1960), writer, member of Algonquin Round Table. Described as "a native of Chicago", he found fame and lived most of his life in New York.
  • John Hicks Adams (1820–78), gunslinger, Wild West lawman. Born and attended college in Illinois.
  • Katrina Adams (born 1968), president of United States Tennis Association. Born and educated in Illinois.
  • Robert McCormick Adams Jr., anthropologist, secretary of Smithsonian Institution
  • Jane Addams, social worker, teacher, Nobel Peace Prize recipient
  • George Ade, author and cartoonist (born in Indiana)
  • Paul Adelstein, actor, Prison Break, Private Practice
  • Victor Adeyanju, NFL defensive end 2006–10
  • Dankmar Adler, architect (born in Germany)
  • David Adler, architect (born in Wisconsin)
  • Lou Adler, music producer in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • Max Adler, founder of Adler Planetarium
  • Scott Adsit, actor, writer, improvisational comedian, 30 Rock, Big Hero 6
  • John Agar, actor, Sands of Iwo Jima, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, husband of Shirley Temple
  • Alex Agase, football player for Cleveland Browns; head coach of Northwestern, Purdue
  • Lou Agase, football player for Illinois, coach of CFL's Toronto Argonauts
  • Milton Ager, composer, "Ain't She Sweet", "Happy Days Are Here Again"
  • Benjamin Agosto, ice dancer, 2006 Turin Olympics silver medalist
  • Mark Aguirre, forward for DePaul, NBA's Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons; top pick of 1981 NBA draft

Ah–Am

thumb|150px|[[Mike Alstott]]

  • Gene Ahern, cartoonist
  • Joe Aiello, organized crime figure (born in Sicily)
  • Joseph Aiuppa, organized crime figure
  • Stan Albeck, basketball head coach, Bradley, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls
  • Abraham Adrian Albert, mathematician
  • Eddie Albert, Oscar-nominated actor, Green Acres, Switch, Oklahoma!, Roman Holiday, The Heartbreak Kid, The Longest Yard
  • Frankie Albert, quarterback and head coach for San Francisco 49ers, College Football Hall of Famer
  • Bruce Alberts, biochemist, original author of Molecular Biology of the Cell
  • Steve Albini, musician, producer
  • Ted Albrecht, offensive tackle for Purdue and Chicago Bears
  • Ivan Albright, painter
  • James L. Alcorn, governor and U.S. Senator of Mississippi
  • Jody Alderson, swimmer, 1952 Olympic bronze medalist
  • Dorothy Aldis, children's author
  • J. Frank Aldrich, 19th Century U.S. Representative (born in Wisconsin)
  • Gus Alex, organized crime figure
  • Dan Alexander, football player, 2000 Alamo Bowl MVP
  • Houston Alexander, mixed martial artist
  • Linsey Alexander, blues musician (born in Mississippi)
  • Lorez Alexandria, jazz and gospel singer
  • Nelson Algren, author, The Man with the Golden Arm, A Walk on the Wild Side (born in Michigan)
  • Rita Ali, mayor of Peoria
  • Saul Alinsky, founder of modern community organizing and writer
  • Paul Alivisatos, president, University of Chicago
  • Brian Allard, MLB pitcher 1979–81
  • Jeff Allen, NFL offensive guard 2012–19
  • Joan Allen, Oscar-nominated actress, The Bourne Ultimatum, The Contender, The Upside of Anger, Nixon, Face/Off
  • Karen Allen, actress, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Animal House, Scrooged
  • Leo E. Allen, 14-term U.S. Representative
  • Leslie Allen, auto racer, ninth in 1930 Indianapolis 500
  • Rex Allen Jr., country singer, narrator of film Me, Myself and Irene
  • Ronnie Allen, professional pool player
  • Sandy Allen, tallest U.S. woman
  • Steve Allen, TV personality, actor, author, songwriter, first host of The Tonight Show (born in New York)
  • Tony Allen, NBA forward 2004–18, member of 2008 champion Boston Celtics
  • William J. Allen, judge, U.S. Representative (born in Tennessee)
  • Justin Allgaier, auto racer, 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series champion
  • Fran Allison, radio-TV personality, Kukla, Fran and Ollie (born in Iowa)
  • Luther Allison, blues musician (born in Arkansas)
  • Samuel Allison, prominent physicist who worked on Manhattan Project
  • Arthur Allyn Jr., co-owner of Chicago White Sox in 1960s
  • John Allyn, owner of White Sox 1961–75
  • Alfred S. Alschuler, architect
  • Mike Alstott, fullback for Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1996–2007, Super Bowl XXXVII champion
  • Jonathan Alter, journalist and author
  • Michael J. Alter, real estate developer, owner of WNBA's Chicago Sky
  • John Peter Altgeld, Governor of Illinois 1893–97 (born in Germany)
  • Dave Altizer, MLB infielder 1906–11
  • Scott Altman, astronaut, four Space Shuttle missions
  • John Altschuler, screenwriter, Blades of Glory, Silicon Valley
  • Anita Alvarez, Cook County State's Attorney 2008–16
  • John Alvin, actor, The Beast with Five Fingers, Objective, Burma!
  • Kiran Amegadjie, lineman for Yale, third-round pick in 2024 NFL draft
  • A.A. Ames, four-term mayor of Minneapolis
  • Edward Ames, founder, McKendree University (born in Ohio)
  • Julia A. Ames, 19th Century journalist
  • Knowlton Ames, college football player and coach
  • Rosemary Ames, actress, Our Little Girl, Pursued
  • Stephen E. Ambrose, author, historian, Band of Brothers
  • The American Breed, band, "Bend Me, Shape Me"
  • Warren Amling, Ohio State athlete in College Football Hall of Fame
  • Albert Ammons, jazz musician
  • Gene Ammons, jazz musician
  • Morey Amsterdam, actor and comedian, The Dick Van Dyke Show

An–Ar

thumb|192x192px|[[Gillian Anderson]]

thumb|189x189px|[[Ann-Margret]]

  • Merry Anders, actress, The Dalton Girls, Hear Me Good, Tickle Me
  • Arthur E. Andersen, founder of accounting firm
  • Alexandria Anderson, NCAA champion sprinter
  • Andree Anderson, ice dancer, member of Figure Skating Hall of Fame
  • Craig Anderson, NHL goaltender 2002–23
  • Gillian Anderson, Emmy Award-winning actress, The X-Files, The House of Mirth, Bleak House, Hannibal
  • J. J. Anderson, forward for Bradley and Utah Jazz
  • John Anderson, actor, Ride the High Country, Psycho
  • John B. Anderson, politician, U.S. Representative 1961–81, U.S. presidential candidate
  • Ken Anderson, NFL quarterback 1971–86, four-time Pro Bowl selection
  • Kevin Anderson, actor, Sleeping with the Enemy, Miles from Home, Hoffa
  • Kurt Anderson, football player and coach
  • Laurie Anderson, performance artist and musician
  • Les Anderson, auto racer, 11th in 1947 Indy 500
  • Margaret C. Anderson, editor and publisher (born in Indiana)
  • Nick Anderson, NBA and Illinois guard, first Orlando Magic draft pick
  • Peggy Anderson, author and journalist
  • Philip Warren Anderson, Nobel Prize-winning physicist
  • Ray Anderson, musician
  • Robert Orville Anderson, founder of ARCO oil company
  • Sherwood Anderson, novelist (born in Ohio)
  • Walter Stratton Anderson, naval vice admiral, battleship commander
  • Fern Andra, circus performer, actress, director
  • Emil Andres, auto racer, drove in nine Indianapolis 500s
  • Bruce Andrews, poet
  • Stanley Andrews, actor, Death Valley Days
  • Ethel Percy Andrus, founder of AARP
  • Elmer Angsman, running back for Notre Dame, Chicago Cardinals
  • John Ankerberg, Christian evangelist, TV presenter
  • Morris Ankrum, actor
  • Ann-Margret, Oscar-nominated actress, Bye Bye Birdie, Viva Las Vegas, Carnal Knowledge, The Cincinnati Kid, Tommy (born in Sweden)
  • Beulah Annan, inspiration for "Roxie Hart" in play and film Chicago
  • Moses Annenberg, newspaper publisher (born in Prussia)
  • Frank Annunzio, politician (Democrat), 13-term U.S. Representative
  • Cap Anson, Hall of Fame infielder for Chicago White Stockings (born in Iowa)
  • Bessie Anthony, golfer, U.S. Women's Amateur champion
  • Luis Aparicio, Hall of Fame infielder for Chicago White Sox (born in Venezuela)
  • Clarence Applegran, basketball coach, Kentucky 1924–25
  • Amy Applegren, pro baseball player
  • Arthur I. Appleton, businessman, thoroughbred owner
  • Luke Appling, Hall of Fame infielder for White Sox (born in North Carolina)
  • Lee Archambault, astronaut
  • Jim Ardis, mayor of Peoria 2005–21
  • Robert Ardrey, playwright and screenwriter, Khartoum, The Three Musketeers
  • Leslie C. Arends, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative 1943–74, Majority and Minority Whip
  • Mark Arie, two gold medals in shooting at 1920 Olympics
  • Hub Arkush, publisher of Pro Football Weekly
  • Alice Arlen, screenwriter, Silkwood, Alamo Bay
  • Andrew Watson Armour III, meat-packing executive, philanthropist
  • Philip Danforth Armour, businessman, founder of Armour and Company (born in New York)
  • Terron Armstead, NFL offensive lineman
  • Matthew John Armstrong, actor, Heroes
  • Otis Armstrong, running back for Denver Broncos 1973–80
  • Scot Armstrong, screenwriter, Old School, Starsky & Hutch
  • Billy Arnold, auto racer, won 1930 Indianapolis 500
  • Billy Boy Arnold, blues musician
  • Isaac N. Arnold, U.S. Representative, author (born in New York)
  • Cliff Arquette, comedian and actor (born in Ohio)
  • Lewis Arquette, actor, Sherlock Hound, Camp Candy, The Waltons
  • Patricia Arquette, Oscar and Emmy-winning actress, Boyhood, Medium, True Romance, CSI: Cyber
  • Gerry Arrigo, MLB pitcher 1961–70

As–Az

thumb|187x187px|[[John Ashcroft]]

  • Jon Asamoah, NFL offensive lineman 2010–15
  • Diandra Asbaty, bowler
  • Tom Ashbrook, NPR personality
  • John Ashcroft, politician (Republican), U.S. Attorney General 2001–05, Missouri senator and governor
  • Darryl Ashmore, NFL tackle 1992–2002
  • James N. Ashmore, basketball coach, North Carolina, Iowa, Washington State, DePauw
  • Ed Asner, Emmy-winning actor, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Up, Elf (born in Missouri)
  • Mary Astor, Oscar-winning actress, The Maltese Falcon, Dodsworth, Meet Me in St. Louis, The Great Lie
  • Joe Astroth, MLB catcher 1945–56
  • Ira Aten, lawman, Texas Ranger
  • Doug Atkins, defensive end for Chicago Bears 1955–66, Hall of Fame (born in Tennessee)
  • Smith D. Atkins, editor, Civil War colonel (born in New York)
  • Edith Atwater, actress, True Grit, Family Plot, The Body Snatcher
  • Richard and Florence Atwater, co-authors of Mr. Popper's Penguins
  • Steve Atwater, NFL safety 1989-99, twice Super Bowl champion with Denver Broncos
  • James T. Aubrey Jr., television executive, president of CBS
  • David Auburn, playwright, Proof
  • Jean M. Auel, author, The Clan of the Cave Bear
  • James Augustine, center for Illinois' 2005 NCAA basketball runners-up
  • Jeff Austin, mandolinist, singer
  • Lovie Austin, jazz musician (born in Tennessee)
  • Jason Avant, NFL wide receiver
  • Charles Avery, silent film actor, Keystone Cops
  • Sewell Avery, chairman of Montgomery Ward, first president of Museum of Science and Industry (born in Michigan)
  • John Avildsen, Oscar-winning film director, Rocky, Save the Tiger, Lean on Me, The Karate Kid
  • David Axelrod, political advisor to Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, author, TV commentator
  • Brendon Ayanbadejo, NFL linebacker 1999–2012
  • Marion Aye, silent-film actress
  • David Ayer, screenwriter and director, Training Day, End of Watch, Fury
  • Edward E. Ayer, benefactor and first president of Field Museum of Natural History (born in Massachusetts)
  • Harriet Hubbard Ayer, 19th Century cosmetics maven, journalist
  • Bill Ayers, founder and member of Weather Underground
  • Reiko Aylesworth, actress, Michelle Dessler on 24
  • Agnes Ayres, silent-film actress
  • Irving Azoff, music executive, head of Ticketmaster, Live Nation Entertainment

B

Ba–Bd

thumb|225x225px|[[Adam Baldwin]]

thumb|225x225px|[[Ike Barinholtz]]

  • Richard Bach, author, Jonathan Livingston Seagull
  • Charlie Bachman, football coach, Kansas State, Florida, Michigan State in College Football Hall of Fame
  • Bill Bachrach, Olympic swim coach
  • Henry Bacon, architect of the Lincoln Memorial
  • Mary Bacon, jockey
  • Benjamin F. Bailar, United States Postmaster General 1975–78
  • Amari Bailey, NBA basketball player
  • Chantal Bailey, Olympic speed skater
  • Cory Bailey, MLB pitcher 1993–2002
  • Willis J. Bailey, Governor of Kansas 1903–05
  • Barbara Bain, actress, Mission: Impossible
  • Harold Baines, Hall of Fame outfielder, coach for Chicago White Sox (born in Maryland)
  • Butch Baird, pro golfer
  • Leah Baird, silent-film actress
  • David J. Baker, judge, U.S. Senator for 29 days (born in Connecticut)
  • David J. Baker Jr., 19th Century judge
  • Edward Dickinson Baker, U.S. Representative of Illinois, U.S. Senator of Oregon (born in England)
  • Jehu Baker, 19th Century politician, U.S. Representative (born in Kentucky)
  • Ralph Baker, Northwestern halfback in College Football Hall of Fame
  • LaVern Baker, singer in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • Two Ton Baker, entertainer, radio-TV personality
  • A. J. Balaban, theater owner and showman
  • Barney Balaban, Hollywood studio chief
  • Bob Balaban, actor, Gosford Park, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Catch-22, Waiting for Guffman
  • Frank Balasz, NFL running back 1939–45
  • Marcelo Balboa, pro soccer player
  • H.C. Baldridge, Governor of Idaho 1927–31
  • Adam Baldwin, actor, voice actor, blogger, Chuck, Full Metal Jacket, Serenity, My Bodyguard
  • Kate Baldwin, actress, singer
  • Rosecrans Baldwin, novelist, essayist
  • George Ball, diplomat, adviser to JFK and LBJ, U.S. Ambassador to United Nations
  • Carl Ballantine, magician, comedian, actor, McHale's Navy
  • Edwin Balmer, editor of Redbook magazine
  • Dan Balz, journalist for Washington Post
  • Eddie Bane, MLB pitcher and executive
  • Ted Banker, NFL lineman 1983–91
  • Ernie Banks, 19-year infielder for Chicago Cubs, in Baseball Hall of Fame (born in Texas)
  • Kelcie Banks, boxer, 1987 Pan American Games champion
  • Jerry Barber, golfer, winner of 1961 PGA Championship
  • Curt Barclay, MLB pitcher 1957–59
  • Dave Barclay, golfer, winner of 1947 NCAA championship
  • Paris Barclay, Emmy-winning TV director and producer, In Treatment, NYPD Blue, Cold Case
  • John Bardeen, winner of two Nobel Prizes in Physics (born in Wisconsin)
  • Jesse Barfield, outfielder for Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees 1981–92
  • Ike Barinholtz, actor, comedian, voice actor, Mad TV, The Mindy Project, The Awesomes
  • Al Barlick, Hall of Fame baseball umpire
  • Brandon Barnes, rock musician in band Rise Against
  • Brenda C. Barnes, CEO of Sara Lee and PepsiCo
  • Edward Larrabee Barnes, architect
  • Josie Barnes, professional bowler
  • Margaret Ayer Barnes, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist
  • Charlene Barnett, pro baseball player
  • Robert Barnett, attorney
  • Carol Ross Barney, architect
  • Dale Barnstable, basketball player for Kentucky, banned by NBA
  • Tony Barone, basketball coach, Creighton, Texas A&M and NBA's Memphis Grizzlies
  • Joan Barr, mayor of Evanston 1985-93
  • Bea Barrett, golfer
  • The Barrett Sisters, gospel singers
  • Barbara Barrie, Oscar-nominated, Tony Award-winning actress, Barney Miller, Breaking Away
  • George Barris, auto customizer, created TV's Batmobile
  • Robert Barron, Catholic bishop
  • Ed Barrow, baseball manager, executive
  • John Barrowman, actor, singer, dancer (born in Scotland)
  • Jimmy Barry, 19th Century boxing champion
  • Norman Barry, head coach of 1925 NFL champion Chicago Cardinals, judge
  • Viola Barry, silent-film actress
  • Dick Bartell, shortstop, played in three World Series
  • William Bartholomay, owned baseball's Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves
  • Bonnie Bartlett, actress, St. Elsewhere (born in Wisconsin)
  • Peter Bartlett, actor, One Life to Live
  • Dan Barton, actor
  • Dick Barwegan, MLB outfielder 1947–54
  • Burt Baskin, co-founder of Baskin-Robbins
  • Mary Bass, editor of Ladies' Home Journal 1936–63
  • Granville Bates, actor
  • Bates Battaglia, NHL winger 1997–2008
  • Sam Battaglia, organized crime figure
  • Kenny Battle, player for four NBA teams
  • Lloyd Batts, pro basketball player
  • Hank Bauer, outfielder and manager, New York Yankees, Kansas City A's; decorated World War II U.S. Marine
  • Sybil Bauer, swimmer, gold medalist at 1924 Summer Olympics
  • Tom Baugh, center for Southern Illinois and Kansas City Chiefs
  • H. R. Baukhage, news broadcaster
  • Harry Neal Baum, ad executive, author (born in South Dakota)
  • L. Frank Baum, creator of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Chicago journalist (born in New York)
  • Ross Baumgarten, MLB pitcher 1978–82
  • Stan Baumgartner, MLB pitcher 1914–26 (born in Texas)
  • Harry Bay, baseball player and bandleader
  • Nora Bayes, actress, singer and songwriter, "Shine On, Harvest Moon"
  • Rick Bayless, chef and Chicago restaurateur (born in Oklahoma)
  • Beverly Bayne, silent-film actress (born in Minnesota)

Be–Bg

thumb|150px|[[Jennifer Beals]]

thumb|204x204px|[[Chloe Bennet]]

  • Brea Beal, three-time Illinois Miss Basketball, 2022 NCAA champion with South Carolina
  • Jennifer Beals, actress, Flashdance, The L Word, Devil in a Blue Dress, The Book of Eli
  • Harry P. Beam, U.S. Representative 1931–42
  • Todd Beamer, heroic passenger on United 93 on 9/11 (born in Michigan)
  • Melissa Bean, U.S. Representative 2005–11
  • Arthur M. Beaupre, ambassador
  • Warren A. Bechtel, founder of Bechtel
  • Boom-Boom Beck, MLB pitcher 1924–45
  • Fred Beck, MLB player 1909–15
  • John Beck, actor, The Other Side of Midnight, Rollerball, Dallas
  • Marilyn Beck, syndicated columnist
  • George Becker, labor leader
  • Kurt Becker, lineman for Michigan and Chicago Bears
  • Rich Becker, MLB outfielder 1993–2000
  • Aldo Beckman, journalist for Chicago Tribune
  • Arnold Orville Beckman, chemist and inventor
  • Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith, great-grandson of Abraham Lincoln
  • Hal Bedsole, tight end, College Football Hall of Fame
  • Don Beebe, wide receiver for Buffalo Bills and Super Bowl XXXI champion Green Bay Packers
  • Fred Beebe, MLB pitcher (born in Nebraska)
  • June Beebe, golfer
  • Edward Beecher, theologian and abolitionist (born in New York)
  • Chad Beguelin, Broadway lyricist, Aladdin, The Prom
  • Ken Behring, real-estate developer, owned NFL's Seattle Seahawks
  • Ed Beinor, NFL tackle 1939–42
  • Bob Bell, star of Bozo's Circus (born in Michigan)
  • Darryl M. Bell, actor, A Different World, Homeboys in Outer Space
  • Edward Price Bell, foreign correspondent
  • Josh Bell, third baseman for Baltimore Orioles 2010–11
  • Lee Phillip Bell, television personality, creator of The Young and the Restless
  • Rex Bell, actor, lieutenant governor of Nevada, husband of Clara Bow
  • William J. Bell, television producer, creator of The Bold and the Beautiful
  • Mal Bellairs, television personality (born in Wyoming)
  • Ralph Bellamy, Oscar-nominated actor, His Girl Friday, Sunrise at Campobello, Rosemary's Baby, Trading Places
  • Harry Bellaver, actor, Naked City, From Here to Eternity, Love Me or Leave Me
  • Dan Bellino, MLB umpire
  • Saul Bellow, Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, Humboldt's Gift, Seize the Day (born in Canada)
  • Louis Bellson, jazz drummer, bandleader and musician
  • James Belushi, actor, comedian, According to Jim, Saturday Night Live, Taking Care of Business, K-9
  • John Belushi, actor, comedian, Saturday Night Live, Animal House, 1941, The Blues Brothers
  • Robert Belushi, actor
  • Solon Spencer Beman, architect (born in New York)
  • Albert Benbrook, guard for Michigan, member of College Football Hall of Fame (born in Texas)
  • Bob Bender, basketball player, Indiana and Duke; head coach, Illinois State, Washington
  • Riley A. Bender, politician
  • Vincent Hugo Bendix, automotive and aviation pioneer
  • Jason Benetti, sportscaster
  • Cora Agnes Benneson, American attorney, lecturer, and writer
  • Chloe Bennet, actress, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
  • Beck Bennett, comedian, Saturday Night Live
  • Doc Bennett, baseball manager and scout
  • Gary Bennett, MLB catcher 1995–2008
  • Harve Bennett, producer, The Six Million Dollar Man, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
  • John W. F. Bennett, athlete and engineer
  • Paris Bennett, singer, American Idol
  • Rhona Bennett, singer, En Vogue
  • King Von (Dayvon Bennett), rapper
  • Jack Benny, iconic comedian, radio and TV personality and actor, The Jack Benny Program
  • Al Benson, music promoter in Blues Hall of Fame (born in Mississippi)
  • Jodi Benson, actress, voice actress, singer, The Little Mermaid
  • Jack Berch, singer and radio personality
  • Pete Bercich, linebacker for Notre Dame and Minnesota Vikings
  • Tom Berenger, Oscar-nominated actor, Platoon, Major League, The Big Chill, Sniper, Inception
  • Edgar Bergen, actor and ventriloquist, You Can't Cheat an Honest Man, father of Candice Bergen
  • Heinie Berger, MLB pitcher 1907–10
  • Norma Berger, pro baseball player
  • Wally Berger, MLB outfielder 1930–40, four-time All-Star
  • Emily Bergl, actress, Men in Trees, Good Night, Oscar (born in England)
  • Dave Bergman, MLB first baseman 1975-92, played for 1984 World Series champion Detroit Tigers
  • Sean Bergman, MLB pitcher 1993–2000
  • Nate Berkus, designer, television personality
  • Shelley Berman, comedian, actor, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Best Man, Meet the Fockers
  • Carlos Bernard, actor, 24
  • Dwight Bernard, MLB pitcher 1978–82
  • Jason Bernard, actor, All of Me, While You Were Sleeping, Liar Liar
  • Ernani Bernardi, musician and politician
  • Joseph Bernardin, Cardinal Archbishop of Archdiocese of Chicago 1982-96
  • Edward Bernds, director, Return of the Fly, Queen of Outer Space
  • Edward Allen Bernero, TV writer, director, co-creator of Third Watch
  • Ken Berry, actor, F Troop, Mayberry, R.F.D., Mama's Family
  • Marcheline Bertrand, actress, mother of Angelina Jolie
  • Dick Bertell, catcher for Cubs 1960–67
  • Jay Berwanger, football star for University of Chicago, first winner of Heisman Trophy (born in Iowa)
  • Michael Beschloss, historian and author
  • William P. Bettendorf, inventor, Bettendorf, Iowa named for him
  • Gary Bettenhausen, auto racer, third place in 1980 Indianapolis 500
  • Tony Bettenhausen, auto racer, five top-10 finishes in Indy 500
  • Tony Bettenhausen Jr., auto racer, seventh place in 1981 Indy 500
  • Tom Bettis, NFL linebacker, coach
  • John Lourie Beveridge, Civil War officer and 16th Governor of Illinois (born in New York)
  • Patrick Beverley, NBA guard
  • Kamal Bey, Greco-Roman wrestler, won Junior World Title

Bh–Bm

  • Kapri Bibbs, NFL running back
  • Bill Bidwill, owner of NFL's Arizona Cardinals 1962–2019
  • Charles Bidwill, owner of Chicago Cardinals 1933–47
  • Bret Bielema, football coach, Illinois, Arkansas, Wisconsin
  • Judy Biggert, U.S. Representative 1999–2013
  • Michael Bilandic, Mayor of Chicago 1976–79, chief justice of Illinois Supreme Court
  • Tom Billeter, basketball coach
  • George Binks, MLB outfielder 1944–48
  • Claude Binyon, journalist, screenwriter and film director
  • William Morris Bioff, organized crime figure
  • Dick Biondi, radio personality (born in New York)
  • Andrew Bird, musician
  • Chris Bisaillon, college football player
  • Frank Biscan, MLB pitcher 1942–48
  • Jerry G. Bishop, radio and TV personality
  • Joan Biskupic, journalist and author
  • William Bissell, doctor, Governor of Illinois 1857–60 (born in New York)
  • Uwe Blab, basketball player (born in Germany)
  • Black Beaver, 19th Century scout
  • Black Hawk, Sauk Indian Chief
  • Edwin Black, columnist, author of IBM and the Holocaust
  • John Charles Black, Civil War general, district attorney (born in Mississippi)
  • Jordan Black, comedy writer, actor, Halfway Home
  • Karen Black, Oscar-nominated actress, The Great Gatsby, Five Easy Pieces, Airport 1975, Family Plot
  • Quincy Black, NFL linebacker 2007–12
  • Harry Blackmun, Supreme Court justice 1970–94
  • Harry Blackstone Sr., stage magician and illusionist
  • Timothy Blackstone, railroad mogul, founder of Union Stock Yards, mayor of LaSalle, Illinois
  • Ray Blades, MLB outfielder and manager
  • Rod Blagojevich, politician (Democrat), Governor of Illinois 2003–09, imprisoned in 2012
  • Bonnie Blair, speed skater, five-time Winter Olympics gold medalist (born in New York)
  • William M. Blair, financier
  • Zach Blair, musician, Rise Against
  • John Blake, football player and head coach for Oklahoma
  • Rosa Blasi, actress, Strong Medicine, Make It or Break It, Hitz
  • Neil Blatchford, two-time Olympian speed skater
  • Tony Blazine, football player for Illinois Wesleyan and Chicago Cardinals, College Football Hall of Fame
  • Tempestt Bledsoe, actress, Vanessa Huxtable on The Cosby Show
  • Tyler Blevins, better known as "Ninja", professional gamer, Twitch streamer and YouTuber
  • Herbert Blitzstein, organized crime figure
  • Robert Bloch, writer, author of Psycho
  • John Rusling Block, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture 1981–86
  • Mary A. Blood, co-founder, Columbia College (born in New York)
  • Ike Bloom, nightclub owner during Prohibition
  • Sol Bloom, impresario, 14-term U.S. Representative of New York
  • Ossie Bluege, MLB player and manager
  • Deborah Blum, journalist and author
  • Sidney Blumenthal, journalist, aide to President Bill Clinton
  • Jimmy Blythe, musician and composer

Bn–Bo

thumb|150px|[[Alex Borstein]]

thumb|223x223px|[[Lou Boudreau]]

  • Harold P. Boas, mathematician
  • Michael Boatman, actor, writer, Spin City, China Beach, Arliss
  • Ryan Boatright, basketball player
  • Nicole Bobek, figure skater, 1995 national champion
  • Bucky Bockhorn, basketball player and broadcaster
  • Tom Bodett, ad spokesman for Motel 6
  • Samuel Bodman, politician (Republican), U.S. Secretary of Energy 2005–09
  • Tom Boerwinkle, center for Chicago Bulls 1968–78, broadcaster (born in Ohio)
  • Budd Boetticher, film director, The Tall T, The Killer Is Loose, Seven Men from Now
  • Clarence John Boettiger, journalist, son-in-law of FDR
  • Tim Bogar, MLB infielder 1993–2001 (born in Indiana)
  • Bill Bogash, pioneer of Roller Derby
  • Benedict Bogeaus, film producer, Captain Kidd, Dark Waters, The Macomber Affair
  • Suzy Bogguss, country singer
  • David Boies, attorney
  • Charles Bolles, aka Black Bart, stagecoach bandit
  • Bob Boken, MLB infielder 1933–34
  • John Boles, MLB manager and executive
  • Jared Boll, NHL wing 2007–18 (born in North Carolina)
  • Eric Bolling, anchor at Fox Business Network, co-host of The Five
  • Don Bollweg, first baseman for 1953 World Series champion Yankees
  • Shadrach Bond, first Governor of Illinois (born in Maryland)
  • Beulah Bondi, Oscar-nominated actress, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, It's a Wonderful Life (born in Indiana)
  • Winifred Bonfils, early 20th Century journalist (born in Wisconsin)
  • Mildred A. Bonham, journalist
  • Skeeter Bonn, country musician
  • Bonnie Lou, singer
  • Ron Bontemps, captain of 1952 Olympic gold-medal basketball team
  • Ed Boon, creator of Mortal Kombat video game
  • Levi Boone, former Mayor of Chicago of Know-Nothing Party (born in Kentucky)
  • William Borah, 33-year U.S. Senator of Idaho
  • George Bork, Northern Illinois quarterback, Hall of Fame
  • Bruce Borland, golf course designer
  • Alex Borstein, actress, Family Guy, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
  • Tom Bosley, actor, Happy Days, Father Dowling Mysteries, Murder, She Wrote
  • Roger Bossard, groundskeeper
  • Cathy Boswell, basketball player
  • Jim Bottomley, Hall of Fame first baseman, 1928 MVP, two-time World Series champion
  • Chesa Boudin, lawyer, District Attorney of San Francisco 2020–22 (born in New York)
  • Lou Boudreau, Hall of Fame shortstop, manager, broadcaster, 1948 MVP and World Series champion
  • Peter Bourjos, MLB outfielder 2010–19
  • Mel Bourne, Oscar-nominated art designer
  • Dick Boushka, 1956 Olympic basketball gold medalist
  • Henry S. Boutell, U.S. Representative 1897–1911 (born in Massachusetts)
  • Charles Bowden, non-fiction author, journalist, essayist
  • Michael Bowden, pitcher for Boston Red Sox 2008–12
  • Louise DeKoven Bowen, suffragist, philanthropist
  • Matt Bowen, safety for four NFL teams
  • Roger Bowen, actor, M*A*S*H, charter member of Second City (born in Rhode Island)
  • Jon Bowermaster, adventurer, National Geographic oceans expert
  • Ken Bowman, center for Super Bowl I and II champion Green Bay Packers
  • Charles Box, first African-American mayor of Rockford
  • Bruce Boxleitner, actor, science fiction novelist, Babylon 5, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, the Tron films
  • Charles Boyce, syndicated cartoonist (born in Mississippi)
  • William D. Boyce, founder of Boy Scouts of America (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Guy Boyd, actor, Streamers, Body Double
  • William W. Boyington, architect of Chicago Water Tower, mayor of Highland Park (born in Massachusetts)
  • Miles Boykin, NFL wide receiver
  • Ronnie Boykins, jazz musician
  • Lara Flynn Boyle, actress, The Practice, Twin Peaks, The Temp, Men in Black II (born in Iowa)
  • Walter J. Boyne, Air Force pilot, author, historian, director of National Air and Space Museum
  • Megan Bozek, hockey player, 2014 Winter Olympics silver medalist

Br–Bt

thumb|150px|[[Lorenzo Brown]]

thumb|150px|[[Mike Brown (ice hockey, born 1985)|Mike Brown]]

thumb|210x210px|[[Shannon Brown]]

  • Emil J. Brach, candy mogul
  • Helen Brach, candy heiress, presumed murder victim (born in Ohio)
  • Ray Bradbury, science-fiction author, Fahrenheit 451, The Illustrated Man, Something Wicked This Way Comes
  • Harold Bradley Jr., football player and actor
  • Lydia Moss Bradley, philanthropist, founder of Bradley University (born in Indiana)
  • Phil Bradley, college football and pro baseball player (born in Indiana)
  • Morris Bradshaw, wide receiver for Oakland Raiders 1974–81
  • Sufe Bradshaw, actress, Veep
  • James B. Bradwell, judge (born in England)
  • Myra Bradwell, state's first female lawyer (born in Vermont)
  • Ed Brady, linebacker for three NFL teams
  • James Brady, advisor and White House press secretary to Ronald Reagan
  • Daniel Brainard, surgeon
  • Neville Brand, actor, D.O.A., Love Me Tender, The Untouchables, Birdman of Alcatraz
  • Mark Staff Brandl, art critic, reviewer for Art in America
  • Jonathon Brandmeier, radio personality (born in Wisconsin)
  • Marlon Brando, Oscar-winning actor, The Godfather, Last Tango in Paris, Apocalypse Now (born in Nebraska)
  • Mac Brandt, actor, Prison Break
  • Erik Brann, guitarist with Iron Butterfly
  • Hugh Brannum, TV personality, Captain Kangaroo
  • Oscar Brashear, jazz musician
  • Cameron Brate, tight end for Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Zeke Bratkowski, NFL quarterback and coach
  • Andre Braugher, actor, Homicide: Life on the Street, Hack, Men of a Certain Age, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
  • Ben Braun, basketball coach, Rice, Cal, Eastern Michigan
  • Carol Moseley Braun, first African-American female U.S. Senator
  • Tamara Braun, soap opera actress
  • Anthony Braxton, jazz musician
  • Henry Skillman Breckinridge, attorney in Charles Lindbergh kidnap case, Olympic fencer
  • Brent Brede, MLB outfielder 1996–98
  • Richard L. Breen, Oscar-winning screenwriter, Titanic, Niagara, PT 109
  • Sidney Breese, judge, U.S. Senator, advocate of Illinois Central railroad
  • Buddy Bregman, music arranger
  • Edward A. Brennan, president and CEO of Sears, Roebuck & Co. 1980–95
  • Kathleen Brennan, songwriter, producer, wife of Tom Waits
  • Josh Brent, nose tackle for Dallas Cowboys
  • Jerry Bresler, songwriter, "Five Guys Named Moe"
  • Carl Brettschneider, NFL linebacker 1956–63
  • Jim Brewer, basketball player, 1972 Olympics and Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Ralph Breyer, swimmer, 1924 Olympic gold medalist
  • Jack Brickhouse, Hall of Fame baseball broadcaster
  • Paul Brickman, writer-director, Risky Business, Men Don't Leave
  • Donald Briggs, actor
  • Nancy Brinker, ambassador, winner of Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • John Briscoe, pitcher for Oakland A's 1991–96
  • Nicole Briscoe, sportscaster, Miss Teen Illinois 1998 (born in Wisconsin)
  • Frank Brisko, auto racer, 12 times in Indianapolis 500
  • Paul Brittain, actor, comedian, cast member on Saturday Night Live
  • Frederick A. Britten, 22-year U.S. Representative
  • David Broder, journalist, author, 1973 Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post columnist
  • Jayne Brook, actress, Chicago Hope, The District
  • Charles W. Brooks, World War I veteran, U.S. Senator of Illinois 1940–49
  • Gwendolyn Brooks, poet (born in Kansas)
  • Phil Brooks, professional wrestler and WWE Champion under ring name "CM Punk"
  • Rachel Brosnahan, Emmy-winning actress, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (born in Wisconsin)
  • Maya-Camille Broussard, chef and television personality
  • Bill Brown, fullback for Minnesota Vikings, four-time Pro Bowl selection
  • Bobbi Brown, CEO of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics
  • Buck Brown, cartoonist
  • Chelsea Brown, actress, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
  • Chris Brown, NFL running back 2003–09
  • Corwin Brown, defensive back, coach for New England Patriots
  • Dee Brown, guard for Illinois 2005 NCAA runners-up, Big Ten Player of the Year
  • Dee Brown, author, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, librarian and alumnus of Illinois (born in Louisiana)
  • Emil Brown, MLB outfielder 1997–2009
  • Jason Brown, figure skater, 2015 U.S. champion
  • Jesse Brown, U.S. Secretary of Veterans' Affairs 1993–97 (born in Michigan)
  • Lorenzo Brown, player in Israeli Basketball Premier League
  • Mike Brown, NHL wing 2007–16
  • Nancy Elizabeth Brown, highly decorated U.S. Navy Vice Admiral
  • Oscar Brown, songwriter
  • Patrick Brown, NFL offensive tackle 2009–13
  • Peter Brown, songwriter, "Material Girl"
  • Roy Brown, children's entertainer, The Bozo Show, Garfield Goose and Friends (born in Arizona)
  • Sergio Brown, NFL safety 2010–16
  • Shannon Brown, guard for eight NBA teams
  • Theotis Brown, NFL running back 1979–83
  • Tony Brown, NBA player and coach
  • Warren Brown, early 20th Century sportswriter
  • Orville Hickman Browning, completed U.S. Senate term of Stephen A. Douglas, U.S. Secretary of Interior (born in Kentucky)
  • David Bruce, actor, The Mad Ghoul, Lady on a Train
  • Hank Bruder, NFL guard 1931–39, Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
  • Don Brumm, NFL defensive tackle 1963–72
  • Avery Brundage, athlete, decathlon and pentathlon, President of International Olympic Committee 1952–72
  • Liz Brunner, television journalist, 1979 Miss Illinois
  • Doug Bruno, women's basketball coach, DePaul University, 2012 U.S. Olympic team
  • Hal Bruno, political journalist
  • Jalen Brunson, NBA player, two-time NCAA champion with Villanova
  • Milton Brunson, gospel musician
  • Stephen L. Brusatte, paleontologist
  • Charles W. Bryan, mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska 1915–17 and two-term Governor of Nebraska
  • Johnny Bryan, pro football player and team owner
  • Mary Baird Bryan, attorney and suffragist
  • William Jennings Bryan, politician (Democrat), U.S. Secretary of State 1913–15, presidential candidate 1896, 1900, 1908
  • Corbin Bryant, NFL player for Buffalo Bills
  • Em Bryant, guard for 1969 NBA champion Boston Celtics
  • Kelci Bryant, diver, silver medalist at 2012 London Olympics
  • Rosalyn Bryant, sprinter, silver medalist at 1976 Summer Olympics
  • Bob Bryar, musician, My Chemical Romance drummer

Bu–Bz

thumb|150px|[[Dick Butkus]]

  • Ray Buchanan, NFL defensive back 1993–2004
  • Marisa Buchheit, singer, 2014 Miss Illinois
  • Ellsworth B. Buck, U.S. Representative 1944-49
  • Frank Buck, hunter, zookeeper, actor (born in Texas)
  • Bob Buckhorn, mayor of Tampa, Florida 2011–19
  • The Buckinghams, pop group, "Kind of a Drag"
  • Tom Buckingham, film director
  • Quinn Buckner, basketball player, winner of high school, NCAA, Olympic and NBA championships
  • John Carl Buechler, horror movie writer/director, special effects artist
  • Doug Buffone, linebacker for Chicago Bears, sportscaster (born in Pennsylvania)
  • John Buford, Civil War general (born in Kentucky)
  • Napoleon Bonaparte Buford, Civil War general (born in Kentucky)
  • Kathleen Buhle, executive, ex-wife of Hunter Biden
  • Bryan Bulaga, offensive tackle for Green Bay Packers
  • Richard Bull, actor, Little House on the Prairie, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
  • Storm Bull, musician
  • John Whitfield Bunn, financier, treasurer of Abe Lincoln campaign (born in New Jersey)
  • Elbridge Ayer Burbank, artist
  • Horatio C. Burchard, director of U.S. Mint 1879–85, U.S. Representative 1869–79 (born in New York)
  • Jacob Burck, cartoonist for Chicago Sun-Times 1938–1982 (born in Poland)
  • Nick Burdi, MLB pitcher
  • Hannibal Buress, stand-up comedian, actor, The Eric Andre Show, Broad City
  • Anne M. Burke, Illinois Supreme Court justice, co-founder of Special Olympics
  • Bobby Burke, MLB pitcher 1927–37
  • Edward M. Burke, politician (Democrat), Chicago alderman 1969–2023
  • Johnny Burke, lyricist in Songwriters Hall of Fame (born in California)
  • Kathleen Burke, actress, Island of Lost Souls, The Lives of a Bengal Lancer
  • Leo Burnett, advertising executive
  • W. R. Burnett, novelist, screenwriter, Little Caesar, Nobody Lives Forever, High Sierra (born in Ohio)
  • Smiley Burnette, country singer and musician, Western actor
  • Daniel H. Burnham, architect, Chicago city planner (born in New York)
  • Ben Burns, newspaper and magazine editor
  • Heather Burns, actress, Bored to Death, Miss Congeniality and its sequel
  • Ronnie Burns, actor, Burns and Allen
  • Pete Burnside, pitcher for six MLB teams
  • Hedy Burress, actress, Foxfire, Boston Common
  • Roland Burris, U.S. Senate appointee to succeed Barack Obama 2009–10, Illinois Attorney General
  • Edgar Rice Burroughs, author, creator of Tarzan
  • Cheryl Burton, television journalist
  • Ed Busch, MLB infielder 1943–45
  • Misty Buscher, 57th mayor of Springfield
  • Samuel T. Busey, Civil War general, politician (born in Indiana)
  • Homer Bush, MLB infielder 1997–2004, member of 1998 World Series champion New York Yankees
  • Fred A. Busse, postmaster, Mayor of Chicago 1907–11
  • Cheri Bustos, U.S. Representative 2013–23
  • Fanny Butcher, influential critic and editor
  • Mike Butcher, MLB pitching coach
  • Drew Butera, catcher for 2015 World Series champion Kansas City Royals
  • Dick Butkus, Hall of Fame football player for Illinois and Chicago Bears, actor
  • Luke Butkus, NFL assistant coach
  • Brett Butler, MLB outfielder 1981–97 (born in California)
  • Daws Butler, voice of Yogi Bear, other cartoon characters (born in Ohio)
  • Jerry Butler, singer in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • Michael Butler, theatrical producer
  • Paul Butler, polo champion, founder of Oak Brook and Butler National Golf Club
  • Robert L. Butler, 50-year mayor of Marion, Illinois
  • Paul Butterfield, musician in Blues Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • Dave Butz, defensive lineman for Washington Redskins, St. Louis Cardinals, two-time Super Bowl champion
  • Ernie Byfield, hotelier, founder of The Pump Room
  • Will Bynum, NBA point guard 2006–15
  • John Byrum, screenwriter and director, Heart Beat, Duets, The Razor's Edge
  • Tim Byrdak, pitcher for five MLB teams
  • Jane Byrne, first female Mayor of Chicago
  • Jeff Bzdelik, head coach, Denver Nuggets, Air Force, Colorado, Wake Forest

C

Ca–Cd

thumb|150px|[[Sarah Wayne Callies]]

thumb|225x225px|[[Danielle Campbell]]

thumb|180x180px|[[Al Capone]]

  • Frances Xavier Cabrini, nun, missionary, canonized saint (born in Austria)
  • Leon Cadore, MLB player 1915–24, pitched a record 26 innings in one game
  • Calvin Brainerd Cady, musician and professor
  • Jack Cafferty, political commentator for CNN 2005–12
  • Beth Cahill, comedian
  • Leo Cahill, CFL coach and executive
  • Jonathan Cain, musician with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Journey
  • Frank Calabrese Sr., organized crime figure
  • Nicholas Calabrese, organized crime figure
  • Jessica Calalang, figure skater
  • Ben F. Caldwell, banker, U.S. Representative 1899–1905
  • L. Scott Caldwell, actress, Lost, Queens Supreme
  • Corky Calhoun, NBA forward 1972–80
  • Frank Caliendo, comedian
  • Earnest Elmo Calkins, advertising executive
  • Bill Callahan, head coach of Oakland Raiders 2002–03 and Nebraska Cornhuskers 2004–07
  • Frances Callier, actress, comedian, Hannah Montana
  • Sarah Wayne Callies, actress, The Walking Dead, Prison Break, Colony
  • Ann Hampton Callaway, singer and actress
  • John Callaway, public television journalist
  • Liz Callaway, singer and actress
  • Chris Calloway, NFL wide receiver 1990–2000
  • George H. Cameron, World War I general
  • Julia Cameron, writer, second wife of Martin Scorsese
  • Bruce Campbell, MLB outfielder 1930–42
  • Danielle Campbell, actress, The Originals, Tell Me a Story
  • Heather Anne Campbell, comedian
  • Louise Campbell, actress, The Star Maker, Night Club Scandal
  • Tom Campbell, U.S. Representative in California 1989–2001
  • Marvin Camras, inventor
  • Larry Canada, NFL running back 1978–81
  • Tony Canadeo, halfback for Green Bay Packers 1941–52, Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • Vincent Canby, film critic, New York Times
  • Glenn Canfield Jr., metallurgist and businessman
  • Joe Cannon, politician (Republican), Speaker of the House 1903–11 (born in North Carolina)
  • Kay Cannon, screenwriter and director, Pitch Perfect, Blockers, Cinderella
  • Jim Cantalupo, CEO of McDonald's Corporation 1991–2004
  • Shorty Cantlon, runner-up in 1930 Indianapolis 500, killed in 1947 race
  • Homaro Cantu, restaurateur (born in Washington)
  • Dominique Canty, pro basketball player
  • Al Capone, gangster, bootlegger, boss of Chicago Outfit, subject of Capone, The Untouchables (born in New York)
  • Frank Capone, organized crime figure, brother of Al (born in New York)
  • John Caponera, comedian, actor, The Good Life
  • Antonio "Tony Bananas" Caponigro, consigliere of Angelo Bruno in Philadelphia crime family
  • Buzz Capra, MLB pitcher 1971–77
  • The Caravans, gospel singers
  • Perry Caravello, comedian, skateboarder, star of Windy City Heat
  • Harry Caray, Hall of Fame broadcaster for Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs (born in Missouri)
  • Brian Cardinal, forward for six NBA teams
  • Steve Carell, actor and comedian, Second City alumnus (born in Massachusetts)
  • Gabe Carimi, All-American and NFL football player
  • Thomas Carlin, Governor of Illinois 1838–42; Carlinville named for him (born in Kentucky)
  • Amy Carlson, actress, Third Watch, Blue Bloods
  • Hal Carlson, MLB pitcher 1917–30
  • Mark Carlson, MLB umpire
  • John P. Carmichael, sportswriter
  • Chuck Carney, football and basketball All-American
  • Sue Carol, talent agent, wife of Alan Ladd
  • J. C. Caroline, halfback for Illinois, defensive back for Chicago Bears
  • Ed Carpenter, auto racer, runner-up in 2018 Indianapolis 500, pole sitter 2013, 2014, 2018
  • John Alden Carpenter, composer
  • Philo Carpenter, pharmacist
  • John Carpino, president of MLB's Los Angeles Angels
  • Allan Carr, producer, Grease, Saturday Night Fever
  • Charmian Carr, actress, The Sound of Music
  • Darleen Carr, actress, The Smith Family, The Beguiled
  • Marian Carr, actress, San Quentin, Ring of Fear
  • Chico Carrasquel, shortstop for White Sox, first Latin starter in All-Star Game (born in Venezuela)
  • Mark Carreon, MLB player 1987–96
  • Connor Carrick, NHL defenseman
  • Janet Carroll, actress, Risky Business, Family Business
  • Lucille Carroll, Hollywood studio executive
  • Jenny Lou Carson, sharpshooter, country music singer, in Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
  • Terrence C. Carson, actor, voice actor, Living Single, Star Wars: Clone Wars
  • Bryan Carter, musician, 2023 Tony Award winner for Some Like It Hot (born in Missouri)
  • Johnny Carter, singer, The Flamingos
  • Myra Carter, stage actress
  • Maurice Carthon, NFL running back and coach
  • James Cartwright, USMC general, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
  • Peter Cartwright, revivalist (born in Virginia)
  • William Frank Carver, Wild West sharpshooter and showman
  • Marty Casey, musician
  • Robert J. Casey, decorated soldier and correspondent
  • Zadok Casey, founder of Mount Vernon, Illinois, lieutenant governor, U.S. Representative (born in Georgia)
  • Vera Caspary, author, Laura
  • Bill Cassidy, U.S. Senator of Louisiana
  • Claudia Cassidy, music and drama critic
  • Dan Castellaneta, actor, The Simpsons, The Pursuit of Happyness, Happy Feet
  • John Castino, MLB infielder 1979–84, 1979 A.L. Rookie of the Year
  • Latham Castle, judge, Illinois Attorney General 1952-59
  • Leonard Caston Jr., musician and songwriter
  • Anthony Castonzo, offensive lineman for Indianapolis Colts
  • Frank Catalano, saxophonist
  • Wayne Catalano, horse racing trainer (born in Louisiana)
  • George Catavolos, football coach
  • Tamika Catchings, basketball player, winner of NCAA, WNBA and Olympic championships (born in New Jersey)
  • Mark Catlin Sr., football coach for Iowa 1906–08
  • Helen Tunnicliff Catterall, lawyer, historian
  • Phil Cavarretta, player and manager for Chicago Cubs, 1945 National League MVP

Ce–Ch

thumb|188x188px|[[Eugene Cernan]]

thumb|228x228px|[[Anna Chlumsky]]

  • Anton Cermak, politician (Democrat), assassinated Mayor of Chicago 1931–33 (born in Eastern Europe)
  • Eugene Cernan, astronaut, commander of Apollo 17
  • JoBe Cerny, actor, voice of Pillsbury Doughboy
  • Jackie Cerone, mobster
  • Exene Cervenka, singer with punk rock band X
  • Peter Cetera, singer and songwriter, "Glory of Love"
  • Tom T. Chamales, novelist
  • Wes Chamberlain, MLB outfielder 1990–95
  • John Chambers, Oscar-winning makeup artist
  • Gower Champion, multiple Tony Award-winning dancer, choreographer and actor, Show Boat, Carnival, Hello, Dolly!
  • Chance the Rapper, Grammy-winning hip-hop artist
  • Frank Chance, Hall of Fame first baseman for Cubs (born in California)
  • John Chancellor, television journalist, NBC news anchor
  • Bill Chandler, basketball coach for Marquette 1930–51
  • Gene Chandler, singer, "The Duke of Earl"
  • George Chandler, actor
  • Kyle Chandler, Emmy-winning actor, Friday Night Lights, Argo, Carol, The Wolf of Wall Street
  • Raymond Chandler, author and screenwriter, The Big Sleep, Double Indemnity, The Long Goodbye, Farewell, My Lovely
  • Melanie Chandra, actress, Code Black
  • Jay Chandrasekhar, actor, comedian, film director
  • Octave Chanute, aviation pioneer
  • John Putnam Chapin, Mayor of Chicago 1846–47 (born in Vermont)
  • Brenda Chapman, animator and film director, The Prince of Egypt, Brave
  • Charles Chapman, mayor of Fullerton, California, founder of Chapman College
  • Pleasant T. Chapman, educator, lawyer, U.S. Representative
  • Ray Chapman, infielder for Cleveland Indians 1912–20 (born in Kentucky)
  • Joe Charboneau, outfielder with Cleveland Indians 1980–82
  • Ezzard Charles, boxing champion (born in Georgia)
  • Nick Charles, broadcaster for CNN
  • Hobart Chatfield-Taylor, author
  • Wayne Chatfield-Taylor, commerce and treasury secretary to FDR
  • Cheap Trick, band from Rockford in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • Maurice Cheeks, basketball Hall of Famer and NBA coach
  • Barry Cheesman, pro golfer
  • Chris Chelios, Hall of Fame hockey player for Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks
  • Erwin Chemerinsky, law professor
  • Steve Chen, co-creator of YouTube (born in Taiwan)
  • Virginia Cherrill, actress, City Lights, wife of Cary Grant
  • Matthew A. Cherry, screenwriter and director
  • Steve Cherundolo, head coach, Los Angeles FC soccer club
  • Leonard Chess, music executive, founder of Chess Records (born in Poland)
  • Lisa Chesson, Olympic hockey player
  • Augustus Louis Chetlain, Civil War general (born in Missouri)
  • Kelly Cheung, actress, Miss World 2012 contestant (born in Hong Kong)
  • Elizabeth Pickett Chevalier, tobacco heiress, silent-film director and writer
  • Chicago, musical group, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • Judy Chicago, feminist artist and author
  • Gery Chico, lawyer, politician, chairman of Illinois State Board of Education
  • Brad Childress, head coach of Minnesota Vikings 2006–10
  • The Chi-Lites, R & B group, "Have You Seen Her"
  • Carl R. Chindblom, Cook County attorney, U.S. Representative 1919–33
  • Bob Chinn, restaurateur (born in Minnesota)
  • Burnett M. Chiperfield, veteran of Spanish–American War, U.S. Representative
  • Robert B. Chiperfield, veteran of World War I, U.S. Representative
  • Harry Chiti, catcher for four MLB teams
  • Whitney Chitwood, stand-up comedian
  • Kim Chizevsky-Nicholls, IFBB pro bodybuilder
  • Anna Chlumsky, actress, My Girl, Veep, Inventing Anna
  • Clyde L. Choate, politician, World War II Medal of Honor recipient
  • Richard Christiansen, Chicago theater critic
  • Greta Christina, atheist blogger, speaker, and author
  • William Christopher, actor, M*A*S*H
  • June Christy, big-band singer
  • Amy Chua, professor at Yale Law School, author of World on Fire
  • Kenneth Choi, actor, Sons of Anarchy, The Wolf of Wall Street
  • Marguerite S. Church, psychologist, six-term U.S. Representative, widow of Ralph Church
  • Ralph E. Church, lawyer, U.S. Representative 1935–49

Ci–Cn

thumb|188x188px|[[Hillary Clinton]]

  • Tony Cingrani, MLB pitcher 2012–18
  • Gertrude Claire, silent-film actress
  • Bud Clancy, MLB first baseman 1924–34
  • Jim Clancy, pitcher for Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros
  • Richard Clarida, economist, Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve 2018–22
  • Bridgetta Clark, silent-film actress
  • Colbert Clark, screenwriter and director
  • Danny Clark, linebacker for five NFL teams
  • Dee Clark, singer, "Raindrops"
  • George Clark, football coach, Kansas State, Nebraska
  • Keon Clark, NBA player 1998–2004
  • Mark Clark, pitcher for five MLB teams
  • Mark W. Clark, World War II general (born in South Carolina)
  • Randy Clark, NFL lineman 1980–87
  • Wesley Clark, U.S. Army general, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, 2004 presidential candidate
  • Wilbur Clark, original owner of Desert Inn hotel in Las Vegas
  • Alden W. Clausen, president of World Bank and Bank of America
  • Otis Clay, musician in Blues Hall of Fame
  • Ethel Clayton, early 20th Century actress
  • David Clennon, actor, The Thing, Star 80, Being There
  • James Cleveland, Grammy-winning gospel singer
  • Nathaniel Clifton, player for New York Knicks, Harlem Globetrotters
  • Hillary Clinton, attorney and politician, First Lady (1993–2000), U.S. Senator of New York (2000–2009) and U.S. Secretary of State; 2016 Democratic presidential nominee
  • William H. Clothier, Oscar-nominated cinematographer

Coa–Com

thumb|219x219px|[[Gary Cole]]

  • Ed Coady, quarterback of first Notre Dame victory, 1888
  • Pat Coady, Notre Dame quarterback, 1892
  • Henry Ives Cobb Jr., artist and architect
  • Junie Cobb, musician and bandleader (born in Arkansas)
  • Silas B. Cobb, industrialist (born in Vermont)
  • Ali Cobrin, actress, American Reunion, Lap Dance, The Baxters
  • Annie Swan Coburn, art collector
  • Catherine Amanda Coburn, journalist, editor
  • Diablo Cody, Oscar-winning screenwriter, Juno
  • Eleanor Coen, artist
  • Ryan Cohan, jazz pianist
  • Aaron Cohen, judoka
  • Irwin Cohen, Olympic judoka
  • Paul Cohen, music producer
  • Selma Jeanne Cohen, dance teacher, historian
  • Steve Cohen, Olympic judoka
  • David Cohn, American-Israeli basketball player
  • Sonny Cohn, trumpeter
  • Mark Cohon, commissioner of Canadian Football League 2007–15
  • Bryan Colangelo, NBA executive
  • Jerry Colangelo, chairman of USA Basketball, owned Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns
  • Stephen Colbert, comedian, alumnus of Northwestern and Second City (born in Washington, D.C.)
  • Freddy Cole, jazz musician, brother of Nat King Cole
  • Gary Cole, actor, The Brady Bunch Movie, Office Space, Midnight Caller, Fatal Vision, NCIS
  • Ike Cole, jazz musician, brother of Nat King Cole
  • James M. Cole, U.S. Deputy Attorney General under President Barack Obama
  • Nat King Cole, singer, musician and actor, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (born in Alabama)
  • Robert MacFarlan Cole III, chemical engineer, inventor, and author
  • Bessie Coleman, aviator
  • Ellis Coleman, Greco-Roman wrestler
  • Gary Coleman, actor, Arnold Jackson on Diff'rent Strokes
  • Gerald Coleman, ice hockey goalie
  • John Coleman, TV weather forecaster (born in Texas)
  • Tevin Coleman, running back for Atlanta Falcons (born in Georgia)
  • Edward Coles, secretary to James Madison, second Governor of Illinois (born in Virginia)
  • Michael Colgrass, winner of 1978 Pulitzer Prize for music
  • Ned Colletti, general manager for Los Angeles Dodgers 2006–14
  • Harold R. Collier, mayor of Berwyn, 18-year U.S. Representative
  • Joe Collier, wide receiver for Northwestern and NFL coach
  • Lou Collier, MLB player 1997–2004
  • Bob Collins, radio personality (born in Florida)
  • Cardiss Collins, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative 1973–97 (born in Missouri)
  • Chris Collins, basketball head coach for Northwestern
  • Doug Collins, NBA and Olympic basketball player, head coach of four NBA teams, TV commentator
  • Eddie Collins, Hall of Fame infielder, manager for White Sox (born in New York)
  • George W. Collins, U.S. Representative 1970–72
  • Jimmy Collins, NBA player for Chicago Bulls, head coach at Chicago State 1996–2010 (born in New York)
  • Julia Collins, 20-time winner on TV's Jeopardy!
  • Kreigh Collins, tennis player, 1899 US Open semi-finalist
  • Marva Collins, educator (born in Alabama)
  • Phil Collins, pitcher for three MLB teams
  • Sherron Collins, NBA point guard
  • James Colosimo, organized crime figure
  • George Radcliffe Colton, U.S. Representative from Nebraska, governor of Puerto Rico
  • Harvey Doolittle Colvin, city treasurer, Mayor of Chicago 1873–75 (born in New York)
  • Ruth Johnson Colvin, literacy activist, Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • Shawn Colvin, Grammy-winning singer and songwriter (born in South Dakota)
  • Harry Combes, 20-year head basketball coach at Illinois
  • Charles Comiskey, founding owner of Chicago White Sox, member of baseball Hall of Fame
  • Chuck Comiskey, owner of White Sox 1956–61
  • Grace Comiskey, owner of White Sox 1939–56
  • J. Louis Comiskey, owner of White Sox 1931–39
  • Common, Oscar, Emmy and Grammy-winning rap musician, songwriter, producer, actor
  • J. T. Compher, NHL center, 2022 Stanley Cup champion with Colorado Avalanche
  • Ann Compton, television journalist

Con–Coz

thumb|208x208px|[[Robert Conrad]]

  • Douglas Conant, CEO of the Campbell Soup Company
  • Kate Condon, opera singer
  • Zez Confrey, musician
  • Edwin H. Conger, ambassador, congressman, Civil War officer
  • Jocko Conlan, Hall of Fame baseball umpire
  • Darlene Conley, actress, The Bold and the Beautiful
  • Mike Conley Sr., athlete, gold medalist, triple jump, 1992 Barcelona Olympics
  • Bart Conner, gymnast, gold medalist, parallel bars, 1984 Los Angeles Olympics
  • Mike Connolly, gossip columnist
  • George Connor, Hall of Fame offensive tackle and linebacker for Chicago Bears
  • Jimmy Connors, tennis player, five-time US Open champion, twice Wimbledon champion, ranked No. 1 in world
  • Robert Conrad, actor, Hawaiian Eye, The Wild Wild West, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Palm Springs Weekend
  • Bill Conroy, MLB catcher 1935–44
  • Donald Conroy, Marine colonel, father of Pat Conroy
  • Sean Considine, safety for five NFL teams
  • Hollis Conway, high jumper, two-time Olympic medalist
  • Brian Cook, forward for Illinois and five NBA teams, 2003 Big Ten Player of the Year
  • Daniel Pope Cook, lawyer, publisher, state's first attorney general; Cook County named for him (born in Kentucky)
  • Elisha Cook Jr., character actor, The Maltese Falcon, Shane, The Killing, The Big Sleep
  • John Pope Cook, Civil War general, mayor of Springfield
  • Toi Cook, NFL defensive back 1987-97, played for Super Bowl XXIX champion San Francisco 49ers
  • Sam Cooke, singer, "You Send Me", recipient of Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (born in Mississippi)
  • William F. Coolbaugh, 19th Century banker (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Jack Cooley, pro and Notre Dame basketball player
  • Ron Coomer, infielder for Minnesota Twins, sportscaster
  • Sam Coonrod, MLB pitcher
  • Cynthia Cooper, Hall of Fame basketball player and coach, four-time WNBA champion
  • D. J. Cooper, player in Israeli Basketball Premier League
  • Jerome Cooper, drummer
  • Job Adams Cooper, Governor of Colorado 1889–91
  • Martin Cooper, inventor of modern cell phone
  • Maxine Cooper, actress, Kiss Me Deadly
  • Wyllis Cooper, radio writer, screenwriter
  • Ira C. Copley, publisher, U.S. Representative 1911–23
  • Chet Coppock, sportscaster
  • Ben Corbett, film actor
  • George Corbett, running back for Chicago Bears 1932–38
  • Virginia Lee Corbin, actress (born in Arizona)
  • Tom Corcoran, politician (Republican), four-term U.S. Representative
  • Kevin Cordes, NCAA champion swimmer
  • Billy Corgan, musician for alternative rock band Smashing Pumpkins
  • Bartlett Cormack, playwright and screenwriter
  • Jim Cornelison, tenor, anthem singer
  • Don Cornelius, television host, producer, creator of Soul Train
  • Lillian Cornell, singer and actress
  • Frank Cornish, NFL lineman 1990–95
  • Frank J. Corr, alderman, acting Mayor of Chicago 1933
  • Charles Correll, co-creator and star of Amos 'n' Andy
  • Lee Corso, football coach, Indiana, Louisville, sportscaster for ESPN
  • Eldzier Cortor, artist (born in Virginia)
  • Joe Corvo, NHL player 2002–14
  • Dave Corzine, center for DePaul and Chicago Bulls
  • Jon Corzine, CEO of Goldman Sachs, U.S. Senator of New Jersey 2001–06, Governor 2006–10
  • Pete Cosey, guitarist for Miles Davis
  • Jerry F. Costello, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative 1988–2013
  • Neal Cotts, pitcher for 2005 World Series champion White Sox
  • John Coughlin, politician (Democrat), Chicago alderman 1893–1938
  • John Coughlin, television meteorologist
  • Johnny Coulon, boxer, bantamweight champion 1910–14 (born in Canada)
  • Jim Courtright, Wild West gunfighter, lawman
  • Kirk Cousins, quarterback for Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons
  • Robert Covington, NBA forward
  • Bryan Cox, linebacker for Miami Dolphins and Super Bowl XXXVI champion New England Patriots
  • Jim Cox, MLB player 1973–76
  • John H. Cox, businessman, politician
  • Sonny Cox, musician, coach (born in Ohio)
  • Wally Cox, actor, Mister Peepers, Underdog (born in Michigan)
  • Dale Coyne, auto racing driver and executive
  • Kendall Coyne, hockey player, silver medalist at 2014 Winter Olympics
  • Chief Keef (Keith Cozart), rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer
  • James Gould Cozzens, novelist, By Love Possessed

Cr–Cz

thumb|202x202px|[[Cindy Crawford]]

thumb|212x212px|[[John Cusack]]

  • Wallace Craig, experimental psychologist, behavior scientist (born in Canada)
  • Yvonne Craig, actress, Batman, Kissin' Cousins
  • Dan Crane, dentist, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative 1979-85
  • Phil Crane, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative 1969–2005
  • Cindy Crawford, supermodel, cosmetics entrepreneur, actress and TV personality, House of Style
  • Corey Crawford, goaltender for Chicago Blackhawks 2006–20, two-time Stanley Cup champion (born in Canada)
  • Danny Crawford, NBA referee
  • Drew Crawford, basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
  • Ellen Crawford, actress, ER
  • Jim Crawford, MLB pitcher 1973–78
  • Oliver Crawford, blacklisted screenwriter
  • Dewitt Clinton Cregier, engineer, mason, Mayor of Chicago 1889–91 (born in New York)
  • John Crerar, industrialist, railroad director (born in New York)
  • Jim Crews, basketball player for 1976 NCAA champion Indiana, head coach for Evansville, Army, St. Louis
  • Michael Crichton, author, screenwriter, director, Jurassic Park, ER, Westworld, Rising Sun, Coma, Disclosure
  • Michele Crider, opera singer
  • Fritz Crisler, football head coach for Michigan, Minnesota, Princeton
  • John P. Cromwell, submarine commander
  • James Cronin, physicist, 1980 Nobel Prize
  • Kevin Cronin, lead vocalist for REO Speedwagon
  • Shawn Cronin, NHL defenseman 1988–95
  • Casey Crosby, pitcher for Detroit Tigers 2012
  • Jim Crowley, halfback for Notre Dame, NFL player, Michigan State coach, College Football Hall of Fame
  • Henry Crown, businessman, philanthropist
  • Lester Crown, businessman, philanthropist
  • Arthur Crudup, musician, "That's All Right" (born in Mississippi)
  • Dave Cruikshank, speed skater, four-time Olympian
  • The Cryan' Shames, rock band
  • Bob Cryder, NFL guard 1978–86
  • Walt Cudzik, NFL center 1954–64
  • Melinda Culea, actress, Brotherly Love, Knots Landing, The A-Team
  • John Cullerton, politician
  • William J. Cullerton, decorated World War II pilot
  • Philip Hart Cullom, admiral
  • Shelby Moore Cullom, lawyer, Governor of Illinois 1877–1883, U.S. Senator 1883–1913 (born in Kentucky)
  • Edith Cummings, golfer, 1923 U.S. Women's Amateur champion
  • Terry Cummings, player for DePaul and seven NBA teams, 1983 NBA Rookie of the Year
  • Lester Cuneo, silent-film actor
  • Barbara Flynn Currie, politician (Democrat), state representative 1979–2019
  • Betty Currie, personal secretary to President Bill Clinton
  • Adrianne Curry, model and America's Next Top Model winner
  • Eddy Curry, center for four NBA teams, fourth pick of 2001 NBA draft
  • Alan Curtis, actor, High Sierra, Buck Privates
  • Charlotte Curtis, journalist, New York Times
  • James Curtiss, Mayor of Chicago 1847–51 (born in Connecticut)
  • Mary Curzon, baroness
  • Ann Cusack, actress, The Jeff Foxworthy Show, Maggie
  • Joan Cusack, actress, Working Girl, In & Out, Broadcast News, School of Rock, Toys, Toy Story 2, Shameless
  • John Cusack, actor, Eight Men Out, Con Air, High Fidelity, The Grifters, Grosse Pointe Blank, 1408, 2012
  • Matt Cushing, NFL tight end 1999–2004
  • Clive Cussler, best-selling novelist, Raise the Titanic!, Sahara, creator of Dirk Pitt
  • Ethan Cutkosky, actor, Shameless
  • Slade Cutter, decorated World War II submarine officer
  • Mike Cvengros, MLB pitcher 1922–29
  • Ziggy Czarobski, Hall of Fame tackle for Notre Dame

D

Da–Dd

thumb|206x206px|[[Owen Daniels (American football)|Owen Daniels]]

thumb|145x145px|[[Miles Davis]]

  • Bob Dahl, NFL lineman 1991–97
  • Bill Daily, actor, I Dream of Jeannie, The Bob Newhart Show (born in Iowa)
  • John Francis Daley, actor, Bones, Freaks and Geeks
  • John P. Daley, Cook County commissioner
  • Richard J. Daley, politician (Democrat), member of Illinois State Assembly, Mayor of Chicago 1955–1976
  • Richard M. Daley, politician (Democrat), attorney, Illinois state senator, Mayor of Chicago 1989–2011, son of Richard J. Daley
  • William M. Daley, 1997–2000 U.S. Secretary of Commerce and 2011–12 White House Chief of Staff
  • Rick Dalpos, pro golfer
  • Dorothy Dalton, silent-film actress
  • Joel Daly, television journalist (born in Montana)
  • Lar Daly, perennial politician
  • Bill Damaschke, president of Warner Bros. animation
  • Mark Damon, producer and actor
  • Anthony D'Andrea, organized crime figure (born in Sicily)
  • Ben Daniels, lawman, one of Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders
  • Bert Daniels, MLB outfielder 1910–14
  • Owen Daniels, NFL tight end, played for Super Bowl 50 champion Denver Broncos
  • Randy Daniels, politician (Republican), Secretary of State of New York, Deputy Mayor of New York City
  • Shirley Danz, pro baseball player
  • Eleanor Dapkus, pro baseball player
  • Severn Darden, actor, charter member of Second City (born in Louisiana)
  • Scott Darling, NHL goaltender, played for 2015 Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks
  • Erik Darnell, NASCAR driver for Roush Fenway Racing
  • Lisa Darr, actress, Popular, Life As We Know It, Flesh 'n' Blood
  • Frankie Darro, actor
  • Clarence Darrow, renowned Chicago-based attorney, Leopold and Loeb case, Scopes Trial (born in Ohio)
  • Justin Whitlock Dart Sr., executive of Walgreens, Rexall
  • Tom Dart, sheriff of Cook County
  • Kristin Dattilo, actress, The Chris Isaak Show, Hitz
  • Brian Daubach, MLB outfielder, minor-league manager
  • Doris Davenport, actress, The Westerner
  • George Davenport, frontiersman, Rock Island settler, Davenport, Iowa named for him (born in England)
  • Bob Davidson, baseball umpire
  • Andrew Davis, conductor, Lyric Opera of Chicago 2000–21 (born in England)
  • Andrew Davis, film director, The Fugitive, Under Siege, A Perfect Murder, The Guardian
  • Anthony Davis, 2012 NCAA basketball champion with Kentucky, first pick of 2012 NBA draft, 2020 NBA champion with Los Angeles Lakers
  • Carl Davis, boxing cruiserweight champion, 2010
  • Carl Davis, music producer
  • Clifton Davis, actor and songwriter, "Never Can Say Goodbye"
  • Corey Davis, NFL wide receiver
  • Danny K. Davis, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative
  • David Davis, campaign manager of Abe Lincoln, U.S. Senator, Supreme Court justice (born in Maryland)
  • Dorothy Salisbury Davis, crime novelist
  • Edith Luckett Davis, mother of Nancy Reagan (born in Virginia)
  • Floyd Davis, co-winner of 1941 Indianapolis 500
  • George Davis, magazine editor
  • George R. Davis, Civil War captain, U.S. Representative (born in Massachusetts)
  • Jessie Bartlett Davis, opera contralto
  • Miles Davis, jazz musician, bandleader and composer, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Orbert Davis, trumpeter
  • Rece Davis, television sportscaster
  • Richard Davis, jazz musician
  • Scott Davis, defensive end for Los Angeles Raiders 1988–94
  • Shani Davis, two-time Olympic and world champion speed skater
  • Zachary Taylor Davis, architect, Comiskey Park, Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary
  • Clinton Davisson, Nobel Prize-winning physicist who discovered electron diffraction
  • Charles G. Dawes, ambassador, Vice President of United States 1925–29, winner of Nobel Peace Prize (born in Ohio)
  • Henry M. Dawes, oil executive, Illinois banker, U.S. comptroller (born in Ohio)
  • Rufus C. Dawes, president of Commercial Club of Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry (born in Ohio)
  • Jimmy Dawkins, blues musician (born in Mississippi)
  • Johnny Dawson, golfer, course designer
  • William L. Dawson, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative 1943–70 (born in Georgia)
  • J. Edward Day, lawyer and United States Postmaster General 1961–63
  • Todd Day, basketball player, all-time scoring leader for Arkansas

De–Dh

thumb|196x196px|[[Bruce Dern]]

thumb|184x184px|[[Susan Dey]]

  • Margia Dean, actress and Miss America 1939 runner-up
  • William F. Dean, World War II and Korean War general
  • Jeffery Deaver, mystery novelist
  • Billy DeBeck, cartoonist, creator of Barney Google
  • Eugene V. Debs, socialist, IWW union leader, presidential candidate (born in Indiana)
  • H. Joel Deckard, U.S. Representative for Indiana 1979–83
  • Steve Decker, MLB catcher 1990–99
  • Bill DeCorrevont, Northwestern and pro football player
  • Karen DeCrow, president of National Organization for Women
  • Frances Dee, actress, Wells Fargo, Four Faces West (born in California)
  • Lola Dee, singer
  • Merri Dee, television personality
  • John Deere, founder of Deere & Company (born in Vermont)
  • Archie Dees, two-time Big Ten basketball MVP (born in Mississippi)
  • Dudley DeGroot, coach of Washington Redskins and college teams
  • Jack DeJohnette, jazz drummer
  • Paul DeJong, MLB player (born in Florida)
  • Lois Delander, first Miss America from Illinois (1927)
  • Frederic Delano, railroad president, uncle of FDR (born in New York)
  • Lea DeLaria, actress, Orange Is the New Black
  • Vaughn De Leath, singer
  • Floyd Dell, novelist and playwright
  • The Dells, singing group, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • Al Demaree, MLB pitcher 1912–19
  • AnnMaria De Mars, technology executive, author, world champion judoka; mother of Ronda Rousey
  • Bruce DeMars, four-star U.S. Navy admiral
  • William Dembski, mathematician, philosopher and theologian
  • Ray Demmitt, MLB outfielder 1909–19
  • Charles S. Deneen, two-term Governor of Illinois
  • Christopher Denham, actor, Argo, Sound of My Voice
  • Edward E. Denison, politician, U.S. Representative 1915–31
  • Elias Smith Dennis, politician, Civil War general (born in New York)
  • Richard Dent, Hall of Fame defensive lineman for Chicago Bears, MVP of Super Bowl XX (born in Georgia)
  • Thomas Dent, 19th Century attorney
  • Justin Dentmon, pro basketball player, 2010 top scorer in Israel Premier League
  • Grant DePorter, restaurateur
  • Oscar Stanton De Priest, U.S. Representative, civil rights advocate, first African American elected to Congress in 20th Century (born in Alabama)
  • Bruce Dern, Oscar-nominated actor, Black Sunday, The Great Gatsby, Silent Running, Family Plot, Coming Home, Nebraska
  • Ed Derwinski, politician, U.S. Representative 1959–83 and U.S. Secretary of Veteran Affairs 1989–92
  • Tony DeSantis, theater owner, Drury Lane
  • Jackie DeShannon, singer, "What the World Needs Now Is Love"
  • Paul Des Jardien, University of Chicago center, College Football Hall of Fame, MLB pitcher (born in Kansas)
  • Sam DeStefano, mobster
  • Reid Detmers, MLB pitcher, 2022 no-hitter for Los Angeles Angels
  • Armand Deutsch, film producer
  • William Emmett Dever, Mayor of Chicago 1923–27 (born in Massachusetts)
  • Richard A. Devine, lawyer, Cook County State's Attorney 1996–2008
  • Karla DeVito, singer and actress
  • Laura Devon, actress, Red Line 7000, Goodbye Charlie
  • Peter De Vries, author, Pete 'n' Tillie, Reuben, Reuben
  • James Dewar, baker, creator of Hostess Twinkie
  • John Dewey, philosopher (born in Vermont)
  • Lee DeWyze, singer, American Idol Season 9 winner
  • Susan Dey, Golden Globe-winning actress, The Partridge Family, L.A. Law
  • Dennis DeYoung, musician for rock band Styx

Di–Dn

thumb|150px|[[Walt Disney]]

  • Douglas Diamond, economist, 2022 Nobel Prize winner
  • David Díaz, lightweight boxing champion 2007–08
  • Victor Diaz, baseball player (born in Dominican Republic)
  • Andy Dick, comedian, NewsRadio (born in South Carolina)
  • Philip K. Dick, science-fiction author, stories became films Blade Runner, Minority Report, Total Recall
  • Augustus Dickens, brother of Charles Dickens (born in England)
  • Annamary Dickey, opera singer
  • Basil Dickey, screenwriter
  • Frances Dickinson, physician, clubwoman, writer
  • Johnny Dickshot, MLB outfielder 1936–45
  • Bo Diddley, rock and blues musician, composer, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (born in Mississippi)
  • Nelson Diebel, swimmer, 1992 Olympic gold medalist
  • David Diehl, offensive tackle, two-time Super Bowl champion with New York Giants 2003–13
  • Pony Diehl, Wild West outlaw
  • Doug Dieken, offensive lineman for Cleveland Browns 1971–84
  • Ryan Diem, offensive tackle for Super Bowl XLI champion Indianapolis Colts 2001–11
  • Scott Dierking, running back for New York Jets 1977–83
  • William H. Dieterich, U.S. Senator of Illinois 1933–39
  • Charles Henry Dietrich, U.S. Senator and Governor of Nebraska
  • Vince DiFrancesca, football coach, Western Illinois, Iowa State
  • Tracy Dildy, basketball coach for Chicago State 2010–18
  • John Dillinger, notorious bank robber, lived and died in Chicago, subject of films Dillinger, Public Enemies (born in Indiana)
  • Frank Dillon, baseball player, Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame
  • Melinda Dillon, Oscar-nominated actress, A Christmas Story, Absence of Malice, Close Encounters of the Third Kind
  • Paul Dinello, actor, comedian, The Colbert Report
  • Gerald Di Pego, screenwriter, Sharky's Machine, Message in a Bottle
  • Everett Dirksen, politician (Republican), United States Senator 1951–69, Senate Minority Leader
  • Louis Disbrow, auto racer, drove in first four Indianapolis 500s
  • Roy O. Disney, co-founder of Walt Disney Productions
  • Walt Disney, iconic film and TV director, producer and animator, Disney studio founder and creator of Disneyland
  • Mike Ditka, Hall of Fame pro football player and coach, TV commentator (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Michael Diversey, brewer, 19th Century alderman (born in Germany)
  • Alan J. Dixon, politician (Democrat), state treasurer, U.S. Senator 1981–93
  • Jessy Dixon, gospel singer
  • Leo Dixon, MLB catcher 1925–29
  • Malik Dixon, basketball player, top scorer in 2005 Israel Premier League
  • Sherwood Dixon, lieutenant governor under Adlai Stevenson II
  • Willie Dixon, blues musician (born in Mississippi)

Do–Dt

  • Conrad Dobler, NFL offensive lineman 1972–81
  • Larry Doby, baseball pioneer, outfielder, manager for Chicago White Sox (born in South Carolina)
  • Townsend F. Dodd, World War I pilot, Distinguished Service Medal
  • Katherine Sturges Dodge, illustrator
  • Dorothy L. Dodson, U.S. champion in javelin and shot put
  • John Doe, actor and musician with band X
  • Eddie Doherty, journalist, Oscar-nominated screenwriter
  • Edward A. Doisy, biochemist, 1943 Nobel Prize
  • Caroline Dolehide, Wimbledon and U.S. Open doubles semi-finalist
  • Courtney Dolehide, captain of UCLA's 2014 NCAA tennis champions
  • Dave Dombrowski, MLB executive
  • Jim Donahue, 19th Century baseball player
  • John Donahoe, CEO of Nike, chairman of PayPal
  • Mark Donahue, lineman for Michigan and Cincinnati Bengals
  • Luke Donald, professional golfer, 1999 NCAA champion for Northwestern (born in England)
  • Dorothy Donegan, jazz pianist
  • Mike Donlin, baseball player and actor
  • George Donner, organizer of Donner Party (born in North Carolina)
  • Ral Donner, singer
  • Professor Mike Donovan, middleweight boxer of bare-knuckle era
  • Jimmy Dore, comedian, political commentator
  • Tom Dore, basketball player and broadcaster
  • Dolores Dorn, actress, The Bounty Hunter, Underworld U.S.A.
  • Thomas A. Dorsey, gospel musician
  • John Dos Passos, novelist
  • Ayo Dosunmu, basketball player for Illinois and Chicago Bulls
  • Emily Taft Douglas, politician, U.S. Representative, first female Democrat from state elected to Congress
  • Mike Douglas, singer and television talk-show host
  • Paul Douglas, professor, politician (Democrat), 18-year U.S. Senator of Illinois (born in Massachusetts)
  • Stephen A. Douglas, politician (Democrat), U.S. Senator 1847–61, presidential candidate vs. Abe Lincoln (born in Vermont)
  • John A. Dowie, faith healer, Zion, Illinois founder (born in Scotland)
  • Dave Downey, basketball player, holder of University of Illinois single-game scoring record
  • Jim Downey, writer, Saturday Night Live
  • Mike Downey, Los Angeles and Chicago newspaper columnist
  • Susan Downey, film producer, Sherlock Holmes, Iron Man 2, The Judge, wife of Robert Downey Jr.
  • Wayne A. Downing, four-star U.S. Army general
  • Kathleen Doyle, pro basketball player, 2020 Big Ten Player of the Year
  • Patti Solis Doyle, political consultant
  • Larry Doyle, infielder, New York Giants, 1912 National League MVP
  • Larry Doyle, writer, I Love You, Beth Cooper, The Simpsons
  • Betsy Drake, actress, wife of Cary Grant (born in France)
  • Francis M. Drake, Civil War general, Governor of Iowa
  • Frank Drake, astronomer, astrophysicist
  • John Drake, co-founder of Drake Hotel
  • Johnny Drake, NFL running back 1937–41
  • Tracy Drake, co-founder of Drake Hotel
  • Yochi Dreazen, journalist
  • Jack Drees, television sportscaster
  • Tom Dreesen, comedian
  • Lance Dreher, 1986 Mr. Universe
  • Theodore Dreiser, author, social activist (born in Indiana)
  • Chuck Dressen, football quarterback, baseball manager for Brooklyn Dodgers and four more MLB teams
  • Paddy Driscoll, Hall of Fame quarterback and head coach for Chicago Cardinals and Chicago Bears
  • Robert Drivas, actor, The Illustrated Man, Cool Hand Luke
  • Vincent Drucci, mobster
  • John Drury, television journalist
  • Charles Dryden, early 20th Century sportswriter

Du–Dz

thumb|234x234px|[[Michael Clarke Duncan]]

thumb|150px|[[Robert Hugo Dunlap]]

  • Fred Dubois, two-term U.S. Senator from Idaho
  • Richard L. Duchossois, horse racing executive
  • Kevin Duckworth, center for five NBA teams
  • Tammy Duckworth, veteran of Iraq War, U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator (born in Thailand)
  • Art Dufelmeier, played for 1947 Rose Bowl champion Illinois, coached Western Illinois 1960–68
  • John Duff, counterfeiter, Revolutionary War scout
  • Terrence A. Duffy, CEO of Chicago Mercantile Exchange
  • Dennis Dugan, director, actor, Big Daddy, Beverly Hills Ninja, Happy Gilmore, Jack and Jill, Grown Ups
  • Tom Duggan, television commentator
  • Tony Dumas, NBA player 1994–98
  • Sharon K.G. Dunbar, U.S. Air Force general
  • Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education 2009–15
  • Joseph Duncan, Governor of Illinois 1834–38, four-term U.S. Representative (born in Kentucky)
  • Michael Clarke Duncan, actor, The Green Mile, Kung Fu Panda, Armageddon, Planet of the Apes
  • Thomas Duncan, Civil War general
  • Katherine Dunham, dancer and choreographer
  • Russell E. Dunham, decorated World War II soldier
  • Robert Hugo Dunlap, officer at Iwo Jima, winner of Medal of Honor
  • Kevin Dunn, actor, Transformers, Nixon, Unstoppable, Veep
  • Nora Dunn, actress, comedian, Saturday Night Live, Sisters, Bruce Almighty, Three Kings
  • Edward Joseph Dunne, bishop of Dallas 1894–1910 (born in Ireland)
  • Finley Peter Dunne, author and journalist
  • Edward Fitzsimmons Dunne, Mayor of Chicago 1905–07 and Governor of Illinois 1913–17 (born in Connecticut)
  • George Dunne, president of Cook County Commissioners 1969–91
  • Murphy Dunne, actor, keyboard player for Blues Brothers
  • Santiago Durango, musician, attorney (born in Colombia)
  • Chad Durbin, pitcher for eight MLB teams
  • Dick Durbin, politician (Democrat), senior U.S. Senator of Illinois, Majority Whip, U.S. Representative
  • Jim Durkin, politician (Republican), state representative
  • Lindsey Durlacher, Greco-Roman wrestler, bronze medalist at World Championships
  • Charles Duryea, automotive pioneer
  • Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, settler, founder of Chicago
  • Erv Dusak, player for 1946 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals
  • Charles Dvorak, pole vaulter, 1904 Olympic gold medalist
  • Christian Dvorak, NHL forward
  • Jim Dwyer, MLB outfielder, played for 1983 World Series champion Baltimore Orioles
  • Conor Dwyer, swimmer, gold medalist at 2012 London Olympics
  • Thomas Dyer, president of Chicago Board of Trade, Mayor of Chicago 1856–57 (born in Connecticut)
  • Walter Dyett, musician and educator
  • Jimmy Dykes, player and manager for White Sox (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Ryan Dzingel, pro hockey player

E

Ea–Em

  • Amelia Earhart, pioneer aviator, Chicago Hyde Park High graduate (born in Kansas)
  • Glenn Earl, NFL safety 2004-09 (born in Michigan)
  • Mary Tracy Earle, writer
  • Jug Earp, pro football player
  • Wyatt Earp, iconic American West lawman, subject of Tombstone, My Darling Clementine, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
  • Earth, Wind & Fire, band in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • John Porter East, U.S. Senator for North Carolina 1981–86
  • Martin Eberhard, co-founder of Tesla Motors
  • Christine Ebersole, two-time Tony Award-winning actress and singer, Saturday Night Live, Ryan's Hope, 42nd Street
  • Roger Ebert, film critic, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author, television personality, co-host of Siskel & Ebert
  • Buddy Ebsen, actor, The Beverly Hillbillies, Barnaby Jones, Captain January, Davy Crockett, Breakfast at Tiffany's
  • Vilma Ebsen, dancer and actress, Broadway Melody of 1936
  • Earl Eby, athlete, silver medalist in 1920 Summer Olympics
  • Garrett Eckbo, landscape architect
  • Walter Eckersall, fullback for Chicago 1905 national champions, Hall of Fame, sportswriter, referee
  • William Eckert, Major League Baseball commissioner 1965–68
  • James Eckhouse, actor, Beverly Hills, 90210
  • Nora Eddington, actress, wife of Errol Flynn
  • Dwight Eddleman, three-sport Illinois athlete, NBA All-Star
  • J. W. Eddy, politician, lawyer, Angels Flight designer (born in New York)
  • John R. Eden, 19th Century U.S. Representative (born in Kentucky)
  • Jim Edgar, secretary of state and 1991–99 Governor of Illinois
  • John Edgar, naval commander, land baron, politician (born in Ireland)
  • Booker Edgerson, football cornerback (born in Arkansas)
  • Robert W. Edgren, cartoonist, 1904 Olympic athlete
  • Benjamin S. Edwards, 19th Century lawyer and politician
  • Bruce Edwards, MLB catcher 1946–56
  • India Edwards, vice-chair of Democratic National Committee 1950–56
  • Jon Edwards, MLB pitcher 2014–19
  • Ninian Edwards, politician (Democratic-Republican), U.S. Senator 1818–26 and Governor of Illinois 1826–30 (born in Maryland)
  • Ninian Wirt Edwards, educator, married to sister of Mary Todd Lincoln
  • Steve Edwards, pro football lineman
  • Chandler Egan, NCAA, U.S. Amateur golf champion, course designer
  • Edward Egan, cardinal, archbishop of New York 2000–2009
  • Jennifer Egan, 2011 Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist
  • John Egan, guard for Loyola basketball 1963 national champions
  • John Joseph Egan, monsignor, civil rights activist
  • Walter Egan, golfer, 1904 Olympic gold medalist
  • Dave Eggers, writer, editor, and publisher, author of A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
  • Rube Ehrhardt, MLB pitcher 1924–29
  • Tim Ehrhardt, pole vaulter
  • David Eigenberg, actor, Steve Brady on Sex and the City
  • Deborah Eisenberg, short story writer, actress
  • Brett Eldredge, country singer
  • Charlie Elgar, bandleader (born in Louisiana)
  • Karl Eller, original owner of Phoenix Suns, CEO of Circle K
  • Kurt Elling, jazz singer
  • Bump Elliott, halfback for Michigan and Purdue, coach at Michigan, athletic director at Iowa, College Football Hall of Fame
  • Ezekiel Elliott, running back for Dallas Cowboys, 2015 Big Ten MVP, fourth pick of 2016 NFL draft
  • Jake Elliott, kicker for Super Bowl LII champion Philadelphia Eagles
  • Pete Elliott, football head coach for Nebraska, Illinois, Cal and Miami, College Football Hall of Fame
  • Bo Ellis, basketball player for 1977 NCAA champion Marquette and Denver Nuggets
  • Fred Ellis, cartoonist
  • LaPhonso Ellis, center for four NBA teams
  • Nelsan Ellis, actor, True Blood, Get On Up
  • Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle Corporation, philanthropist, owner of Indian Wells Tennis Garden (born in New York)
  • Daniel Ellsberg, activist who released Pentagon Papers
  • Elmer E. Ellsworth, first Civil War casualty (born in New York)
  • Bob Elson, Hall of Fame baseball broadcaster
  • John Ely, pitcher for Los Angeles Dodgers 2010–12
  • Melvin Ely, center-forward for five NBA teams
  • Ari Emanuel, Hollywood superagent, co-CEO of William Morris Endeavor
  • Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago 2011–19, U.S. Representative 2003–09, senior advisor to Bill Clinton 1993–98, Chief of Staff to Barack Obama 2009–10, U.S. Ambassador to Japan
  • Louis Lincoln Emmerson, merchant, secretary of state and Governor of Illinois 1929–33
  • The Emotions, singing group, Best of My Love

En–Ez

  • Eric Engberg, television journalist
  • Larry English, NFL linebacker 2009–15, two-time MAC MVP for Northern Illinois
  • Jason Enloe, pro golfer
  • Rex Enright, football coach, South Carolina 1938–56
  • William Enyart, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative 2013–15
  • A. J. Epenesa, defensive lineman for Iowa and Buffalo Bills
  • Philip "Phil" Erenberg, gymnast, Olympic silver medalist
  • Paul Erickson, pitcher for Cubs 1941–48
  • Roger Erickson, MLB pitcher 1978–83
  • John Erlenborn, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative 1965–85
  • Kallen Esperian, opera singer
  • Cameron Esposito, comedian
  • Joe Esposito, road manager of Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson
  • Joe Esposito, organized crime figure (born in Italy)
  • Sammy Esposito, infielder for White Sox 1952–63
  • Tony Esposito, 15-year goaltender for Chicago Blackhawks, member of Hockey Hall of Fame (born in Canada)
  • Bill Essick, MLB pitcher and scout
  • Richard Estes, photorealistic painter
  • Nick Etten, MLB first baseman 1938–47
  • Ruth Etting, singer, subject of Love Me or Leave Me (born in Nebraska)
  • Aja Evans, bobsledder, bronze medalist at 2014 Winter Olympics
  • Andrea Evans, actress, One Life to Live
  • Bergen Evans, television personality, professor (born in Ohio)
  • Bill Evans, jazz musician
  • Billy Evans, MLB umpire
  • Chick Evans, golfer, won U.S. Open as amateur, member of World Golf Hall of Fame
  • Dan Evans, baseball executive
  • Fred Evans, NFL defensive tackle 2006–13
  • John Evans, physician, governor of Colorado territory, co-founder of Northwestern University (born in Ohio)
  • Lane Evans, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative 1983–2007
  • Marsha J. Evans, admiral, CEO of American Red Cross
  • Betty Everett, singer (born in Mississippi)
  • Elizabeth Hawley Everett, educator, writer
  • Phil Everly, singer with Everly Brothers, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • Hoot Evers, MLB outfielder 1941–56 (born in Missouri)
  • Johnny Evers, Hall of Fame second baseman, managed Cubs and White Sox (born in New York)
  • Lisa Evers, radio-TV personality, former VP of Guardian Angels
  • Bryan Eversgerd, MLB pitcher and coach
  • Cory Everson, six-time Ms. Olympia (born in Wisconsin)
  • Jimmy Evert, tennis player and coach, father of Chris Evert
  • Eve Ewing, sociologist and writer, professor at University of Chicago
  • Fred Ewing, surgeon, Oklahoma football coach
  • Thomas W. Ewing, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative 1991–2001
  • William Lee D. Ewing, governor (14 days) and U.S. Senator 1835–37 (born in Kentucky)

F

Fa–Fh

  • Red Faber, Hall of Fame pitcher for White Sox; three wins in 1917 World Series (born in Iowa)
  • Janet Fairbank, opera singer
  • N.K. Fairbank, soap manufacturer, philanthropist
  • Don Fairfield, pro golfer (born in Kansas)
  • Ben Falcone, actor, director, Tammy, The Boss
  • Rich Falk, basketball player and coach, Northwestern
  • Cy Falkenberg, MLB pitcher 1903–17
  • Richard Fancy, actor, General Hospital, The District, Seinfeld
  • Jim Fanning, MLB player, manager and general manager
  • Kay Fanning, newspaper editor and publisher
  • Dennis Farina, actor, Chicago police officer, Law & Order, Crime Story, Get Shorty, Manhunter, Saving Private Ryan
  • Chris Farley, comedian and actor, Second City and Saturday Night Live (born in Wisconsin)
  • Dot Farley, silent-film actress
  • Ed Farmer, pitcher for eight MLB teams, sportscaster
  • Mimsy Farmer, actress, Spencer's Mountain, Hot Rods to Hell
  • Henry Farnam, surveyor, builder and president of Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad (born in New York)
  • Elon J. Farnsworth, Union general in Civil War, killed at Gettysburg
  • John F. Farnsworth, Union general in Civil War, seven-term U.S. Representative (born in Canada)
  • Louis Farrakhan, Nation of Islam leader (born in New York)
  • James T. Farrell, author, Studs Lonigan
  • Charles B. Farwell, philanthropist, U.S. Senator (born in New York)
  • John V. Farwell, department store founder (born in New York)
  • Sal Fasano, MLB catcher 1996–2008
  • Jeff Fassero, pitcher for nine MLB teams
  • Nancy Faust, musician, stadium organist
  • Harris W. Fawell, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative 1985–99
  • Meagen Fay, actress, Second City, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Malcolm in the Middle
  • Kenneth Fearing, poet and novelist
  • Carol Feeney, rower, Olympic silver medalist
  • Jesse W. Fell, land baron, helped establish Illinois State University (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Alfred T. Fellheimer, architect
  • John Felske, MLB player and manager
  • Gary Fencik, defensive back for Super Bowl XX champion Chicago Bears
  • Jean Fenn, opera singer
  • Randy Fenoli, fashion designer, Say Yes to the Dress
  • Irene Fenwick, silent-film actress, wife of Lionel Barrymore
  • Tom Fergus, NHL center 1981–93
  • Helen Ferguson, film publicist and actress
  • Enrico Fermi, nuclear physicist, University of Chicago professor, 1936 Nobel Prize in Physics winner (born in Italy)
  • Joseph Ferriola, mobster
  • George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., inventor of Ferris wheel
  • Elisha P. Ferry, first Governor of Washington (born in Michigan)
  • Edwin Feulner, president of The Heritage Foundation 1977–2013
  • Tina Fey, actress and comedian, writer-performer for Second City (born in Pennsylvania)

Fi–Fn

thumb|150px|[[Bobby Fischer]]

thumb|150px|[[Calista Flockhart]]

  • Lupe Fiasco, rapper, musician
  • Carl Fick, filmmaker, novelist
  • Orlando B. Ficklin, U.S. Representative 1843–49 (born in Kentucky)
  • Eugene Field, journalist and author
  • Marshall Field, businessman, department store founder and philanthropist (born in Massachusetts)
  • Marshall Field III, banker, publisher and philanthropist
  • Marshall Field IV, owner of Chicago Sun-Times 1956–65
  • Ted Field, entrepreneur, auto racing, film producer, Cocktail, Runaway Bride, Mr. Holland's Opus, Riddick
  • Jackie Fields, boxer, Olympic and pro welterweight champ
  • Joseph W. Fifer, Civil War officer, city attorney of Bloomington, Governor of Illinois (born in Virginia)
  • Tim Finchem, commissioner of golf's PGA Tour 1994–2016
  • Paul Findley, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative 1961–83
  • Vivian Fine, composer
  • Jim Finigan, MLB infielder 1954–59
  • Tom Fink, mayor of Anchorage, Alaska 1987–94
  • Jim Finks, pro football player and executive, Hall of Fame (born in Missouri)
  • Charles O. Finley, owner of Oakland A's 1960–81 (born in Alabama)
  • John Huston Finley, educator, New York Times editor
  • Michael Finley, pro basketball player 1995–2010, Dallas Mavericks executive, film producer
  • Katie Finneran, actress, two-time Tony Award winner
  • Allison Finney, golfer
  • Mauro Fiore, Oscar-winning cinematographer (born in Italy)
  • Harvey S. Firestone Jr., chairman of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company
  • Bill Fischer, lineman for NFL's Chicago Cardinals, member of College Football Hall of Fame
  • Bobby Fischer, world chess champion
  • Leo Fischer, sports journalist, basketball executive
  • John Fischetti, 1969 Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist (born in New York)
  • Bud Fisher, cartoonist, Mutt and Jeff
  • Eileen Fisher, fashion designer (born in New York)
  • George M.C. Fisher, CEO of Eastman Kodak and Motorola
  • Lester E. Fisher, director of Lincoln Park Zoo 1962-92
  • Steve Fisher, basketball coach, San Diego State and 1989 NCAA champion Michigan
  • Carlton Fisk, Hall of Fame catcher for Red Sox and White Sox (born in Vermont)
  • Jack Fisk, film director, Oscar-nominated art and production designer, husband of Sissy Spacek
  • Horatio Fitch, silver medalist in 400 meters at 1924 Summer Olympics
  • John Fitzgerald, two-time Olympian in pentathlon
  • Pat Fitzgerald, football coach for Northwestern 2006–23
  • Patrick Fitzgerald, U.S. Attorney, 2001–12 (born in New York)
  • Peter Fitzgerald, politician (Republican), U.S. Senator 1999–2005
  • Thomas R. Fitzgerald, judge, Supreme Court of Illinois 2000–10
  • John Fitzpatrick, catcher, 1,787 hits in minor leagues
  • Bob Fitzsimmons, boxing heavyweight champion (born in England)
  • Five Stairsteps, singing group, "O-o-h Child"
  • Max Flack, outfielder, played in 1918 World Series
  • The Flamingos, singing group, "I Only Have Eyes for You"
  • Crista Flanagan, comedic actress, MADtv
  • Walter Flanigan, co-founder of National Football League
  • Michael Flatley, dancer and choreographer, Lord of the Dance
  • P. J. Fleck, football head coach, Minnesota
  • Coby Fleener, NFL tight end 2012–17
  • Darius Fleming, linebacker for Notre Dame and New England Patriots
  • Bill Flemming, sportscaster
  • Art Fletcher, MLB player, coach and manager
  • Darrin Fletcher, MLB catcher 1989–2002
  • Calista Flockhart, actress, Ally McBeal, Supergirl, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, wife of Harrison Ford
  • Milton S. Florsheim, founder of Florsheim shoe company
  • Paul Flory, Nobel Prize-winning chemist
  • Cliff Floyd, MLB outfielder for seven teams, 1997 World Series champion
  • Fahey Flynn, Chicago radio-TV journalist (born in Michigan)
  • John Flynn, director, screenwriter, Rolling Thunder, The Outfit, Out for Justice, Lock Up
  • Neil Flynn, actor, Scrubs, The Middle

Fo–Fp

thumb|194x194px|[[Harrison Ford]]

  • Dan Fogelberg, folk/rock musician and composer
  • Lee Fogolin, NHL player 1974–87
  • Pat Foley, hockey broadcaster
  • Thomas C. Foley, U.S. Ambassador to Ireland 2006–09
  • Tim Foley, 10-year defensive back for Miami Dolphins
  • Mike Foltynewicz, MLB pitcher 2014–21
  • Art Folz, banned NFL player
  • Ralph Foody, actor, Home Alone, Code of Silence
  • Tom Foran, U.S. Attorney, chief prosecutor of Chicago Seven trial
  • Betty Ford, 1974–1977 First Lady of the United States, founder of Betty Ford Center
  • Dorothy Ayer Gardner Ford, mother of President Gerald Ford
  • Harrison Ford, Oscar-nominated actor, Indiana Jones films, original Star Wars trilogy, Blade Runner, Patriot Games, Air Force One, The Fugitive, 42
  • Judith Ford, 1969 Miss America
  • Percy Ford, auto racer, third in 1921 Indy 500
  • Ruth VanSickle Ford, painter, director of Chicago Academy of Fine Arts
  • Thomas Ford, eighth Governor of Illinois (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Carl Foreman, Oscar-winning screenwriter, High Noon, The Bridge on the River Kwai, The Guns of Navarone
  • James Forman, Civil Rights leader
  • Harry Forrester, basketball coach
  • Josephine Forsberg, improv coach, Second City, Players Workshop
  • Aldo Forte, NFL player and coach
  • Frank Foss, pole vaulter, 1920 Summer Olympics gold medalist
  • George Edmund Foss, U.S. Representative 1895–1913
  • Bob Fosse, Oscar and Tony-winning choreographer, director, Cabaret, Sweet Charity, Lenny, Chicago, All That Jazz
  • Ray Fosse, catcher for five Major League teams
  • Steve Fossett, commodities trader, aviator, adventurer (born in Tennessee)
  • Bill Foster, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative
  • Gloria Foster, actress, The Matrix
  • Greg Foster, hurdler, 10-time national champion, three-time world champion, 1984 Olympic silver medalist
  • Kevin Foster, MLB pitcher 1993–2001
  • Martin D. Foster, surgeon, mayor of Olney, U.S. Representative
  • Rube Foster, manager of Chicago American Giants, member of Baseball Hall of Fame (born in Texas)
  • Scott Michael Foster, actor, Greek, Chasing Life, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
  • Susanna Foster, actress, Phantom of the Opera
  • David Foulis, Chicago golf pro and innovator (born in Scotland)
  • James Foulis, 1896 U.S. Open golf champion (born in Scotland)
  • Albert Fowler, mayor of Rockford 1864–68 (born in Massachusetts)
  • Bertha Fowler, educator, preacher, deaconess
  • Richard Fowler, radio host, media personality, activist, Fox News contributor
  • Carol Fox, opera impresario
  • Nellie Fox, Hall of Fame infielder for White Sox (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Terry Fox, MLB pitcher 1960-66
  • Virgil Fox, organist
  • Kim Foxx, politician, Cook County State's Attorney
  • Redd Foxx, comedian and actor, Sanford and Son, Cotton Comes to Harlem, Harlem Nights (born in Missouri)
  • Bryan Foy, film producer

Fr–Fz

thumb|229x229px|[[Cassidy Freeman]]

  • Clint Frank, football player for Yale, winner of 1937 Heisman Trophy
  • Melvin Frank, director and screenwriter, White Christmas, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
  • Pat Frank, journalist and author
  • Art Frantz, umpire, crew chief of 1975 World Series
  • Frank Frantz, final Governor of Oklahoma Territory
  • Dennis Franz, Emmy-winning actor, NYPD Blue, Hill Street Blues, Dressed to Kill, American Buffalo, Die Hard 2
  • John E. Franz, organic chemist, discovered glyphosate
  • Jonathan Franzen, author, 2001 National Book Award winner
  • Chick Fraser, pitcher for 1907, 1908 champion Chicago Cubs
  • Laura Gardin Fraser, sculptor, coin designer
  • Bobby Frasor, basketball player, 2009 NCAA champion North Carolina
  • Jason Frasor, MLB relief pitcher 2004–15
  • Harry Frazee, owned Boston Red Sox, traded Babe Ruth
  • Walt Frazier, Hall of Fame guard for Southern Illinois and New York Knicks (born in Georgia)
  • Andy Frederick, offensive lineman for two Super Bowl champions
  • John T. Frederick, literary scholar, professor (born in Iowa)
  • Bud Freeman, big-band saxophonist
  • Cassidy Freeman, actress, musician, Smallville, Longmire
  • Charles E. Freeman, judge, Supreme Court of Illinois 1990–2018 (born in Virginia)
  • Donnie Freeman, pro basketball player 1967-76
  • Kathleen Freeman, actress, The Blues Brothers, The Nutty Professor, North to Alaska, Blues Brothers 2000
  • Marvin Freeman, MLB pitcher 1986–96
  • Russ Freeman, jazz pianist
  • Von Freeman, saxophonist
  • Paul Frees, voice actor
  • Ashley Freiberg, auto racer
  • Augustus C. French, lawyer, Governor of Illinois 1846–53 (born in New Hampshire)
  • William M. R. French, first director of Art Institute of Chicago (born in New Hampshire)
  • Arny Freytag, photographer
  • Betty Friedan, writer, activist, feminist, author of The Feminine Mystique
  • William Friedkin, Oscar-winning director, The Exorcist, The French Connection, Sorcerer, To Live and Die in L.A.
  • Kinky Friedman, musician, novelist, Texas politician
  • Leo Friedman, songwriter, "Let Me Call You Sweetheart"
  • Milton Friedman, Nobel Prize-winning economist
  • Friend & Lover, singing duo, "Reach out of the Darkness"
  • Owen Friend, MLB infielder 1949–56
  • Johnny Frigo, violinist, bassist and songwriter
  • Art Fromme, MLB pitcher 1906–15
  • Charles Sumner Frost, architect of Navy Pier Auditorium, LaSalle Street Station (born in Maine)
  • Jim Fuchs, two-time Olympic medalist, 1951 Pan Am Games shot put and discus champion
  • Nicholas J. Fuentes, paleoconservative political commentator, podcaster, activist
  • Francis Fukuyama, philosopher, political economist, author
  • Charles Eugene Fuller, U.S. Representative 1903–13, 1915–26
  • Jack Fuller, editor and publisher of Chicago Tribune
  • Loie Fuller, pioneer of modern dance
  • Melville Fuller, lawyer, editor, politician, Chief Justice of United States 1888–1910 (born in Maine)
  • R. Buckminster Fuller, scientist, architect, inventor, author
  • Hugh Fullerton, early 20th Century sportswriter, exposed Black Sox scandal
  • Xavier Fulton, tackle in Canadian Football League
  • Zach Fulton, NFL offensive lineman 2014–21 (born in Michigan)
  • Ivan Fuqua, relay gold medalist, 1932 Summer Olympics
  • George Furth, playwright, actor, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Shampoo, Cannonball Run
  • Jules Furthman, Oscar-nominated screenwriter, Mutiny on the Bounty, To Have and Have Not, Rio Bravo

G

Ga–Gd

thumb|160px|[[Aimee Garcia]]

thumb|160px|[[Merrick Garland]]

  • Marianne Gaba, actress, Miss Illinois USA 1957, Playboy Playmate
  • Andrew Gabel, speed skater, 1994 Olympic silver medalist
  • John Wayne Gacy, serial killer
  • Gadabout Gaddis, fly-fishing expert
  • Eddie Gaedel, baseball pinch-hitter
  • Belva Gaertner, inspiration for "Velma Kelly" in play and film Chicago
  • Gary Gaetti, MLB third baseman 1981–2000, won 1987 World Series with Minnesota Twins
  • Jim Gaffigan, comedian and actor
  • Ben Gage, announcer, husband of Esther Williams
  • Lyman J. Gage, politician (Republican), banker and US Secretary of The Treasury (born in New York)
  • Frank Galati, screenwriter and playwright
  • Milt Galatzer, MLB outfielder 1933–39
  • George Washington Gale, namesake of Galesburg, founder of Knox College (born in New York)
  • Gladys Gale, singer and actress
  • Johnny Galecki, actor, Roseanne, The Big Bang Theory
  • Harry Gallatin, forward for New York Knicks, player and coach for Southern Illinois, basketball Hall of Fame
  • Mary Onahan Gallery, writer, editor
  • Tom Gallery, actor, married to ZaSu Pitts
  • Ralph Galloway, pro football player
  • Paul Galvin, founder of Motorola
  • Harry Gamage, football coach, South Dakota, Kentucky
  • Lu Gambino, football player, MVP of 1948 Gator Bowl
  • Kevin Gamble, player for four NBA teams
  • Mason Gamble, actor, Dennis the Menace, Spy Hard, Rushmore
  • James Gammon, actor, Nash Bridges, Revenge, Major League
  • Gale Gand, chef, television personality
  • Mike Gandy, NFL lineman 2001–09
  • Jeanne Gang, architect
  • Terry Gannon, sportscaster for NBC, Golf Channel, basketball player for 1983 NCAA champion NC State
  • Rudolph Ganz, pianist, music educator (born in Switzerland)
  • Alan Garber, provost and president, Harvard University
  • Aimee Garcia, actress, Dexter, Greetings from Tucson, George Lopez
  • Dave Garcia, MLB manager
  • Barry Gardner, NFL player 1999–2006
  • Earle Gardner, MLB player 1908–1912
  • Robert Gardner, golfer, two-time U.S. Amateur champion
  • Wix Garner, football coach, Western Illinois 1942–47
  • Merrick Garland, attorney, judge, United States Attorney General
  • Jeff Garlin, actor, comedian, director, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Daddy Day Care, The Goldbergs
  • Rita Garman, judge, Supreme Court of Illinois 2001–22
  • Lee Garmes, Oscar-winning cinematographer
  • Kevin Garnett, NBA center 1995–2016, 2000 Olympic gold medalist, 2004 MVP of NBA, Hall of Fame (born in South Carolina)
  • Jimmy Garoppolo, quarterback for Eastern Illinois and four NFL teams
  • Scott Garrelts, pitcher for San Francisco Giants 1982-91
  • Darell Garretson, NBA referee in Hall of Fame
  • Augustus Garrett, land speculator, Mayor of Chicago 1843–46 (born in New York)
  • Dick Garrett, guard for four NBA teams
  • Harriet E. Garrison, physician; medical writer
  • Dave Garroway, Chicago radio-TV personality, first host of NBC's Today show (born in New York)
  • Jennie Garth, actress, Beverly Hills, 90210
  • Elbert Henry Gary, lawyer, county judge, corporate officer, a U.S. Steel founder; Gary, Indiana named for him
  • John Warne Gates, barbed wire mogul, founder of company that became Texaco
  • William Gates, subject of documentary Hoop Dreams
  • Bryan Gaul, pro soccer player
  • Janina Gavankar, actress, True Blood, The Mysteries of Laura
  • Hobart R. Gay, World War II general
  • Mitzi Gaynor, entertainer and actress, South Pacific, There's No Business Like Show Business, The Joker Is Wild, Golden Girl, Les Girls

Ge–Gm

thumb|160px|[[Jami Gertz]]

  • Jason Gedrick, actor, Iron Eagle, Boomtown, Murder One, Luck
  • Eric Gehrig, pro soccer player
  • Gary Geiger, outfielder for four MLB teams
  • Bill Geist, author, TV correspondent, CBS Sunday Morning
  • Willie Geist, co-host of MSNBC's Morning Joe and NBC's Today
  • Larry Gelbart, Emmy-winning television and Oscar-nominated film writer, Tony-winning playwright
  • Michael Gelman, television producer
  • Angelo Genna, organized crime figure (born in Sicily)
  • Bill George, 13-year linebacker for Chicago Bears, member of Pro Football Hall of Fame (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Francis George, Roman Catholic cardinal, Archbishop of Chicago
  • Kenny George, among tallest basketball players in history
  • Phil Georgeff, horse-racing caller of more than 95,000 races
  • Sid Gepford, NFL player
  • Henry Gerber, gay rights activist (born in Germany)
  • Neva Gerber, early 20th Century actress
  • Jami Gertz, actress, Still Standing, Sibs, Twister, Less than Zero
  • Jody Gerut, MLB outfielder 2003–10
  • Charlie Getzien, 19th Century MLB pitcher
  • Tavi Gevinson, blogger and feminist
  • Georgie Anne Geyer, journalist and author
  • Andrea M. Ghez, astrophysicist, 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics (born in New York)
  • Ray Giacoletti, basketball coach for Utah, Eastern Washington, Drake
  • Carl Giammarese, lead vocalist of The Buckinghams
  • Sam Giancana, organized crime figure
  • Mark Giangreco, Chicago sportscaster (born in New York)
  • John Giannini, basketball coach for Maine, La Salle
  • Alexi Giannoulias, state treasurer 2007–11, Illinois Secretary of State
  • Jim Gibbons, tight end for Detroit Lions 1958–68
  • Marla Gibbs, actress, The Jeffersons, 227, The Hughleys
  • Charles Gibson, television journalist and personality, ABC News and Good Morning, America
  • Diana Gibson, actress, Adventure's End, Behind the Headlines
  • Norwood Gibson, MLB pitcher 1903–06
  • Oliver Gibson, NFL defensive tackle 1995–2003
  • Emily Giffin, novelist
  • Barry Gifford, novelist, Wild at Heart
  • Florence Gilbert, silent-film actress
  • Warren Giles, National League president 1957–69, Hall of Fame
  • Zach Gilford, actor, Friday Night Lights
  • Kendall Gill, pro basketball player, commentator
  • Edward B. Giller, Air Force major general
  • Earl Gillespie, sportscaster
  • King C. Gillette, inventor of safety razor (born in Wisconsin)
  • Fred Gillies, tackle for Chicago Cardinals
  • Paul Gilmartin, comedian, podcaster, TV personality, Dinner and a Movie
  • Douglas H. Ginsburg, judge
  • Joe Girardi, MLB catcher 1989–2003, manager, four World Series championships with New York Yankees
  • Adele Givens, actress, The Hughleys, Queens of Comedy
  • Graham Glasgow, NFL offensive lineman
  • Ryan Glasgow, NFL defensive lineman 2017–20
  • Henry P. Glass, architect, Art Institute professor
  • Stephen Glass, journalist for The New Republic fired for fraud
  • Kid Gleason, player, manager for Chicago White Sox 1912–23 (born in New Jersey)
  • Roy Gleason, outfielder, 1-for-1 in only MLB at-bat
  • Otis F. Glenn, lawyer, U.S. Senator 1928–33
  • Caroline Glick, journalist, deputy managing editor of Jerusalem Post
  • Joseph Glidden, patented barbed wire (born in New York)
  • Gina Glocksen, two-time American Idol contestant
  • Al Glossop, MLB infielder 1939–46
  • Bruce Glover, actor, Diamonds Are Forever, Chinatown

Go–Gq

thumb|160px|[[Arthur Goldberg]]

  • Bob Goalby, professional golfer, winner of 1968 Masters Tournament
  • George Gobel, comedian, musician and Emmy Award-winning actor
  • Godfrey, comedian, actor
  • Timothy Goebel, figure skater, 2002 Olympics bronze medalist
  • John D. Goeken, founder of MCI Inc and Airfone
  • Billy Goelz, pro wrestler
  • Harold Goettler, World War I aviator
  • Mike Goff, NFL guard 1998–2009
  • Gracie Gold, U.S. champion figure skater (born in Massachusetts)
  • Albert Goldbarth, poet
  • Arthur Goldberg, U.S. Secretary of Labor 1961–62, Ambassador to U.N. 1965–68
  • Barry Goldberg, keyboardist, record producer
  • Bertrand Goldberg, architect, designer of Marina City
  • Sarah Goldberg, actress, 7th Heaven
  • Grant Golden, tennis player
  • Jack Golden, NFL linebacker 2000–03
  • James Goldman, playwright, Oscar-winning screenwriter, The Lion in Winter, Nicholas and Alexandra, Robin and Marian
  • Ronald Goldman, murder victim in O. J. Simpson trial
  • William Goldman, author, Oscar-winning screenwriter, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, All the President's Men, The Princess Bride
  • Arlene Golonka, actress, Mayberry R.F.D., Hang 'Em High, The Busy Body
  • Andrew Golota, heavyweight boxer, 1988 Summer Olympics medalist (born in Poland)
  • Jaslene Gonzalez, fashion model, winner of America's Next Top Model Cycle 8
  • Benny Goodman, musician and bandleader, recipient of Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Steve Goodman, singer-songwriter, "City of New Orleans"
  • William O. Goodman, lumber tycoon, founder of Goodman Theater (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Charles Goodnight, cattle baron and trailblazer
  • Andrew Goodpaster, U.S. Army general, NATO Supreme Commander, superintendent of West Point
  • Ron Gora, swimmer, NCAA and Pan-Am Games champion
  • Alicia Goranson, actress, Roseanne, Boys Don't Cry, The Conners
  • Sarah Gorden, pro soccer player
  • Seth Gordon, director, Horrible Bosses, Identity Thief
  • Stuart Gordon, director, writer, producer, Re-Animator
  • Edward Gorey, artist and writer
  • Ken Gorgal, defensive back, 1950, 1954 NFL champion
  • Mark Gorski, cyclist, gold medalist in 1984 Summer Olympics
  • Tom Gorzelanny, pitcher for five MLB teams
  • Freeman Gosden, co-creator and star of Amos 'n' Andy
  • Tuffy Gosewisch, catcher for Arizona Diamondbacks
  • Jeff Gossett, NFL punter 1981–96
  • Sue Gossick, diver, gold medalist in 1968 Summer Olympics
  • Mark Gottfried, basketball coach, Alabama, NC State, Cal State Northridge (born in Ohio)
  • Robert Gottschalk, cameraman, founder of Panavision
  • Chester Gould, creator of Dick Tracy (born in Oklahoma)

Gra–Grd

160px|thumb|[[Otto Graham]]

160px|thumb|[[Ulysses S. Grant]]

  • Harry Grabiner, longtime White Sox executive
  • Jim Grabowski, MVP of 1964 Rose Bowl, running back for Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, broadcaster
  • Joe Grace, MLB outfielder 1938–47
  • Thomas Joseph Grady, archbishop of Orlando, Florida 1974-89
  • Joseph V. Graff, lawyer, U.S. Representative 1895–1911 (born in Indiana)
  • Billy Graham, evangelist (born in North Carolina)
  • Bruce Graham, architect of Sears Tower and John Hancock Center (born in Colombia)
  • Kent Graham, NFL quarterback 1992–2002
  • Otto Graham, Hall of Fame quarterback for Cleveland Browns, head coach for Washington Redskins
  • Nancy Lee Grahn, actress, General Hospital, Santa Barbara
  • Peaches Graham, early 20th Century ballplayer
  • Stedman Graham, businessman, partner of Oprah Winfrey
  • Judy Grahn, poet
  • Billy Grammer, musician, "Detroit City"
  • Curtis Granderson, MLB outfielder 2004–19, three-time All-Star
  • Red Grange, college and pro Hall of Fame football player (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Bill Granger, novelist and journalist (born in Wisconsin)
  • Bob Grant, radio personality
  • Frederick Dent Grant, soldier, diplomat, son of President Ulysses S. Grant
  • James Grant, first president of Chicago and Rock Island Railroad
  • James Edward Grant, screenwriter, The Alamo, Hondo, McLintock!
  • Mark Grant, MLB pitcher 1984–93, broadcaster
  • Michael Grant, boxer
  • Ulysses S. Grant, commander of Illinois regiment, Civil War general and 18th President of the United States (1869–1877) (born in Ohio)
  • Ulysses S. Grant III, soldier, city planner, grandson of U.S. Grant
  • Cammi Granato, captain of 1998 Winter Olympics gold-medal U.S. women's hockey team, Hockey Hall of Fame
  • Don Granato, head coach of Buffalo Sabres 2020–24
  • Tony Granato, player for three NHL teams, head coach of Colorado Avalanche 2002–04
  • Bonita Granville, film actress and TV producer, Nancy Drew franchise, The Glass Key, Now, Voyager
  • Laura Granville, professional tennis player, two-time NCAA champion
  • Nick Gravenites, blues musician
  • Catt Gravitt, songwriter
  • Beatrice Gray, actress
  • Charles McNeill Gray, candle maker, Mayor of Chicago 1853–54 (born in New York)
  • Clifford Gray, two-time gold medalist in 1932 Winter Olympics bobsled
  • Dolores Gray, actress, Designing Woman, It's Always Fair Weather, Kismet, The Opposite Sex
  • Glen Gray, bandleader and musician
  • Harold Gray, creator of Little Orphan Annie
  • Kenneth J. Gray, Air Force combat pilot, U.S. Representative 1955–89
  • William S. Gray, co-created Dick and Jane stories
  • Eli Grba, MLB pitcher 1959–63

Gre–Grz

thumb|160px|[[Shawn Green]]

  • Andrew Greeley, Catholic priest, sociologist, columnist and author
  • Chad Green, pitcher for New York Yankees (born in South Carolina)
  • Dwight H. Green, 1941–49 Governor of Illinois, prosecutor of Al Capone (born in Indiana)
  • Rickey Green, guard for eight NBA teams
  • Shawn Green, MLB two-time All Star outfielder 1993–2007, had four-homer game
  • Gus Greenbaum, Chicago gangster, ran Flamingo Las Vegas
  • Seymour Greenberg, four-time US Open tennis quarterfinalist
  • Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC television entertainment
  • Dan Greenburg, author, husband of Nora Ephron
  • Gene Greene, ragtime musician
  • Kevin Greene, Hall of Fame linebacker for five NFL teams
  • Shecky Greene, comedian and actor, Tony Rome, History of the World, Part I, Splash
  • Ralph Greenleaf, pocket billiards Hall of Fame
  • Sam Greenlee, novelist, government agent
  • Luke Gregerson, MLB pitcher 2009–19, member of 2017 World Series champion Houston Astros
  • Virginia Gregg, actress
  • Rose Gregorio, Tony Award-nominated actress
  • Brian Gregory, basketball head coach, Georgia Tech, Dayton, South Florida
  • John Milton Gregory, first president of University of Illinois (born in New York)
  • Wilton Daniel Gregory, archbishop of Washington
  • Lori Greiner, TV personality, Shark Tank
  • Matt Grevers, two-time relay gold medalist in 2008 Olympic Games, backstroke gold in 2012 Olympics
  • Elmer Grey, architect of The Beverly Hills Hotel
  • Tom Gries, director, Will Penny, 100 Rifles, Breakheart Pass
  • Kenneth C. Griffin, financier, philanthropist (born in Florida)
  • Johnny Griffin, bop sax musician
  • Kathy Griffin, actress, Emmy-winning comedian, My Life on the D-List, Fashion Police
  • Marion Mahony Griffin, pioneering architect
  • Montell Griffin, boxer, WBC light-heavyweight champ
  • Walter Burley Griffin, architect, associated with Frank Lloyd Wright
  • Charles B. Griffith, screenwriter, The Little Shop of Horrors, Death Race 2000, Eat My Dust!
  • Clark Griffith, baseball player, manager, owner in Hall of Fame (born in Missouri)
  • Howard Griffith, NFL running back 1991–2001, eight-TD game for Illinois
  • John L. Griffith, first commissioner of Big Ten Conference
  • Rashard Griffith, pro basketball player
  • Yolanda Griffith, 2000 and 2004 Olympic basketball gold medalist, eight-time WNBA All-Star, 1999 league MVP
  • Boomer Grigsby, NFL fullback 2005–09
  • Dennis Grimaldi, Broadway choreographer, producer
  • Charlie Grimm, player and manager for Cubs (born in Missouri)
  • Gary Groh, golfer
  • Bob Groom, MLB pitcher 1909–18
  • Mary Gross, actress, Saturday Night Live, Feds, The Couch Trip, Troop Beverly Hills
  • Michael Gross, actor, Family Ties, Big Business, The Young and the Restless, Tremors
  • Johnny Groth, MLB outfielder 1946–60
  • Orval Grove, pitcher for White Sox 1940–49 (born in Kansas)
  • Sophie Naylor Grubb, activist, writer, lecturer
  • Johnny Gruelle, cartoonist, creator of Raggedy Ann
  • Dov Grumet-Morris, professional ice hockey player
  • Tim Grunhard, NFL center 1990–2000
  • John M. Grunsfeld, astronaut and physicist
  • Glen Grunwald, general manager of NBA's New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors

Gs–Gz

  • Lisa Guerrero, model and television personality
  • Ozzie Guillén, infielder, manager for White Sox (born in Venezuela)
  • Charles J. Guiteau, assassin of President James A. Garfield
  • John Guleserian, cinematographer
  • Bill Gullickson, MLB pitcher 1979–94 (born in Minnesota)
  • Bryant Gumbel, television journalist (born in Louisiana)
  • Greg Gumbel, television sportscaster (born in Louisiana)
  • Frank W. Gunsaulus, educator, orator and minister (born in Ohio)
  • Charles F. Gunther, confectioner, introduced CrackerJack (born in Germany)
  • John Gunther, foreign correspondent and author
  • Larry Gura, pitcher for Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs
  • Walter S. Gurnee, tannery owner, Mayor of Chicago 1851–53; Gurnee named for him (born in New York)
  • Andy Gustafson, football coach, Virginia Tech, Miami
  • Frankie Gustine, MLB infielder 1939–50
  • Luke Guthrie, golfer
  • Luis Gutiérrez, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative 1993–2019
  • Buddy Guy, blues guitarist, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
  • A.J. Guyton, basketball player
  • Boone Guyton, test pilot, aviation pioneer
  • Brad Guzan, pro soccer goalkeeper

H

Haa–Ham

thumb|208x208px|[[Gene Hackman]]

thumb|150px|[[Kathryn Hahn]]

  • Bert Haas, MLB first baseman 1937–51
  • Carl Haas, auto racing executive (born in Germany)
  • Jay Haas, pro golfer, nine-time PGA Tour winner (born in Missouri)
  • Jerry Haas, pro golfer, college coach
  • Stan Hack, player and manager for Chicago Cubs (born in California)
  • Warren Hacker, MLB pitcher 1948–61
  • Gene Hackman, Oscar-winning actor, The French Connection, Superman, Hoosiers, Unforgiven (born in California)
  • H. G. Hadden, 1895 football player-coach for Notre Dame
  • Jerry Hadley, operatic tenor
  • Mickey Haefner, MLB pitcher 1943–50
  • Jean Hagen, Oscar-nominated actress, Singin' in the Rain, Adam's Rib, The Asphalt Jungle, Make Room for Daddy
  • Kevin Hagen, actor, Little House on the Prairie
  • Hager Twins, country music duo
  • Michael G. Hagerty, actor, Lucky Louie, Friends
  • Tyjuan Hagler, NFL player
  • Kathryn Hahn, actress, Crossing Jordan, Step Brothers, We're the Millers, Glass Onion, WandaVision
  • Rick Hahn, general manager of Chicago White Sox 2012–23
  • John Charles Haines, water commissioner, Mayor of Chicago 1858–60 (born in New York)
  • Jerry Hairston Jr., baseball player for nine MLB teams
  • George Halas, co-founder of National Football League, coach-owner of Chicago Bears, member of Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • George Halas Jr., president of Chicago Bears 1963–79
  • Walter Halas, basketball coach, Notre Dame, Drexel
  • Barbara Hale, Emmy-winning actress, Della Street on Perry Mason
  • DeMarlo Hale, MLB bench coach
  • George E. Hale, astronomer
  • Arthur R. Hall, football player and coach for Illinois
  • Bryan Hall, pro football player 2011–17
  • Buddy Hall, pocket billiards Hall of Fame
  • Edward K. Hall, football and baseball coach for Illinois
  • Glenn Hall, 10-year Hall of Fame goalie for Blackhawks (born in Canada)
  • Lani Hall, singer, wife of Herb Alpert
  • Gary Hallberg, pro golfer, sixth in 1985 Masters
  • Bill Haller, Major League Baseball umpire
  • Tom Haller, MLB catcher, coach, executive
  • Brett Halliday, mystery writer
  • Lin Halliday, saxophonist (born in Arkansas)
  • Robert Halperin, Olympic yachting medalist, football player, World War II hero, chairman of Commercial Light Co.
  • Victor Halperin, film director, White Zombie
  • Halston, fashion designer (born in Iowa)
  • Roy Hamey, general manager of New York Yankees 1960–63
  • Dorothy Hamill, figure skater, gold medalist in 1976 Winter Olympics and 1976 world champion
  • Earl Hamilton, MLB pitcher 1911–24
  • Frank Hamilton, singer with The Weavers
  • John B. Hamilton, U.S. Surgeon General 1879–91
  • John Marshall Hamilton, attorney, Governor of Illinois 1883–85 (born in Ohio)
  • Todd Hamilton, pro golfer, winner of 2004 British Open
  • Penny Hammel, pro golfer, winner of 1983 NCAA championship
  • Richard Hamming, prominent mathematician, inventor of Hamming code and Hamming window
  • John Hammond, general manager of Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks
  • Laurens Hammond, inventor of Hammond organ
  • Dan Hampton, Hall of Fame defensive end for Chicago Bears (born in Arkansas)

Han–Har

thumb|225x225px|[[Daryl Hannah]]

thumb|200x200px|[[Justin Hartley]]

  • Herbie Hancock, jazz musician, Grammy and Oscar winner
  • Elliot Handler, co-founder of Mattel toy company
  • Phil Handler, NFL player and coach
  • Jam Handy, Olympic swimmer (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Daryl Hannah, actress, Splash, Blade Runner, Wall Street, Steel Magnolias, Kill Bill
  • Page Hannah, philanthropist and actress, Shag, Fame
  • Lorraine Hansberry, playwright, A Raisin in the Sun
  • Henry C. Hansbrough, U.S. Senator of North Dakota 1891–1909
  • Brian Hansen, speed skater, 2010 Winter Olympics silver medalist
  • Chris Hansen, television journalist
  • Joseph T. Hansen, labor leader
  • Myrna Hansen, 1953 Miss USA, actress
  • Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of Chicken Soup for the Soul
  • Snipe Hansen, MLB pitcher 1930–35
  • Ray Hanson, football coach, Western Illinois 1926–41 (born in Minnesota)
  • Robert Hanssen, FBI agent convicted of espionage
  • Norman Hapgood, editor, ambassador to Denmark 1919
  • J. A. Happ, MLB relief pitcher 2007–21
  • Luke Harangody, pro basketball player, 2008 Big East Player of the Year
  • Clay Harbor, NFL tight end 2010–17
  • James Harbord, World War I general, chairman of RCA
  • Tim Hardaway, NBA player 1989–2003 and 2000 Sydney Olympics gold medalist
  • Abner C. Harding, Civil War officer, U.S. Representative (born in Connecticut)
  • Cory Hardrict, actor, American Sniper, The Outpost
  • Phil Hare, U.S. Representative 2007–11
  • Alan Hargesheimer, MLB pitcher 1980–86
  • Cory Harkey, NFL tight end 2012–16
  • James Harlan, Iowa senator, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, son-in-law of Abraham Lincoln
  • John Marshall Harlan II, justice of U.S. Supreme Court 1955–71
  • Chic Harley, running back, College Football Hall of Fame
  • Jean Harlow, actress, Lake Forest student (born in Missouri)
  • Deborah Harmon, actress, Just the Ten of Us, Used Cars
  • Merle Harmon, sports broadcaster
  • Reginald C. Harmon, Air Force general
  • Ann Harnett, pro baseball player
  • Elise Harney, pro baseball player
  • Sheldon Harnick, lyricist, Fiddler on the Roof
  • Erika Harold, model, 2003 Miss America, conservative activist, attorney
  • Dawn Harper, hurdler, gold medalist in 2008 Beijing Olympics
  • Jesse Harper, football coach for Notre Dame 1913–17
  • Jessica Harper, actress, My Favorite Year, Stardust Memories, Pennies from Heaven, Suspiria
  • Michael Harper, basketball player, North Park and Portland Trail Blazers
  • William Rainey Harper, first president of University of Chicago and Bradley (born in Ohio)
  • Ken Harrelson, baseball player, executive, broadcaster (born in South Carolina)
  • Will Harridge, president of baseball's American League 1931–59
  • Arne Harris, television sports producer
  • Barbara Harris, Oscar-nominated actress, Nashville, Plaza Suite, Family Plot, Freaky Friday
  • E.B. Harris, 25-year president of Chicago Mercantile Exchange
  • Eddie Harris, saxophonist
  • Emily Harris, kidnapper of Patty Hearst
  • Harry Harris, boxer
  • Janet Harris, member of Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
  • Moira Harris, actress, One More Saturday Night, Breakdown, wife of Gary Sinise
  • Napoleon Harris, linebacker in NFL, member of Illinois Senate
  • Patricia Roberts Harris, diplomat, Cabinet member of President Jimmy Carter
  • Paul P. Harris, founder of Rotary International (born in Wisconsin)
  • Robin Harris, comedian and actor, House Party, Do the Right Thing
  • Steve Harris, actor, The Practice, Diary of a Mad Black Woman
  • Sydney J. Harris, syndicated columnist (born in England)
  • Wood Harris, actor, The Wire, Ant-Man, Creed films
  • Carter Harrison III, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative, mayor of Chicago 1879–1887, 1893 (born in Kentucky)
  • Carter Harrison IV, politician (Democrat), mayor of Chicago 1897–1905, 1911–15
  • Nolan Harrison, NFL defensive end 1991–2000
  • Rodney Harrison, NFL defensive back, won two Super Bowls with New England Patriots
  • Dolores Hart, actress, Loving You, Lonelyhearts, Sail a Crooked Ship, Where the Boys Are
  • Jim Hart, quarterback for NFL's St. Louis Cardinals 1966–83
  • Pearl M. Hart, attorney and activist
  • Justin Hartley, actor, Passions, The Young and the Restless, Smallville
  • Mary Hartline, television personality, Super Circus
  • Johnny Hartman, jazz singer (born in Louisiana)
  • Gabby Hartnett, Hall of Fame catcher for Chicago Cubs (born in Rhode Island)
  • Lynne Cooper Harvey, radio producer (born in Missouri)
  • Paul Harvey, radio personality, Chicago-based for more than 60 years (born in Oklahoma)

Has–Haz

  • Karen Hasara, politician (Republican), first female mayor of Springfield
  • Dennis Hastert, teacher, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative, Speaker of the House 1998–2006, imprisoned 2016
  • Wilbur Hatch, bandleader, I Love Lucy
  • Donny Hathaway, singer, "Where Is the Love"
  • Helge Alexander Haugan, businessman, banker (born in Norway)
  • H. (Hauman) G. Haugan, railroad executive, brother of Helge A. Haugan (born in Norway)
  • Reidar Rye Haugan, newspaper publisher (born in Norway)
  • Enid A. Haupt, magazine publisher, philanthropist
  • Herbert Hans Haupt, executed spy (born in Germany)
  • June Haver, actress, The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady, The Dolly Sisters, Look for the Silver Lining, wife of Fred MacMurray
  • Brent Hawkins, pro football player 2006–13
  • Coleman Hawkins, saxophonist (born in Missouri)
  • Fred Hawkins, golfer, co-runner-up in 1958 Masters
  • Hersey Hawkins, guard for five NBA teams
  • LaRoyce Hawkins, actor, Chicago P.D.
  • Tom Hawkins, basketball player, baseball executive
  • John Hay, secretary to Abe Lincoln, U.S. Secretary of State under William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt (born in Indiana)
  • Kelvin Hayden, NFL cornerback 2005–14, won Super Bowl XLI
  • Julie Haydon, actress, The Scoundrel, The Conquerors
  • Bernadene Hayes, actress, Idiot's Delight, Dick Tracy's Dilemma
  • Bill Hayes, actor, Days of Our Lives
  • Billie Hayes, actress, Li'l Abner
  • Charles Hayes, union official, U.S. Representative 1983–93
  • Reggie Hayes, actor, Girlfriends
  • Sean Hayes, Emmy-winning actor, Will & Grace, The Bucket List, Martin and Lewis, The Three Stooges
  • Kathryn Hays, actress, As the World Turns
  • Reggie Hayward, NFL defensive end 2001-09
  • Hurley Haywood, auto racer in Motorsports Hall of Fame of America

He–Hh

thumb|225x225px|[[Hugh Hefner]]

thumb|191x191px|[[Rickey Henderson]]

thumb|191x191px|[[Charlton Heston]]

  • Luther Head, basketball player, 2005 Illinois national runners-up
  • Nathan Heald, commandant of Fort Dearborn 1810–12 (born in New Hampshire)
  • Egyptian Healy, 19th Century pitcher
  • George Peter Alexander Healy, painter (born in Massachusetts)
  • Pat Healy, actor, Station 19, Draft Day
  • Jane Heap, writer and publisher (born in Kansas)
  • Chick Hearn, Hall of Fame basketball broadcaster for Los Angeles Lakers
  • Monroe Heath, politician (Republican), Mayor of Chicago 1876–79 (born in New Hampshire)
  • Erin Heatherton, fashion model
  • Harry Hebner, three-time Olympian, 1912 backstroke gold medalist
  • Ben Hecht, reporter, war correspondent, activist, playwright, director, Oscar-winning screenwriter
  • Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, professional wrestler, manager, TV commentator
  • Kyle T. Heffner, actor, Flashdance, When Harry Met Sally..., Runaway Train
  • Richard T. Heffron, director, I, the Jury, Futureworld, Outlaw Blues
  • Christie Hefner, former Playboy company CEO
  • Hugh Hefner, magazine publisher, founder of Playboy
  • James V. Heidinger, U.S. Representative 1941–45
  • Mike Heimerdinger, assistant coach for Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans
  • Don Heinrich, NFL quarterback 1953–62 and coach, College Football Hall of Fame
  • Ryan Held, swimmer, 2016 Summer Olympics gold medalist
  • Marg Helgenberger, actress, Northwestern alumna, CSI (born in Nebraska)
  • William Heirens, convicted murderer, served 65 years in prison
  • James Meredith Helm, admiral, Spanish–American War
  • Ernest Hemingway, iconic author, Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning journalist and novelist
  • Grace Hall Hemingway, opera singer, mother of Ernest Hemingway
  • Terri Hemmert, Chicago radio personality (born in Ohio)
  • Bill Henderson, jazz singer, actor, Clue, City Slickers
  • Rickey Henderson, Hall of Fame outfielder, holds MLB record for career stolen bases
  • Thomas J. Henderson, Civil War general, U.S. Representative (born in Tennessee)
  • Jack Hendricks, manager of Cincinnati Reds 1924–29
  • Sue Hendrickson, paleontologist, discoverer of Sue the dinosaur
  • Tim Hendryx, MLB outfielder 1911–21
  • Max Henius, biochemist, co-founder of American Academy of Brewing
  • Marilu Henner, actress, author, Taxi, Evening Shade, Noises Off, Johnny Dangerously, L.A. Story
  • Anne Henning, speed skater, 1992 Olympic gold medalist (born in North Carolina)
  • John W. Henry, businessman and investor, owner of Boston Red Sox and The Boston Globe
  • Ken Henry, speed skater, gold medalist in 1952 Winter Olympics
  • Roy Henshaw, MLB pitcher 1933–44
  • Kelley Menighan Hensley, actress, As the World Turns
  • Lou Henson, 21-year head coach of Illinois basketball (born in Oklahoma)
  • Craig Hentrich, NFL punter 1993–2009
  • Herblock (Herbert Block), cartoonist, winner of three Pulitzer Prizes
  • William Herndon, law partner and biographer of Abe Lincoln, mayor of Springfield
  • James B. Herrick, physician who discovered sickle-cell disease
  • Clarence Herschberger, All-American athlete for University of Chicago 1894–98
  • Seymour Hersh, Pulitzer-winning investigative journalist
  • John D. Hertz, founder of Yellow Cab Company and The Hertz Corporation (born in Hungary)
  • Whitey Herzog, outfielder, Hall of Fame baseball manager, primarily with St. Louis Cardinals
  • Charlton Heston, Oscar-winning actor, political activist, The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur, El Cid, The Greatest Show on Earth, The Agony and the Ecstasy, Touch of Evil, Planet of the Apes
  • Willie Heston, halfback, College Football Hall of Fame

Hi–Hn

thumb|150px|[[Joan Higginbotham]]

  • John Grier Hibben, president of Princeton University 1912–32
  • Jesse Hibbs, football player for USC, film and TV director
  • Jim Hickey, MLB pitching coach
  • Kevin Hickey, pitcher for White Sox and Baltimore Orioles
  • Fred Hickman, sportscaster
  • Wild Bill Hickok, Wild West gunfighter and lawman, depicted in The Plainsman, Calamity Jane, Wild Bill
  • Ronald Aldon Hicks, bishop of Joliet
  • Hal Higdon, runner and writer
  • Joan Higginbotham, astronaut
  • Jarad Higgins, hip-hop musician and songwriter
  • Jack Higgins, cartoonist, 1989 Pulitzer Prize winner
  • Joel Higgins, actor, Silver Spoons
  • Rod Higgins, forward for seven NBA tams, executive for Charlotte Hornets
  • Andy High, MLB third baseman 1922–34
  • Nat Hiken, creator, Car 54, Where Are You?, The Phil Silvers Show
  • Ernest Hilgard, psychologist
  • Nick Hill, football head coach, Southern Illinois
  • Virginia Hill, moll to Chicago Outfit mob (born in Alabama)
  • Homer Hillebrand, MLB player 1905–08
  • Chuck Hiller, MLB player, hit grand slam home run in 1962 World Series
  • Charles T. Hinde, founder of Hotel del Coronado (born in Ohio)
  • Harry Hinde, Missouri politician, aircraft designer
  • Thomas S. Hinde, founder of Mount Carmel, friend of Mark Twain
  • Earl Hines, jazz musician (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Garrett Hines, bobsled silver medalist at 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics
  • Tony Hinkle, basketball coach (born in Indiana)
  • Chris Hinton, tackle for Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons
  • Milt Hinton, jazz musician (born in Mississippi)
  • Edward Hirsch, poet and critic
  • Lew Hitch, won two NBA championships with Minneapolis Lakers
  • Michael Hitchcock, actor, MADtv, Wild Hogs, Glee (born in Ohio)
  • Les Hite, bandleader
  • Robert R. Hitt, U.S. Representative 1882–1906 (born in Ohio)

Ho–Ht

thumb|208x208px|[[William Holden]]

thumb|280x280px|[[Ralph Horween]]

  • Edward Francis Hoban, archbishop of Cleveland, Ohio 1945–66
  • Glen Hobbie, pitcher for Chicago Cubs 1957–64
  • Mellody Hobson, executive, chairperson of DreamWorks Animation, married to George Lucas
  • Nathan Hodel, NFL center 2001–09
  • Art Hodes, jazz pianist (born in Ukraine)
  • John R. Hodge, commanding general of U.S. Third Army
  • Craig Hodges, NBA guard, primarily with Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls
  • Reggie Hodges, NFL punter 2005–12
  • Tom Hoff, volleyball player, gold medalist in 2008 Beijing Olympics
  • Guy Hoffman, pitcher in MLB and Japan
  • Julius Hoffman, judge in trial of Chicago Seven
  • Isabella Hofmann, actress, Dear John, Homicide: Life on the Street, JAG
  • Paul G. Hoffman, auto executive and statesman
  • James F. Hoge Jr., editor and publisher of Chicago Sun-Times, New York Daily News
  • Helen E. Hokinson, cartoonist for The New Yorker
  • William Holabird, architect (born in New York)
  • Stu Holcomb, GM of White Sox and Chicago Mustangs soccer, Northwestern athletic director
  • Charles C. P. Holden, 19th Century politician (born in New Hampshire)
  • Jennifer Holden, actress, Buchanan Rides Alone, Jailhouse Rock
  • William Holden, Oscar-winning actor, Stalag 17, Sunset Boulevard, Born Yesterday, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Picnic, The Wild Bunch, Network
  • John Holecek, NFL linebacker 1995–2002, coach at Loyola Academy
  • Tony Holguin, golfer
  • Nicole Hollander, creator of comic strip Sylvia
  • Mabel Holle, baseball player
  • Robert W. Holley, biochemist, 1968 Nobel Prize
  • Loleatta Holloway, singer
  • Red Holloway, jazz musician
  • Celeste Holm, Oscar-winning actress, Gentleman's Agreement, All About Eve (born in New York)
  • Andre Holmes, NFL wide receiver 2011–18
  • H. H. Holmes, serial killer (born in New Hampshire)
  • Mary Emma Holmes, reformer, suffragist, and educator
  • Phyllis Holmes, basketball coach, Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
  • Richaun Holmes, NBA forward
  • Nick Holonyak, engineer and educator
  • Lester Holt, Chicago newscaster 1986–2000, NBC News anchor (born in California)
  • Redd Holt, jazz drummer
  • Stefan Holt, Chicago newscaster, son of Lester Holt
  • Jerome Holtzman, baseball writer and historian
  • Ken Holtzman, pitcher for University of Illinois, Cubs, Oakland A's, three-time World Series winner
  • Joseph R. Holzapple, U.S. Air Force four-star general
  • Dianne Holum, speed skater, Olympic gold medalist
  • James Holzhauer, TV game show champion, Jeopardy!
  • Skip Homeier, actor, The Gunfighter, The Tall T, Comanche Station
  • Gene Honda, announcer
  • John Honnold, professor at University of Pennsylvania Law School
  • Hector Honore, auto racer (born in Kansas)
  • Henry Honore, 19th Century real estate baron (born in Kentucky)
  • Ida Marie Honore, socialite, daughter-in-law of Ulysses S. Grant (born in Kentucky)
  • Raymond Hood, architect of Tribune Tower and Rockefeller Center (born in Rhode Island)
  • Jay Hook, MLB pitcher 1957–64
  • Michael Hoomanawanui, NFL tight end 2010–18, member of Super Bowl XLIX champion New England Patriots
  • Albert J. Hopkins, U.S. Representative 1885–1903, U.S. Senator 1903–09
  • Brad Hopkins, NFL offensive tackle 1993–2005 (born in South Carolina)
  • Fred Hopkins, jazz musician
  • John Patrick Hopkins, politician (Democrat), Mayor of Chicago 1893–95 (born in New York)
  • Michael S. Hopkins, astronaut, Illinois football player (born in Missouri)
  • Jeff Hornacek, NBA player 1986–2000, head coach of New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns
  • Henry Horner, politician (Democrat), Governor of Illinois 1933–40
  • Rogers Hornsby, Hall of Fame infielder, manager for Chicago Cubs (born in Texas)
  • Big Walter Horton, harmonica player in Blues Hall of Fame
  • Kathleen Horvath, pro tennis player
  • Arnold Horween, All-American for Harvard, NFL player
  • Ralph Horween, All-American for Harvard, NFL player
  • Frances Horwich, television personality, Miss Frances, host of Ding Dong School
  • Tanner Houck, MLB pitcher
  • Stanley Hough, horse racing trainer
  • Lin Houston, guard for 1950 NFL champion Cleveland Browns
  • Charles Edward Hovey, Civil War general, Peoria school superintendent, first president of Illinois State (born in Vermont)
  • Richard Hovey, poet
  • Del Howard, won 1907 and 1908 World Series with Chicago Cubs
  • Juwan Howard, forward for Michigan and eight NBA teams; two championships with Miami Heat, head coach at Michigan
  • Margaret Howard, countess
  • Margo Howard, writer, daughter of Ann Landers (born in Iowa)
  • Miki Howard, singer
  • Terrence Howard, Oscar-nominated actor, Hustle & Flow, Iron Man, Crash, Big Momma's House, The Butler, Empire
  • Tom Howard, photographer
  • Dick Howell, swimmer, 1924 Summer Olympics relay gold medalist
  • George Evan Howell, judge, U.S. Representative 1941–47
  • Yvonne Howell, actress, wife of director George Stevens
  • Howlin' Wolf, Chicago blues musician in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (born in Mississippi)

Hu–Hz

thumb|150px|[[Jennifer Hudson]]

thumb|150px|[[Matt Hughes (fighter)|Matt Hughes]]

  • Elbert Hubbard, writer, died on RMS Lusitania
  • Trenidad Hubbard, MLB outfielder 1994–2003
  • Edwin Hubble, astronomer (born in Missouri)
  • Janet Hubert, singer, actress, Fresh Prince of Bel Air
  • Kelli Hubly, pro soccer player
  • Winnifred Mason Huck, first Illinois woman in Congress
  • Reginald Hudlin, film director, producer, The Great White Hype, Django Unchained
  • Warrington Hudlin, film director, producer, House Party, Boomerang
  • Jennifer Hudson, TV personality, Grammy-winning R&B singer, Oscar-winning actress, Dreamgirls
  • Michael Hudson, economist
  • Otis Hudson, NFL lineman 2010–14
  • Rock Hudson, Oscar-nominated actor, Giant, Magnificent Obsession, Pillow Talk, A Farewell to Arms, Ice Station Zebra, McMillan and Wife
  • Troy Hudson, NBA guard 1998–2008
  • George Huff, 19th Century football and baseball coach for Illinois, athletic director 1901–35
  • Brandon Hughes, NFL cornerback 2009–14
  • Carol Hughes, actress, Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe
  • Jim Hughes, MLB pitcher 1952–57
  • John Hughes, director, producer, screenwriter, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, The Breakfast Club, Home Alone (born in Michigan)
  • John R. Hughes, cowboy, trail driver, Texas Ranger
  • Kim Hughes, pro basketball center and coach
  • Mary Beth Hughes, actress, The Ox-Bow Incident, Dressed to Kill, Caged Fury, Loophole, The Lady Confesses
  • Matt Hughes, mixed martial artist, UFC Hall of Fame
  • Pat Hughes, baseball broadcaster (born in Arizona)
  • Robert Hughes, NFL and Notre Dame fullback
  • Tom Hughes, MLB pitcher 1900–13
  • Wayne Huizenga, founder of Blockbuster video, owned Miami Dolphins, Florida Marlins
  • William Hulbert, baseball pioneer, president of Chicago White Stockings, who became the Cubs (born in New York)
  • Tim Hulett, MLB player and coach
  • Bobby Hull, Hall of Fame wing for Chicago Blackhawks (born in Canada)
  • Morton D. Hull, lawyer, U.S. Representative 1923–33
  • William E. Hull, postmaster of Peoria, U.S. Representative 1923–33
  • Robert Leo Hulseman, president of Solo Cup Company
  • Randy Hultgren, U.S. Representative 2011–19
  • Edward Hume, TV writer, The Day After
  • Paul Hume, music critic
  • Rick Hummel, baseball writer
  • Todd Hundley, catcher for several MLB teams (born in Virginia)
  • Murray Humphreys, organized crime figure
  • William L. Hungate, U.S. Representative of Missouri 1964–77
  • Chuck Hunsinger, pro football player
  • Bonnie Hunt, actress, director, talk-show host, Beethoven, Jerry Maguire, Cheaper by the Dozen, Return to Me
  • Brendan Hunt, co-creator and cast member of Ted Lasso
  • H. L. Hunt, oil tycoon
  • Jarvis Hunt, architect
  • Lester C. Hunt, U.S. Senator and Governor of Wyoming
  • Marsha Hunt, actress, Raw Deal, Panama Hattie, Johnny Got His Gun, Carnegie Hall
  • Myron Hunt, architect of Rose Bowl stadium (born in Massachusetts)
  • Richard Hunt, sculptor
  • Stephen Hunter, novelist, Pulitzer Prize-winning critic (born in Missouri)
  • Steven Hunter, center for four NBA teams
  • Stephen A. Hurlbut, lawyer, Civil War general, ambassador (born in South Carolina)
  • John Huston, pro golfer, top-five in 1990 Masters, 2000 U.S. Open
  • Ken Huszagh, swimmer, 1912 Olympic Games gold medalist
  • Robert Maynard Hutchins, lawyer, president of University of Chicago (born in New York)
  • Ina Ray Hutton, entertainer and bandleader
  • June Hutton, singer and actress
  • J. B. Hutto, blues musician (born in South Carolina)
  • Dick Hyde, MLB pitcher 1955–61
  • Henry J. Hyde, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative 1975–2007, chaired House Judiciary Committee
  • Ida Henrietta Hyde, physiologist and professor (born in Iowa)
  • J. Allen Hynek, astronomer, UFO authority

I

thumb|150x150px|[[Andre Iguodala]]

  • Harold L. Ickes, U.S. Secretary of the Interior under FDR and Truman (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Harold Iddings, college football, basketball coach
  • Andre Iguodala, four-time NBA champion player for Golden State Warriors, 2015 NBA Finals MVP
  • James Iha, musician with The Smashing Pumpkins
  • Tunch Ilkin, lineman, broadcaster for Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Margaret Illington, silent-film actress
  • Roger Imhof, actor
  • The Impressions, R&B group, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • Ebon C. Ingersoll, U.S. Representative 1864–70 (born in New York)
  • Robert G. Ingersoll, 19th Century Illinois Attorney General, reformer (born in New York)
  • Lloyd Ingraham, actor and director
  • Mark Ingram Sr., NFL wide receiver 1987–96, father of Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram II
  • Rex Ingram, actor, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Sahara, Cabin in the Sky, Your Cheatin' Heart
  • Jeff Innis, pitcher for New York Mets 1987–93
  • Samuel Insull, industrialist, builder of Chicago Opera House (born in England)
  • George Ireland, coach of Loyola team that won 1963 NCAA basketball championship (born in Wisconsin)
  • Jim Irsay, owner of NFL's Indianapolis Colts
  • Robert Irsay, owned Baltimore and Indianapolis Colts 1972–97
  • Dick Irvin, coach and first captain of Chicago Blackhawks (born in Canada)
  • Richard Irvin, mayor of Aurora
  • Wilson Irvine, impressionist painter
  • Charlie Irwin, MLB infielder 1893–1902
  • Ivan Irwin, NHL player, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens
  • Tom Irwin, actor, Saving Grace, My So-Called Life, Related
  • Jason Isringhausen, relief pitcher for six MLB teams
  • Dan Issel, Hall of Fame basketball player, University of Kentucky, Denver Nuggets, NBA coach and GM
  • Burl Ives, Oscar-winning actor, The Big Country, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; folk musician ("A Holly Jolly Christmas")
  • Judith Ivey, Tony Award-winning actress, Sister, Sister, Brighton Beach Memoirs, The Woman in Red (born in Texas)
  • Eugene Izzi, novelist working in hardboiled crime fiction

J

Ja–Jn

thumb|208x208px|[[Richard Jenkins]]

  • Ray Jablonski, MLB infielder 1953–59
  • Adoree Jackson, USC and NFL wide receiver
  • Frisman Jackson, NFL wide receiver 2002–07
  • Jesse Jackson, political activist and candidate, Baptist minister, TV commentator (born in South Carolina)
  • Jesse Jackson Jr., U.S. Representative, tendered resignation 2012
  • Jonathan Jackson, U.S. Representative
  • Leroy Jackson, three-time state 100-yard dash champion, NFL running back
  • Mahalia Jackson, gospel singer, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (born in Louisiana)
  • Mannie Jackson, owner of Harlem Globetrotters
  • Mark Jackson, NFL wide receiver 1986-94, played in three Super Bowl games
  • Michael Jackson, iconic pop singer (born in Indiana)
  • Phil Jackson, Hall of Fame coach of six-time NBA champion Chicago Bulls (born in Montana)
  • Shoeless Joe Jackson, outfielder for Black Sox banned from baseball (born in South Carolina)
  • Wilfred Jackson, animator, director of Disney's Fantasia, Dumbo, Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
  • Harry Jacobs, pro linebacker 1960–72, two AFL championships
  • Jim Jacobs, composer, Grease
  • Colombe Jacobsen, chef and actress
  • Baby Doll Jacobson, MLB outfielder 1915–27
  • Peter Jacobson, actor, House, Transformers, Ray Donovan
  • Walter Jacobson, television news journalist
  • Scott Jacoby, Emmy-winning actor
  • Andrea Jaeger, tennis player, Wimbledon and French Open finalist
  • Thomas Jaeschke, volleyball player, 2016 Olympic medalist
  • Evan Jager, distance runner, U.S. record holder in 3000m steeplechase
  • Tom Jager, swimmer, five-time Olympic champion, 11-time U.S. champion
  • Helmut Jahn, architect (born in Germany)
  • John Jakes, author, The Kent Family Chronicles, North and South
  • Ahmad Jamal, jazz pianist
  • Brian James, basketball coach
  • Edmund J. James, president of University of Illinois 1904–20
  • Joni James, singer, "Why Don't You Believe Me?"
  • Louis N. James, golfer, 1902 U.S. Amateur champion
  • Peter Francis James, actor, voice-over artist
  • William James, NFL defensive back 2001–10
  • Joyce Jameson, actress
  • Bob Jamieson, television journalist
  • Dick Jamieson, football coach 1972–97
  • Jim Jamieson, pro golfer (born in Michigan)
  • Bob Janecyk, NHL goalie 1983–89
  • Bill Janklow, 16-year Governor of South Dakota
  • Danny Jansen, MLB catcher
  • Natalie Jaresko, minister of finance, Ukraine
  • Joseph Jarman, jazz musician and Buddhist priest (born in Arkansas)
  • Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to President Barack Obama
  • Pat Jarvis, pitcher for Montreal Expos and Atlanta Braves
  • Ray Jauch, football player and coach
  • Dick Jauron, NFL defensive back, head coach of Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions
  • Dave Jauss, baseball coach and scout
  • William Jayne, first governor of Dakota Territory 1861–63
  • Betty Jaynes, singer and actress (born in Tennessee)
  • Robert Jeangerard, Olympic basketball gold medalist
  • Denise Jefferson, director Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 1984–2010
  • Thomas B. Jeffery, 19th Century auto and bicycle pioneer (born in England)
  • Mae Jemison, physician and astronaut (born in Alabama)
  • Joe Jemsek, golfer and owner of Cog Hill course
  • Edward H. Jenison, publisher, Naval commander, U.S. Representative (born in Wisconsin)
  • Ella Jenkins, educator, Grammy-winning singer
  • Ferguson Jenkins, Hall of Fame pitcher for Chicago Cubs (born in Canada)
  • LaTasha Jenkins, sprinter
  • Leroy Jenkins, violinist
  • Richard Jenkins, Oscar-nominated, Emmy-winning actor, The Visitor, Six Feet Under, Step Brothers, Olive Kitteridge
  • James M. Jenness, CEO of Kellogg's 2004–06
  • William Le Baron Jenney, architect, originator of metal-frame skyscraper (born in Massachusetts)
  • William Sherman Jennings, 18th Governor of Florida
  • Derrick Jensen, tight end for Oakland Raiders 1979–86
  • Jens Jensen, landscape architect (born in Denmark)
  • Jeremih, R&B singer
  • Garry Jestadt, MLB infielder 1969–72
  • Rob Jeter, basketball coach, Milwaukee, Western Illinois (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Sam Jethroe, outfielder, 1950 National League Rookie of the Year
  • Martin C. Jischke, president of Iowa State and Purdue

Jo–Jz

thumb|208x208px|[[Jake Johnson]]

  • Anton J. Johnson, dairy executive, mayor of Macomb, U.S. Representative
  • Armon Johnson, point guard for Portland Trail Blazers 2010–12
  • Arnold Johnson, owner of MLB's Philadelphia and Kansas City Athletics
  • Arte Johnson, actor, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
  • Bob Johnson, pitcher for five Major League teams
  • Bobby Johnson, wide receiver for New York Giants 1984–86
  • Brandon Johnson, 57th Mayor of Chicago
  • Carrie Ashton Johnson, newspaper editor, writer, suffragist
  • Charles R. Johnson, scholar, novelist, author of Middle Passage
  • Chic Johnson, comedian, Olsen and Johnson
  • Curley Johnson, player for Harlem Globetrotters
  • Diane Johnson, author and screenwriter, Le Divorce, The Shining
  • Don Johnson, MLB player, last Cub to bat in World Series before 2016
  • Eddie Johnson, player for six NBA teams
  • Ernie Johnson, MLB shortstop 1912–25
  • George E. Johnson Sr., cosmetics executive (born in Mississippi)
  • Howard Wesley Johnson, president of MIT, chairman of board of trustees
  • Jake Johnson, actor, New Girl, Let's Be Cops, The Mummy
  • Jan Johnson, three-time NCAA pole vault champion, 1972 Olympic medalist
  • Jim Johnson, defensive coordinator for Notre Dame, NFL teams
  • John H. Johnson, publisher of Ebony, Jet (born in Arkansas)
  • Lynn-Holly Johnson, professional ice skater and actress, Ice Castles, For Your Eyes Only
  • Mickey Johnson, NBA forward 1974–86
  • Nancy Johnson, U.S. Representative for Connecticut 1983–2007
  • Phillip E. Johnson, professor, father of intelligent design movement
  • Raylee Johnson, NFL defensive end 1993–2003
  • Richard Johnson, defensive back for Houston Oilers
  • Robert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television, owned Charlotte Bobcats (born in Mississippi)
  • Sheila Johnson, philanthropist, owner of Washington Mystics (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Syleena Johnson, singer and TV personality
  • Timothy V. Johnson, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative 2001–13
  • Luke Johnsos, player and coach for Chicago Bears
  • Bruce Johnston, singer for Beach Boys, composer of "I Write the Songs"
  • J. J. Johnston, actor, boxing historian
  • Louis Jolliet, explorer, early Illinois territory settler (born in Canada)
  • Adam Jones, Grammy-winning guitarist
  • Amanda Jones, 1973 Miss USA, first runner-up Miss Universe
  • Austin Jones, former YouTuber, musician, and a capella artist
  • Barbara Jones, sprinter, 1952 and 1960 Olympic relay golds
  • Darryl Jones, guitarist for The Rolling Stones
  • David Jones, physician, second owner of NFL's Chicago Cardinals
  • Earl Jones, athlete, 800 meters bronze in 1984 Summer Olympics
  • Esther Jones, sprinter, 1992 Summer Olympics relay gold
  • Garrett Jones, MLB first baseman and outfielder 2007–15
  • Hoppy Jones, original member of singing group The Ink Spots
  • James Jones, author, From Here to Eternity, Some Came Running, The Thin Red Line
  • Jo Jones, drummer for Count Basie
  • Mary Harris Jones, labor organizer (born in Ireland)
  • Melvin Jones, founder of Lions Club International (born in Arizona)
  • Ralph Jones, coach of Chicago Bears, basketball coach at Purdue, Illinois and Butler (born in Indiana)
  • Quincy Jones, musician, conductor, producer, arranger, composer, film composer, Grammy Legend Award
  • Rickie Lee Jones, Grammy-winning singer and songwriter
  • Sam J. Jones, actor, Flash Gordon, 10, Ted
  • Wesley Livsey Jones, U.S. Senator of Washington 1909–32
  • Bob Jordan, television journalist (born in Georgia)
  • Clifford Jordan, jazz musician
  • Jim Jordan, actor, radio's Fibber McGee and Molly
  • John Jordan, basketball coach for Loyola and Notre Dame
  • Marian Driscoll Jordan, actress, Fibber McGee and Molly
  • Michael Jordan, basketball player, NCAA champion, two-time Olympic champion, six-time NBA champion for Chicago Bulls, owner of Charlotte Hornets (born in North Carolina)
  • Reggie Jordan, NBA guard 1994–2000
  • Arndt Jorgens, MLB catcher 1929–39 (born in Norway)
  • Orville Jorgens, MLB pitcher 1935–37
  • Ron and Vivian Joseph, Olympic pairs skaters
  • Al Joyner, athlete, gold medalist in triple jump at 1984 Summer Olympics
  • Jackie Joyner-Kersee, athlete, UCLA basketball and track, four-time Olympian, three golds, six medals
  • Tom Joyner, radio personality
  • Norman B. Judd, U.S. Representative 1867–71 (born in New York)
  • Howie Judson, pitcher for Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds
  • Sylvia Shaw Judson, sculptor
  • Whitcomb L. Judson, inventor of the zipper
  • Jakob Junis, MLB pitcher
  • John Jurkovic, football player, radio personality
  • Herb Juul, MLB pitcher, Illinois basketball player, coach

K

Ka–Kg

thumb|150px|[[Megyn Kelly]]

  • Ted Kaczynski, notorious Unabomber criminal
  • Mike Kafka, NFL and Northwestern quarterback
  • Gus Kahn, songwriter, "I'll See You in My Dreams" (born in Germany)
  • James Kahn, writer of Star Wars novels, television producer
  • Harry Kalas, Hall of Fame sportscaster for Philadelphia Phillies
  • Floyd Kalber, longtime Chicago television journalist (born in Nebraska)
  • Frank Kaminsky, NBA center, 2015 Big Ten Player of the Year
  • Stuart M. Kaminsky, mystery novelist
  • Elias Kane, judge, first Illinois Secretary of State, U.S. Senator 1825–35 (born in New York)
  • Marjorie Kane, actress, The Dentist, The Loud Mouth
  • Patrick Kane, three-time Stanley Cup champion with Chicago Blackhawks (born in New York)
  • Maria Kanellis, WWE professional wrestler
  • Kraig Kann, Golf Channel personality, LPGA official
  • Anna Kaplan (born 1985), New York State Senator
  • Henry Kaplan, pioneer in radiation therapy and radiobiology
  • Irving Kaplansky, mathematician at University of Chicago (born in Canada)
  • Jack Kapp, founder of Decca Records
  • Chris Kappler, Olympic equestrian gold medalist
  • Frederick J. Karch, World War II and Vietnam general
  • Fred Karger, political consultant
  • Fred Karlin, songwriter, "For All We Know"
  • Phil Karlson, film director, Kid Galahad, Kansas City Confidential, The Silencers, Walking Tall
  • Lloyd A. Karmeier, judge, Illinois Supreme Court 2000–20
  • Roberta Karmel, Centennial Professor at Brooklyn Law School, first female Commissioner of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
  • Johnny Karras, halfback for Illinois 1952 Rose Bowl champions
  • Ted Karras, NFL center, two-time Super Bowl champion with New England Patriots
  • Kevin Kasper, wide receiver for eight NFL teams
  • Leon Kass, physician, scientist, educator, public intellectual
  • Chuck Kassel, NFL player 1927–33
  • Terry Kath, musician with band Chicago
  • Stana Katic, actress, Castle, Absentia (born in Canada)
  • Philip Kaufman, film director, The Right Stuff, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Rising Sun
  • Tony Kaufmann, MLB pitcher 1921–35
  • Herminie Templeton Kavanagh, writer, Darby O'Gill and the Little People (born in England)
  • Yosh Kawano, 65-year employee of Chicago Cubs (born in Washington)
  • Kenneth Kays, decorated soldier
  • Marilyn Kaytor, food writer
  • Steven Kazmierczak, perpetrator of the 2008 Northern Illinois University shooting
  • Tim Kazurinsky, actor, comedian, Saturday Night Live, Police Academy
  • Bill Keating, lineman, 1965 Rose Bowl champion Michigan
  • Tom Keating, NFL defensive tackle 1964–75
  • Julie Kedzie, mixed martial artist
  • Howard Keel, actor, singer, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Kiss Me Kate, Kismet, Calamity Jane, Dallas
  • James Keeley, newspaper publisher (born in England)
  • John L. Keeley Jr., investment manager and philanthropist
  • Leslie Keeley, physician, founder of Keeley Institute for addiction treatment
  • Cody Keenan, speechwriter for President Barack Obama
  • Rosalind Keith, actress, Criminals of the Air, Trouble in Sundown
  • Clayton Keller, NHL player (born in Missouri)
  • Kent E. Keller, U.S. Representative 1931–41
  • Sheldon Keller, comedy writer
  • Barry Kelley, actor, The Asphalt Jungle, Buchanan Rides Alone
  • Florence Kelley, social reformer, founder of National Consumers' League (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Mike Kelley, creator of TV series Revenge
  • Hiram Huntington Kellogg Sr., minister, first Knox College president (born in New York)
  • Carson Kelly, MLB catcher
  • Dennis Kelly, NFL offensive tackle
  • Edward Joseph Kelly, 14-year Mayor of Chicago
  • Harry Kelly, decorated World War I soldier, Governor of Michigan
  • James Kelly, founder of Chicago Tribune
  • Megyn Kelly, journalist for Fox News and NBC News, host of Megyn Kelly Today
  • R. Kelly, singer and songwriter
  • Robin Kelly, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative (born in New York)
  • Tim Kelly, NFL offensive coordinator
  • Caren Kemner, volleyball player, bronze medal in 1992 Summer Olympics
  • Mike Kenn, tackle for Atlanta Falcons, starter in 251 NFL games
  • Michael Kenna, saloonkeeper, Chicago alderman
  • Bob Kennedy, MLB player 1939-57, manager of Chicago Cubs and Oakland A's
  • Christopher G. Kennedy, president of Merchandise Mart, university trustee, nephew of John F. Kennedy (born in Massachusetts)
  • D. James Kennedy, pastor, Christian broadcaster
  • Ethel Kennedy, widow of U.S. senator and attorney general Robert F. Kennedy, awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • John Kennedy, MLB infielder 1962–74
  • Madge Kennedy, actress, The Marrying Kind, Lust for Life
  • Merna Kennedy, actress, wife of Busby Berkeley
  • Martin H. Kennelly, Mayor of Chicago 1948–55
  • Ernie Kent, basketball head coach for Washington State and Oregon
  • Mel Kenyon, auto racer, five top-5 finishes in Indy 500
  • Robert Keohane, co-founder of neoliberalism school of thought
  • Hugh Keough, horse racing official and sportswriter
  • Joe E. Kernan, decorated Vietnam War aviator, mayor of South Bend 1988-97, Governor of Indiana 2003–05
  • Otto Kerner Jr., politician (Democrat), decorated World War II soldier, Governor of Illinois 1961–68, imprisoned 1974
  • Otto Kerner Sr., judge, Attorney General of Illinois
  • Johnny Kerr, NBA player, coach, broadcaster for Chicago Bulls, member of Hall of Fame
  • Walter Kerr, Broadway drama critic
  • Jack Kerris, Loyola and pro basketball player
  • Donald Kerst, physicist, worked on Manhattan Project
  • Brian Kerwin, actor, Murphy's Romance, Love Field, Torch Song Trilogy, 27 Dresses, Beggars and Choosers
  • Joseph Kerwin, astronaut and physician
  • T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh, actress, That's So Raven, Cosby, In Living Color
  • Madison Keys, tennis player, 2017 U.S. Open runner-up

Kh–Kn

thumb|150px|[[Chaka Khan]]

thumb|150px|[[Jason Kipnis]]

  • Chaka Khan, singer, multiple Grammy Award winner
  • Fazlur Khan, designer of John Hancock Center, Willis Tower (born in India)
  • Shahid Khan, owner, Jacksonville Jaguars (born in Pakistan)
  • Tony Khan, football and wrestling executive
  • Gerald Frederick Kicanas, archbishop of Tucson, Arizona
  • John Kidd, NFL punter 1984–98
  • Adolph Kiefer, swimmer, backstroke gold medalist in 1936 Olympics
  • Thomas L. Kilbride, judge, Supreme Court of Illinois 2000–20
  • Richard Kiley, Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor, Blackboard Jungle, A Year in the Life, Man of La Mancha, The Phenix City Story
  • Dorothy Kilgallen, columnist, game show panelist
  • Philip G. Killey, director of Air National Guard
  • James M. Kilts, CEO of Gillette
  • William Wallace Kimball, piano manufacturer (born in Maine)
  • Elbert Kimbrough, defensive back for San Francisco 49ers 1962–66
  • Kyle Kinane, stand-up comedian
  • Dave Kindred, sports journalist
  • Bill King, radio voice of Oakland A's, Raiders, Golden State Warriors
  • Bradley King, early Hollywood screenwriter
  • Edward John King, seven-term U.S. Representative (born in Massachusetts)
  • Frank King, cartoonist, creator of Gasoline Alley (born in Wisconsin)
  • Freddie King, musician in Blues Hall of Fame (born in Texas)
  • Ginevra King, socialite
  • Mary-Claire King, geneticist
  • Ray King, MLB pitcher 1999–2008
  • Wayne King, bandleader
  • Dave Kingman, 15-year MLB outfielder (born in Oregon)
  • Sam Kinison, stand-up comedian, actor (born in Washington)
  • Terry Kinney, actor, Oz, The Unusuals, Sleepers, The Firm, co-founder of Steppenwolf Theatre Company
  • William Kinney, lieutenant governor 1826–30 (born in Kentucky)
  • John Kinsella, swimmer, gold medalist at 1972 Summer Olympics
  • Juliet Magill Kinzie, historian (born in Connecticut)
  • John Kinzie, early Chicago settler (born in Ireland)
  • John H. Kinzie, trader, Chicago politician (born in Canada)
  • Adam Kinzinger, Air Force pilot, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative 2011–23
  • Jason Kipnis, MLB second baseman 2011–20
  • Bob Kipper, MLB pitcher 1985–92
  • George Kirby, comedian
  • Rollin Kirby, cartoonist
  • Mark Kirk, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative 2001–10 and U.S. Senator 2010–17
  • Jeane Kirkpatrick, U.S. Ambassador to United Nations 1981-85 (born in Oklahoma)
  • Jess Kirkpatrick, actor and announcer
  • Jimmy Kite, auto racer
  • Kurt Kittner, quarterback for Illinois, champion and MVP of World Bowl XIII
  • Tom Kivisto, basketball player, businessman
  • Nick Kladis, basketball player, businessman, part-owner of Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals
  • Billy Klaus, MLB player 1952-63
  • Bobby Klaus, MLB player 1964-65
  • Gary Kleck, criminologist, Florida State University professor emeritus
  • Chris Klein, actor, American Pie film series, Rollerball
  • Dick Klein, first owner, general manager of Chicago Bulls (born in Iowa)
  • Dick Klein, tackle for Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys
  • Tom Kleinschmidt, basketball player for DePaul, coach of DePaul College Prep
  • Josh Kline, NFL offensive guard 2013–19
  • William G. Kline, basketball and baseball coach, Nebraska and Florida
  • Frank Klopas, soccer player, coach of Chicago Fire
  • Karlie Kloss, fashion model
  • John C. Kluczynski, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative 1951–75
  • Ted Kluszewski, first baseman for Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, three home runs in 1959 World Series
  • Philip Klutznick, U.S. Secretary of Commerce 1980–81, Chicago Bulls president 1973 (born in Missouri)
  • Cole Kmet, NFL tight end
  • Anthony L. Knapp, U.S. Representative 1861–65 (born in New York)
  • Lindsay Knapp, guard for Notre Dame and Super Bowl XXXI champion Green Bay Packers
  • Robert M. Knapp, U.S. Representative 1873–79 (born in New York)
  • Willie Knapp, jockey in Hall of Fame, winner of 1918 Kentucky Derby
  • Chad Knaus, NASCAR crew chief
  • Alexa Scimeca Knierim, figure skater, 2022 world champion and 2022 Winter Olympics gold medalist
  • Joe Knollenberg, U.S. Representative of Michigan 1993–2009
  • Oscar Knop, NFL halfback 1920–27
  • Frank Knox, newspaper publisher/owner and Secretary of the Navy (born in Massachusetts)

Ko–Kz

thumb|right|150px|[[Ray Kroc]]

  • Tom Koch, writer for Mad magazine
  • Leo Kocialkowski, tax appraiser, U.S. Representative 1933–43
  • Dave Kocourek, tight end in seven AFL title games
  • Dave Koechner, actor, Second City, Anchorman (born in Missouri)
  • Walter Koenig, actor, Star Trek
  • Gustav Koerner, lieutenant governor, Abe Lincoln aide (born in Germany)
  • Bob Koester, founder of Delmark Records (born in Kansas)
  • Seana Kofoed, actress, Men in Trees
  • Herman Kogan, journalist
  • Rick Kogan, journalist
  • Herbert Kohler Jr., billionaire businessman, CEO of Kohler Co.
  • Ruth DeYoung Kohler, journalist
  • H. H. Kohlsaat, newspaper publisher
  • Dick Kokos, MLB outfielder 1948–54
  • Dan Kolb, MLB pitcher 1999–2007
  • Gary Kolb, MLB outfielder 1960–69
  • Darlene Koldenhoven, Grammy Award-winning singer
  • Henry Kolker, actor, Holiday, Union Pacific
  • Fred Koller, songwriter
  • Don Kolloway, MLB infielder 1940–53
  • Bonnie Koloc, folk singer (born in Iowa)
  • Lou Kolls, football player, MLB umpire
  • Mort Kondracke, political commentator, columnist for Roll Call
  • Paul Konerko, 15-year first baseman for White Sox (born in Rhode Island)
  • Lee Konitz, saxophonist
  • George Kontos, relief pitcher for 2012 World Series champion San Francisco Giants
  • David Kopay, pro football running back, author, gay rights activist
  • Harvey Korman, actor and comedian, The Carol Burnett Show, Blazing Saddles, History of the World, Part I, High Anxiety
  • Sidney Korshak, labor lawyer
  • Eddie Kotal, pro football player
  • Glenn Kotche, drummer
  • Arlene Kotil, pro baseball player
  • Irene Kotowicz, pro baseball player
  • George Kotsiopoulos, TV personality, Fashion Police
  • Rich Koz, television personality Svengoolie
  • Joe Krabbenhoft, basketball player, coach for Wisconsin
  • Joe Krakoski, NFL defensive back 1961–66
  • Irene Kral, singer
  • Roy Kral, jazz musician
  • Akiane Kramarik, poet and painter
  • Olof Krans, Civil War soldier in Illinois regiment, Swedish-American painter and artist
  • Nelson G. Kraschel, Governor of Iowa 1937–39
  • Jerry Krause, general manager of six-time NBA champion Chicago Bulls
  • Moose Krause, four-sport athlete, coach, athletic director for Notre Dame
  • Alison Krauss, multiple Grammy Award-winning bluegrass musician and composer
  • Mike Kreevich, MLB outfielder 1931–45
  • Albert Henry Krehbiel, painter, Art Institute of Chicago professor (born in Iowa)
  • Frederick Kreismann, mayor of St. Louis 1909–13
  • Rich Kreitling, NFL wide receiver 1959–64
  • Gary Kremen, founder of Match.com
  • Raja Krishnamoorthi, lawyer, U.S. Representative (born in India)
  • John Kriza, ballet dancer
  • Ray Kroc, CEO of McDonald's, owned San Diego Padres
  • Egil Krogh, lawyer, aide to President Richard Nixon, Watergate figure
  • Ian Krol, MLB pitcher 2013–21
  • Candace Kroslak, actress, Ocean Ave.
  • Casey Krueger, pro soccer player, Chicago Red Stars
  • Bill Krueger, pitcher for eight MLB teams
  • Ernie Krueger, MLB catcher 1913–25
  • Gene Krupa, drummer, subject of film The Gene Krupa Story
  • Todd Krygier, hockey player for Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks
  • Mike Krzyzewski, basketball coach for Duke University, five NCAA championships, 2008 and 2012 Olympic gold medals, Hall of Fame
  • Steve Kuberski, forward for Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks
  • Daniel Kucera, Catholic bishop, Illinois Benedictine president
  • Jonathan Kuck, speed skater, 2010 Winter Olympics silver medalist
  • John Kuenster, editor of Baseball Digest, author
  • Mickey Kuhn, actor
  • Toni Kukoc, Hall of Fame player and executive for Chicago Bulls (born in Croatia)
  • Jake Kumerow, NFL wide receiver
  • George Kunz, NFL lineman for Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Colts
  • Stanley H. Kunz, thoroughbred breeder, U.S. Representative 1921–33 (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Irv Kupcinet, newspaper columnist, broadcaster
  • Karyn Kupcinet, actress, murder victim
  • C.J. Kupec, center for Michigan and Los Angeles Lakers
  • Bill Kurtis, television news journalist (born in Florida)
  • Emil Kush, pitcher for Chicago Cubs 1941–49
  • Sarah Kustok, sportscaster
  • Zak Kustok, quarterback for Northwestern
  • Bob Kustra, president of Boise State 2003–18, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois 1991-98 (born in Missouri)
  • Michael Kutza, founder of Chicago International Film Festival
  • Ken Kwapis, TV and film director, The Office, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, He's Just Not That Into You

L

La–Ld

thumb|150px|[[Amy Landecker]]

thumb|150px|[[Matteo Lane]]

thumb|150px|[[Lauren Lapkus]]

  • Walter B. LaBerge, Under Secretary of Army, Air Force, NATO
  • Ben LaBolt, political advisor, White House Communications Director
  • Harry Lachman, film director, Dante's Inferno, Our Relations
  • Bob Lackey, basketball player for Marquette and ABA's New York Nets
  • Ethel Lackie, swimmer, two gold medals in 1924 Summer Olympics
  • Matt LaCosse, NFL tight end 2015–21
  • Tanner Laczynski, NHL center
  • Tyler Ladendorf, MLB second baseman 2015–21
  • Carl Laemmle, motion picture mogul (born in Germany)
  • Carl Laemmle Jr., head of Universal Pictures
  • Carla Laemmle, silent-film actress
  • A.G. Lafley, CEO of Procter & Gamble (born in New Hampshire)
  • Jewel Lafontant, attorney, figure in George H. W. Bush administration
  • Garth Lagerwey, goalkeeper, executive in Major League Soccer
  • Kyung Lah, Tokyo-based international correspondent for CNN (born in South Korea)
  • Ray LaHood, politician (Republican), state and U.S. Representative, U.S. Secretary of Transportation 2009–13
  • Bill Laimbeer, NBA center 1979-93, two-time champion with Detroit Pistons, three-time WNBA champion coach (born in Massachusetts)
  • Frankie Laine, singer and actor, known for themes to 3:10 to Yuma, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Rawhide, Blazing Saddles
  • Jean La Lime, early Chicago settler (born in Canada)
  • Ricardo Lamas, mixed martial-arts fighter
  • Derek Lamely, golfer
  • Robert Lamm, musician, songwriter for band Chicago
  • Gene Lamont, MLB catcher, coach and manager
  • Robert P. Lamont, U.S. Secretary of Commerce 1927–32 (born in Michigan)
  • Amy Landecker, actress, A Serious Man, Louie, Transparent
  • Ann Landers (Ruth Crowley, Eppie Lederer), advice columnist
  • James Landis, noted power engineer
  • Jessie Royce Landis, actress, North by Northwest, To Catch a Thief
  • John Landis, film director, Animal House, The Blues Brothers, Trading Places, Michael Jackson's Thriller
  • Kenesaw Mountain Landis, judge, baseball commissioner, banned eight Black Sox (born in Ohio)
  • Reed G. Landis, combat pilot, son of Judge Landis
  • Margaret Landon, author, Anna and the King of Siam (born in Wisconsin)
  • Truman H. Landon, Air Force general (born in Missouri)
  • Hobie Landrith, catcher for seven MLB teams
  • Mabel Landry, four-time U.S. champion in long jump
  • Eric Lane, actor
  • Matteo Lane, comedian
  • Nora Lane, actress, The Man Hunter, The Cisco Kid
  • Tami Lane, Oscar-winning makeup artist
  • Will Lang Jr., war correspondent, bureau chief for Life magazine
  • Jim Langfelder, mayor of Springfield 2015–23
  • Mary Lewis Langworthy, president, Chicago Woman's Club
  • Harris Laning, admiral
  • John Lankston, opera singer
  • Sherry Lansing, actress and CEO of Paramount Pictures
  • Lauren Lapkus, actress, Orange Is the New Black, Are You There, Chelsea?, Clipped, Jurassic World
  • Alison La Placa, actress, Duet, Open House, Madhouse
  • Angelo J. LaPietra, mobster with Chicago Outfit
  • John Lardner, war correspondent, New York sportswriter
  • Ring Lardner, early 20th Century sportswriter, author, composer, lyricist (born in Michigan)
  • Ring Lardner Jr., Oscar-winning screenwriter, Woman of the Year, The Cincinnati Kid, M*A*S*H
  • Gene La Rocque, U.S. Navy rear admiral
  • Rod La Rocque, actor, The Locked Door, Forbidden Paradise
  • Norm Larsen, industrial chemist, inventor of WD-40
  • René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, explorer (born in France)
  • Kirke La Shelle, reporter, editor, playwright, producer
  • Albert Lasker, advertising executive, co-owned Chicago Cubs 1916–25 (born in Germany)
  • Jonathan Latimer, author and screenwriter
  • Johnny Lattner, football player, Heisman Trophy winner for Notre Dame
  • William Lava, composer of animated film music, Looney Tunes
  • Arnold Laven, director and producer, The Rifleman, The Big Valley, Rough Night in Jericho, Sam Whiskey
  • Hazel Lavery, artist and model
  • Jackie LaVine, swimmer, 1952 Olympic bronze medalist
  • Ralph Lawler, radio-TV broadcaster of Los Angeles Clippers
  • Carol Lawrence, singer and actress
  • George R. Lawrence, photographer and aviator
  • Robert Henry Lawrence Jr., jet pilot and astronaut
  • Victor F. Lawson, publisher of Chicago Daily News 1876–1925
  • Don Laz, pole vaulter, silver medalist in 1952 Summer Olympics

Le–Lh

thumb|187x187px|[[Natasha Leggero]]

  • Cloris Leachman, Oscar-winning, eight-time Emmy-winning actress, The Last Picture Show, Mary Tyler Moore, Young Frankenstein, 1946 Miss Illinois (born in Iowa)
  • Brett Lebda, NHL defenseman 2005–11
  • Mike Lebovitz, stand-up comedian
  • Pepi Lederer, silent-film actress
  • Ang Lee, Oscar-winning director, Illinois alumnus (born in Taiwan)
  • Doug Lee, NBA player 1991–95
  • Mary Lee, actress, Cowboy and the Senorita, South of the Border
  • Mike Lee, boxer
  • Russell Lee, photographer
  • Dan LeFevour, pro football quarterback
  • Joan Lefkow, judge (born in Kansas)
  • Lance LeGault, actor, The A-Team
  • Ernest de Koven Leffingwell, explorer
  • Natasha Leggero, comedian, judge on Last Comic Standing
  • Charlie Leibrandt, MLB pitcher 1979–93, 1985 World Series champion
  • Lefty Leifield, MLB pitcher 1905–20
  • Levi Leiter, co-founder of Marshall Field & Co., president of Art Institute of Chicago
  • Mark Leiter, pitcher for eight MLB teams
  • Charles LeMaire, Oscar-winning costume designer
  • John D. LeMay, actor, Friday the 13th: The Series (born in Minnesota)
  • Walt Lemon Jr., American player in Israel Basketball Premier League
  • Don Lenhardt, player for four MLB teams
  • Harry Lennix, actor, Dollhouse, The Blacklist, Matrix films
  • Thomas Lennon, actor, comedian, Reno 911!, The State, Viva Variety
  • Lance Lenoir, pro football player
  • Rick Lenz, actor, Hec Ramsey, Cactus Flower, The Shootist
  • Dutch Leonard, pitcher for four MLB teams
  • Jack E. Leonard, comedian
  • Meyers Leonard, NBA and Illinois center (born in Virginia)
  • Robert Z. Leonard, Oscar-nominated film director, The Great Ziegfeld, Pride and Prejudice, The Bribe
  • Leopold and Loeb, notorious murderers of 1924
  • Lawrence Leritz, dancer, actor
  • Leo Lerner, newspaper publisher
  • Jim Les, guard for four NBA teams, head coach of UC Davis
  • Mikel Leshoure, running back for Detroit Lions 2011–14
  • Amy Leslie, opera singer, journalist (born in Iowa)
  • Donald Leslie, inventor of Leslie speaker
  • Buddy Lester, comedian and actor, Ocean's 11, The Nutty Professor
  • Jerry Lester, comedian, television personality
  • Ronnie Lester, guard for Chicago Bulls and 1985 NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers (born in Mississippi)
  • Tim Lester, quarterback and head coach, Western Michigan
  • Tracy Letts, Tony-winning actor, playwright, screenwriter, August: Osage County (born in Oklahoma)
  • Brian Levant, film director, The Flintstones, Beethoven, Snow Dogs, Are We There Yet?
  • Max Levchin, co-founder of PayPal and Yelp (born in Ukraine)
  • Mel Leven, songwriter
  • Edward H. Levi, president of University of Chicago 1968-75, U.S. Attorney General 1975–77
  • Charles Levin, actor, Alice, Capital News
  • Gabe Levin, American-Israeli player in Israeli Basketball Premier League
  • Al Levine, pitcher for seven MLB teams
  • Samm Levine, actor, Freaks and Geeks
  • Ted Levine, actor, The Silence of the Lambs, Monk (born in Ohio)
  • King Levinsky, boxer, heavyweight contender
  • Steven Levitan, TV director, screenwriter and producer; creator of Just Shoot Me! and Modern Family
  • Steven Levitt, economist, author of Freakonomics
  • Marv Levy, coach and general manager for Buffalo Bills, member of Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • Greg Lewis, NFL wide receiver 2003–10
  • J. Hamilton Lewis, congressman for two states, U.S. Senator of Illinois (born in Virginia)
  • John L. Lewis, Illinois coal miner, president of United Mine Workers of America (born in Iowa)
  • Lena Morrow Lewis, suffragist, Socialist
  • Meade Lux Lewis, jazz musician
  • Monica Lewis, singer and actress, The Strip, The D.I., Excuse My Dust, Affair with a Stranger
  • Ramsey Lewis, radio personality and Grammy-winning jazz musician, "The 'In' Crowd"
  • J.C. Leyendecker, illustrator (born in Germany)

Li–Ln

thumb|[[Abraham Lincoln]]

<br />

  • Anna Li, gymnast, NCAA champion for UCLA (born in Nevada)
  • Jimmy John Liautaud, founder of Jimmy John's sandwich chain
  • Marcus Liberty, pro basketball player
  • George Lichty, cartoonist, Grin and Bear It
  • Dennis Lick, offensive tackle for Chicago Bears 1976–81
  • E. J. Liddell, NBA forward, two-time Illinois Mr. Basketball
  • Don Liddle, pitcher for 1954 World Series champion New York Giants
  • Jeffrey Lieber, TV writer and producer, Lost
  • Jennifer Lien, actress, Star Trek: Voyager
  • DeAndre Liggins, pro basketball player
  • Lori Lightfoot, 56th Mayor of Chicago (born in Ohio)
  • Anita Lihme, princess of Bohemia
  • David E. Lilienthal, chairman, Atomic Energy Commission 1946–50
  • Arlene Limas, world and Olympic champion in taekwondo
  • Abbey Lincoln, singer and actress
  • Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States, Illinois lawyer and legislator, writer of Gettysburg Address, issuer of Emancipation Proclamation (born in Kentucky)
  • Abraham Lincoln II, grandson of Abraham Lincoln
  • Jessie Harlan Lincoln, granddaughter of Abraham Lincoln
  • Mamie Lincoln, granddaughter of Abraham Lincoln
  • Mary Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's wife (born in Kentucky, died in Illinois)
  • Robert Todd Lincoln, attorney, U.S. Ambassador to United Kingdom, Secretary of War, President of Pullman Company, Abraham Lincoln's son
  • Tad Lincoln, youngest son of Abraham Lincoln, died at 18
  • Thomas Lincoln, father of Abraham Lincoln, lived in Illinois 1831–51 (born in Virginia)
  • Katie Lind, pro soccer player
  • Mike Lind, NFL and Notre Dame fullback
  • Edward Lindberg, athlete, relay gold medalist in 1912 Summer Olympics
  • Jim Lindeman, MLB outfielder 1986–94
  • Fannie B. Linderman, educator, entertainer, and writer
  • Charles Magnus Lindgren, shipping executive (born in Sweden)
  • John R. Lindgren, banking executive, son of Charles M. Lindgren
  • Justa Lindgren, football player for Illinois 1898–1901, coach of 1904 Big Ten champions
  • Benjamin F. Lindheimer, horse racing, owner of Washington Park Race Track and Arlington Park
  • Vachel Lindsay, poet
  • Chuck Lindstrom, catcher, tripled in only MLB at-bat
  • Freddie Lindstrom, Hall of Fame third baseman
  • Ed Linke, MLB pitcher 1933–38
  • Art Linson, producer, The Untouchables, Heat, Fight Club, Into the Wild
  • Dan Lipinski, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative 2005–21
  • William O. Lipinski, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative 1993–2005
  • Clara Lipman, 19th Century stage actress
  • Johnny Lira, boxer, USBA lightweight champ
  • Peter Lisagor, journalist
  • Rusty Lisch, quarterback for Notre Dame and St. Louis Cardinals
  • Jerome Edward Listecki, archbishop of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Little Walter, blues musician (born in Louisiana)
  • J. J. Liu, professional poker player (born in California)
  • Robert Livingston, actor, The Three Mesquiteers
  • Shaun Livingston, NBA forward 2004–19, three-time champion and executive with Golden State Warriors
  • Danny Lloyd, actor, The Shining
  • Scott Lloyd, NBA player 1976-82
  • Vince Lloyd, baseball broadcaster

Lo–Lp

  • Dick Locher, Pulitzer-winning cartoonist, writer-artist of Dick Tracy
  • Allan Loeb, screenwriter, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, The Switch
  • Marshall Loeb, magazine editor
  • Kelly Loeffler, U.S. Senator of Georgia 2020–21
  • Jo Sullivan Loesser, Tony Award-nominated actress
  • Frank J. Loesch, chief of Chicago Crime Commission (born in New York)
  • Nils Lofgren, musician, member of Bruce Springsteen E Street Band
  • Johnny Loftus, Hall of Fame jockey, two-time Kentucky Derby winner, 1919 Triple Crown
  • David Logan, 19th Century mayor of Portland, Oregon
  • Janice Logan, actress, Opened by Mistake, Dr. Cyclops
  • John A. Logan, politician, Civil War general, U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator
  • John Alexander Logan Jr., Medal of Honor winner, killed in combat
  • John Logan, screenwriter, Gladiator, The Aviator, Skyfall (born in California)
  • Stephen T. Logan, law partner of Abraham Lincoln
  • Gary Loizzo, musician with The American Breed
  • Joseph Lombardo, organized crime figure
  • Dutch Lonborg, basketball coach, Northwestern all-time leader in victories, Hall of Fame
  • Chuck Long, quarterback and coach, Heisman Trophy runner-up, College Football Hall of Fame (born in Oklahoma)
  • Fred T. Long, baseball player, football coach
  • Herman Long, MLB infielder 1889–1904
  • Richard Long, actor, The Big Valley, Nanny and the Professor, Bourbon Street Beat, House on Haunted Hill
  • Shelley Long, actress, Second City, Northwestern, Cheers, Troop Beverly Hills, The Brady Bunch Movie (born in Indiana)
  • Frank Loomis, hurdler, gold medalist in 1920 Summer Olympics
  • Horatio G. Loomis, a founder of Chicago Board of Trade (born in Vermont)
  • John Patrick Looney, gangster from Rock Island, inspired character in Road to Perdition
  • Al Lopez, manager of White Sox 1950s, 1960s (born in Florida)
  • Ramón E. López, space physicist
  • Robert Lord, Oscar-winning screenwriter
  • Robert Lorenz, film producer, American Sniper, Mystic River
  • Fred Lorenzen, auto racer, winner of 1965 Daytona 500
  • William Lorimer, banker and politician
  • Dave Losso, stand-up comedian
  • George Lott, five-time U.S. doubles champion, 1931 US Open finalist
  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus, actress, Second City, The Practical Theatre Company, Northwestern, Seinfeld (born in New York)
  • Lee Loughnane, musician with band Chicago
  • Tony Lovato, musician, member of band Mest
  • Bob Love, three-time All-Star for Chicago Bulls (born in Louisiana)
  • John Arthur Love, Governor of Colorado 1963–73
  • Elijah Lovejoy, abolitionist, editor (born in Maine)
  • Owen Lovejoy, minister, U.S. Representative (born in Maine)
  • Frank Orren Lowden, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative, Governor of Illinois 1917–21 (born in Minnesota)
  • Grover Lowdermilk, MLB pitcher 1909–20 (born in Indiana)
  • Fred Lowenthal, college football coach
  • Britt Lower, actress, Man Seeking Woman
  • Charles Lowman, surgeon awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • Lynn Lowry, actress
  • Alexander Loyd, Mayor of Chicago 1840–41 (born in New York)
  • Jewell Loyd, basketball player, top pick of 2015 WNBA draft, two-time WNBA champion, 2020 Olympic gold medalist

Lq–Lz

thumb|150x150px|[[Ludacris]]

  • Scott W. Lucas, lawyer, U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator 1939-51
  • Sid Luckman, quarterbacked Chicago Bears to four NFL championships (born in New York)
  • Ludacris (Christopher Bridges), Grammy Award-winning rapper and actor, The Fast and the Furious
  • William H. Luers, ambassador to Czechoslovakia, Venezuela
  • Larry Lujack, radio personality (born in Iowa)
  • Ned Luke, actor, Grand Theft Auto V
  • Deanna Lund, actress, Land of the Giants
  • Helen Lundeberg, painter
  • Carl Lundgren, MLB pitcher 1902–09
  • Paul Lusk, basketball coach
  • Hamilton Luske, Oscar-winning animator, Mary Poppins
  • Greg Luzinski, outfielder for Chicago White Sox and 1980 World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies
  • Abe Lyman, bandleader
  • Jane Lynch, actress and comedian, Glee, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Julie & Julia, A Mighty Wind, Hollywood Game Night
  • John Lynch, NFL defensive back 1993–2008, Super Bowl XXXVII champion, Hall of Fame, general manager of San Francisco 49ers
  • Jordan Lynch, quarterback for Northern Illinois and 2015 CFL champion Edmonton Eskimos
  • Bird Lynn, catcher for 1917 World Series champion White Sox
  • Fred Lynn, outfielder for Boston Red Sox, California Angels, 1975 American League MVP
  • Ginger Lynn, adult-film actress
  • Janet Lynn, five-time U.S. champion figure skater
  • Marjorie Lynn, singer, National Barn Dance (born in Wisconsin)
  • Ted Lyons, 21-year pitcher for Chicago White Sox, member of Hall of Fame (born in Louisiana)
  • Evan Lysacek, figure skater, 2010 Winter Olympics gold medalist and 2009 world champion, Sullivan Award winner

M

Maa–Mag

thumb|163x163px|[[Bernie Mac]]

thumb|162x162px|[[Virginia Madsen]]

  • Bernie Mac, actor, comedian, The Bernie Mac Show, Mr. 3000, Bad Santa, Ocean's Eleven and its sequels
  • Charles MacArthur, Oscar-winning screenwriter, Chicago journalist, playwright (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Hayes MacArthur, comedian, actor, writer, Angie Tribeca, Perfect Couples, The Game Plan
  • Franklyn MacCormack, radio personality (born in Iowa)
  • Charles B. Macdonald, won first U.S. Amateur tournament, built Chicago Golf Club (born in Canada)
  • Hazel MacDonald, film critic and war correspondent
  • Elaine "Spanky" MacFarlane, singer with Spanky and Our Gang
  • Justina Machado, actress, Six Feet Under, Missing, Three Rivers, One Day at a Time
  • Christy Mack, model, stripper, porn actress
  • Helen Mack, actress, His Girl Friday, The Son of Kong, She
  • Peter F. Mack Jr., pilot, seven-term U.S. Representative
  • Sam Mack, guard for five NBA teams
  • Pete Mackanin, manager for Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies
  • Felix Mackiewicz, MLB outfielder 1941–47
  • Rob Mackowiak, outfielder for Pittsburgh Pirates and White Sox
  • Archibald MacLeish, poet and writer, three-time Pulitzer Prize winner
  • Fred MacMurray, actor, My Three Sons, Double Indemnity, The Caine Mutiny, The Absent-Minded Professor, The Apartment
  • Tress MacNeille, voice actress, The Simpsons, Futurama, Animaniacs (born in California)
  • Bart Macomber, halfback for Illinois 1914–15 national champions
  • Earle S. MacPherson, automotive engineer, developed MacPherson strut
  • Franklin MacVeagh, banker, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury 1909–13 (born in Pennsylvania)
  • John Macy, civil service chief for Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy
  • Martin B. Madden, U.S. Representative 1905–28 (born in England)
  • David M. Maddox, retired U.S. Army four-star general
  • Amy Madigan, Oscar-nominated actress, Carnivàle, Field of Dreams, Uncle Buck, Pollock, Gone Baby Gone
  • Edward Rell Madigan, U.S. Representative 1973–91, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture 1991–93
  • Lisa Madigan, Attorney General of Illinois 2003–19
  • Michael Madigan, state representative 1971–2021, Speaker of House 1997–2021, state Democratic Party chairman
  • Slip Madigan, college football player, three-sport coach
  • Cleo Madison, silent-film actress
  • Sarah Danielle Madison, actress
  • Bill Madlock, MLB third baseman 1973-88, four-time batting champion
  • Michael Madsen, actor, Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, The Natural, Thelma & Louise, Donnie Brasco, The Hateful Eight
  • Virginia Madsen, Oscar-nominated actress, Sideways, Candyman, Dune, The Number 23, The Rainmaker, Joy
  • Mike Magac, NFL lineman 1960–66
  • Mike Magee, soccer player for Chicago Fire
  • Corey Maggette, forward for six NBA teams
  • Magic Sam, blues musician (born in Mississippi)
  • Elizabeth Magie, inventor of game that became Monopoly
  • Francis Joseph Magner, Catholic bishop
  • Sandra Magnus, astronaut, aboard final Space Shuttle
  • Christine Magnuson, swimmer, two-time Olympic medalist

Mah–Maq

thumb|231x231px|[[David Mamet]]

  • Ron Mahay, relief pitcher for eight MLB teams
  • Maureen Maher, host of CBS series 48 Hours Mystery (born in Michigan)
  • John Lee Mahin, screenwriter, Treasure Island, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Show Boat
  • Jock Mahoney, actor, Tarzan films, Yancy Derringer
  • John Mahoney, actor, Marty Crane on Frasier, Moonstruck, Barton Fink, Primal Fear, Eight Men Out (born in England)
  • Vivian Maier, photographer, Finding Vivian Maier (born in New York)
  • Gil Mains, defensive tackle for Detroit Lions 1953–61
  • J. Earl Major, judge, U.S. Representative
  • Rebecca Makkai, novelist and short-story writer
  • Karl Malden, Oscar-winning actor, On the Waterfront, A Streetcar Named Desire, Gypsy, The Cincinnati Kid, Patton, The Streets of San Francisco
  • Terrence Malick, Oscar-nominated filmmaker, Days of Heaven, The Thin Red Line, Tree of Life
  • John Malkovich, Oscar-nominated actor, Con Air, In the Line of Fire, Rounders, Secretariat, Red, Being John Malkovich
  • Sax Mallard, jazz musician
  • Dorothy Malone, Oscar-winning actress, The Big Sleep, Written on the Wind, Man of a Thousand Faces, Peyton Place
  • Frank Maloney, college football coach
  • Jasper A. Maltby, Civil War general, gunsmith (born in Ohio)
  • David Malukas, auto racer
  • David Mamet, Oscar-nominated screenwriter, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, director, Glengarry Glen Ross, The Verdict, Wag the Dog, Hoffa, The Untouchables
  • Andy Manar, state senator, deputy governor
  • Gail Mancuso, TV director, Roseanne, Modern Family, Friends
  • Sammy Mandell, lightweight boxing champion 1926–30
  • Larry Manetti, actor, Magnum, P.I.
  • Harry Manfredini, film composer
  • Camryn Manheim, actress, The Practice, Ghost Whisperer, Law & Order
  • Lewis Manilow, real estate developer, co-founder of Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago
  • Sebastian Maniscalco, stand-up comedian and actor, Green Book, About My Father
  • Carol Mann, golfer, won 38 LPGA tournaments (born in New York)
  • James Robert Mann, politician (Republican), attorney, Chicago alderman, U.S. Representative 1897–1922
  • Michael Mann, television and Oscar-nominated film director, Miami Vice, Heat, The Insider, Manhunter, Collateral, Ali
  • Joe Mantegna, actor, voice actor, Criminal Minds, The Godfather Part III, House of Games, Joan of Arcadia, The Rat Pack, The Simpsons
  • Joe Mantello, actor and Broadway director
  • Jay Manuel, make-up artist, America's Next Top Model
  • Ray Manzarek, co-founder and keyboardist for The Doors

Mar–Mas

  • Paul Marcinkus, archbishop and president of Vatican Bank
  • Carol Marin, television and newspaper journalist
  • Edna Marion, actress
  • Shawn Marion, NBA forward 1999–2015, four-time All-Star
  • Mary Beth Marley, figure skater
  • Jerry Markbreit, professional football referee
  • Gene Markey, screenwriter, decorated naval officer, Chicago Academy of Fine Arts alumnus, husband of Hedy Lamarr and Myrna Loy
  • Morris Markin, founder of Checker Motors Company, owner of Yellow Cab (born in Russia)
  • Harry Markowitz, Nobel Prize-winning economist
  • Clayton Marks, educator, soldier, banker and historian
  • Brit Marling, writer, actress, Another Earth, Arbitrage, Babylon
  • Jess Marlow, television journalist
  • Jacques Marquette, 17th Century explorer (born in France)
  • Frank Clarence Mars, candy maker (born in Minnesota)
  • Forrest Mars Jr., billionaire Mars family scion
  • Kenneth Mars, actor, Young Frankenstein, The Producers, What's Up, Doc?, The Little Mermaid
  • Albert L. Marsh, metallurgist, co-inventor of nichrome
  • Benjamin F. Marsh, railroad czar, Civil War soldier, U.S. Representative
  • Frank Lewis Marsh, Seventh-day Adventist biologist, educator and young Earth creationist
  • Fred Marsh, MLB infielder 1949–56
  • George Marsh, decorated Civil War soldier
  • Benjamin H. Marshall, architect of Chicago hotels
  • Francis Marshall, brigadier general, World War I
  • George Marshall, film director, You Can't Cheat an Honest Man, Destry Rides Again, Houdini, How the West Was Won
  • Joan Marshall, actress
  • Jim Marshall, MLB first baseman 1958–62
  • Mike Marshall, outfielder for four MLB teams
  • Noel Marshall, film producer
  • Samuel S. Marshall, lawyer, 19th Century politician
  • William Marshall, singer, bandleader, husband of Ginger Rogers
  • June Martel, actress, Santa Fe Stampede, Forlorn River
  • Andra Martin, actress, The Thing That Couldn't Die, Up Periscope
  • Billy Martin, tennis player and coach
  • Cecil Martin, NFL fullback 1999–2003
  • Chuck Martin, football head coach, Miami of Ohio
  • Cuonzo Martin, basketball head coach, Cal, Tennessee, Missouri
  • James Stewart Martin, Civil War general, U.S. Representative
  • Kate Martin, guard for two-time NCAA runner-up Iowa, 18th pick of 2024 WNBA draft
  • LaRue Martin, center for Loyola and Portland Trail Blazers, top pick of 1972 NBA draft
  • Lynn Morley Martin, U.S. Representative 1981–91, U.S. Secretary of Labor 1991–93
  • Marcella Martin, actress, Gone With the Wind, West of Tombstone
  • Nan Martin, actress, Goodbye, Columbus, The Other Side of the Mountain, The Drew Carey Show
  • Todd Martin, pro tennis player, U.S. Open and Australian Open finalist
  • Richard Martini, writer and director, Cannes Man
  • Carl Shipp Marvel, organic chemist
  • Dick Marx, jazz musician, ad jingle writer
  • Richard Marx, singer and songwriter
  • Russell Maryland, NFL defensive tackle, College Football Hall of Fame
  • Ron Masak, actor, Murder, She Wrote
  • Ella Masar, pro soccer player
  • Phil Masi, MLB catcher 1939–52
  • Bobby Joe Mason, basketball player for Bradley and Harlem Globetrotters
  • Noah M. Mason, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative 1937–63 (born in Wales)
  • Roswell B. Mason, mayor during Great Chicago Fire (born in New York)
  • William E. Mason, U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator (born in New York)
  • Michael Masser, songwriter, "Greatest Love of All"
  • Edgar Lee Masters, author and poet (born in Kansas)
  • Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Oscar-nominated actress, Scarface, The Color of Money, The Abyss, The Perfect Storm, Limitless

Mat–Maz

  • Mary Matalin, presidential advisor, television commentator, author
  • Carole Mathews, actress and radio personality
  • Milton W. Mathews, 19th Century publisher and politician
  • T.J. Mathews, MLB pitcher 1995–2002
  • Art Mathisen, basketball player for Illinois
  • Jake Matijevic, NASA engineer, developed Mars rovers
  • Marlee Matlin, Oscar-winning actress, Children of a Lesser God
  • Thad Matta, head basketball coach for Ohio State, Butler
  • Joel Aldrich Matteson, railroad executive, Governor of Illinois 1853–57 (born in New York)
  • Clyde Matthews, college football coach
  • Denny Matthews, baseball broadcaster (born in Florida)
  • Wid Matthews, baseball executive
  • Ken Mattingly, astronaut and admiral
  • Carl Mauck, center for four NFL teams, coach
  • John Mauer, college basketball coach
  • Bill Mauldin, Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, Willie and Joe (born in New Mexico)
  • Jeff Mauro, television personality, Food Network
  • Jason Maxiell, NBA forward 2005–15
  • Dal Maxvill, MLB infielder, played in five World Series
  • Holle Thee Maxwell, singer and songwriter
  • Lucien Maxwell, hunter, owned ranch where Billy the Kid was killed
  • Philip Maxwell, 19th Century doctor, namesake of Chicago's Maxwell Street (born in Vermont)
  • William Keepers Maxwell, fiction editor of New Yorker 1936–75
  • Tiny Maxwell, football player, sportswriter, namesake of Maxwell Award
  • Donald May, actor, The Roaring 20s
  • Elaine May, actress, director, Oscar-nominated screenwriter, alumna of University of Chicago and Second City (born in Pennsylvania)
  • George S. May, businessman, golf promoter
  • John L. May, archbishop of St. Louis 1980–92
  • William L. May, politician, first mayor of Springfield, Illinois
  • Marilyn Maye, singer (born in Kansas)
  • Jonathan Mayer, first US DOJ chief science and technology adviser and chief artificial intelligence officer
  • Oscar F. Mayer, founder of Oscar Mayer meat company (born in Germany)
  • Oscar G. Mayer Sr., chairman of Oscar Mayer 1955–65
  • Oscar G. Mayer Jr., chairman of Oscar Mayer 1966–2009
  • Benjamin Mayfield, cowboy, outlaw
  • Curtis Mayfield, soul, R&B and funk singer, songwriter, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Grammy Legend Award
  • William Mayfield, cattleman, militia leader (born in Tennessee)
  • Jackie Mayo, outfielder for Philadelphia Phillies 1948–53
  • Margaret Mayo, playwright
  • Stanley Mazor, co-inventor of first microprocessor
  • Rob Mazurek, musician
  • Marin Mazzie, Tony Award-nominated actress

Mca–Mcd

thumb|204x204px|[[Melissa McCarthy]]

thumb|204x204px|[[Frances McDormand]]

  • Zach McAllister, pitcher for Cleveland Indians
  • James McAndrews, building commissioner, nine-term U.S. representative (born in Rhode Island)
  • Des McAnuff, theater director
  • Arthur B. McBride, businessman who founded the Cleveland Browns football team
  • Brian McBride, soccer player, U.S. national team, MSL and English Premier League
  • Chi McBride, actor, Hawaii Five-0, I, Robot, The John Larroquette Show, Boston Public, Human Target
  • Steve McCall, drummer
  • Oliver McCall, boxer, WBC heavyweight champ 1994–95
  • Mercedes McCambridge, Oscar-winning actress, All the King's Men, Giant, Johnny Guitar, The Exorcist
  • Terrence McCann, freestyle wrestling gold medalist at 1960 Summer Olympics
  • Mel McCants, NBA player for Los Angeles Lakers 1989–90
  • Justin McCareins, NFL wide receiver 2001–08
  • Larry McCarren, center for Green Bay Packers 1973–84, commentator, Packers Hall of Fame
  • Alex McCarthy, MLB infielder 1910–17
  • J. J. McCarthy, NFL quarterback
  • Jenny McCarthy, model, actress, author, activist, Scream 3, Dirty Love, Witless Protection, The View
  • Joanne McCarthy, basketball player, UIC all-time scoring leader
  • Johnny McCarthy, MLB first baseman 1934–48
  • Melissa McCarthy, Emmy-winning, Oscar-nominated actress, Mike & Molly, Bridesmaids, Identity Thief, Tammy
  • Peggy McCarthy, rowing bronze medalist, 1976 Olympics
  • Tim McCarthy, wounded Secret Service agent for Ronald Reagan
  • Todd McCarthy, film critic
  • Constance McCashin, actress, Knots Landing
  • Ed McCaskey, chairman of Chicago Bears 1983–1999
  • George McCaskey, chairman of Chicago Bears
  • Michael McCaskey, chairman of Chicago Bears 1999–2011
  • Virginia Halas McCaskey, owner of Chicago Bears
  • Hazel A. McCaskrin, politician
  • Harry M. McCaskrin, politician
  • Sergio McClain, basketball player for Illinois
  • Gerald McClellan, middleweight boxing champion 1991–95
  • Kathleen McClellan, actress, 1988 Miss Illinois Teen USA
  • John Alexander McClernand, Civil War general, advisor to Presidents Lincoln and Grant, U.S. Representative
  • Robert McClory, U.S. Representative 1963–83
  • Alice Moore McComas, writer, editor, lecturer, social reformer
  • Brooks McCormick, CEO of International Harvester
  • Mike McCormack, Hall of Fame NFL player, coach and executive
  • Cyrus Hall McCormick, businessman, inventor of McCormick Reaper (born in Virginia)
  • Edith Rockefeller McCormick, socialite, patron of opera and Brookfield Zoo
  • Harold Fowler McCormick, chairman of International Harvester, husband of Edith Rockefeller
  • Katharine McCormick, biologist, suffragist, philanthropist (born in Michigan)
  • Robert R. McCormick, newspaper publisher and philanthropist
  • Ruth Hanna McCormick, suffragist, U.S. Representative 1929–31
  • Walter McCornack, first football coach for Northwestern
  • Joseph McCoy, cattle baron
  • LisaRaye McCoy, actress, All of Us, Single Ladies
  • Keith McCready, professional pool player, actor in The Color of Money
  • Johnston McCulley, author, creator of Zorro
  • John T. McCutcheon, cartoonist
  • Jim McDermott, U.S. Representative of Washington 1989–2017
  • Darren W. McDew, U.S. Air Force general
  • Glenn McDonald, member of 1976 NBA champion Boston Celtics
  • Ariel McDonald, basketball player; 2000 Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP
  • Robert A. McDonald, chairman and CEO of Procter & Gamble, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs 2014–17
  • John McDonough, president and CEO of Chicago Blackhawks 2007–20
  • Frances McDormand, Oscar and Emmy-winning actress, Fargo, Blood Simple, Almost Famous, Moonrise Kingdom, Olive Kitteridge, Nomadland

Mce–Mcz

thumb|150px|[[Elizabeth McGovern]]

thumb|183x183px|[[Donovan McNabb]]

  • Ray McElroy, NFL defensive back 1995–2001
  • Frank McErlane, organized crime figure
  • Tatyana McFadden, wheelchair athlete, Paralympian, winner of Boston and Chicago marathons (born in Russia)
  • Chappie McFarland, MLB pitcher 1902–06
  • Packey McFarland, lightweight boxer
  • T. J. McFarland, MLB relief pitcher
  • Bill McGee, MLB pitcher 1935–42
  • JaVale McGee, basketball player, three-time NBA champion, 2020 Olympics gold medalist
  • Ralph McGehee, football player for Notre Dame, officer for CIA
  • Carla McGhee, basketball player, two NCAA championships, 1996 Olympic gold medalist
  • Tyler McGill, swimmer, gold medalist at 2012 London Olympics
  • Joe McGinnity, MLB player in Hall of Fame
  • William P. McGivern, novelist, books became films The Big Heat, Odds Against Tomorrow
  • Elizabeth McGovern, Oscar-nominated actress, Ragtime, Ordinary People, Once Upon a Time in America, The Handmaid's Tale, Downton Abbey
  • Roxana McGowan, silent-film actress
  • Bob McGrath, television personality, Sesame Street
  • Lamar McGriggs, pro football player
  • Aaron McGruder, cartoonist, The Boondocks
  • Roger McGuinn, musician, The Byrds
  • Don McGuire, actor, Oscar-nominated screenwriter
  • Kathryn McGuire, silent-film actress, Sherlock Jr.
  • Jack McGurn, gangster with Chicago Outfit (born in Italy)
  • Donald McHenry, Ambassador to United Nations (born in Missouri)
  • William McHenry, 19th Century soldier and politician
  • Collin McHugh, MLB pitcher, member of 2017 World Series champion Houston Astros
  • Tim McIlrath, musician, Rise Against
  • Adam McKay, performer for Second City, screenwriter of Anchorman, film and documentary director (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Lafe McKee, actor
  • William Parker McKee, president of Shimer College
  • Kevin McKenna, basketball player and coach
  • Raymond S. McKeough, U.S. Representative 1935–45
  • William B. McKinley, U.S. Representative 1905–21, Senator 1921–26
  • Billy McKinney, NBA and Northwestern player, mayor of Zion, Illinois
  • Denny McLain, pitcher, 31-game winner for 1968 World Series champion Detroit Tigers
  • John McLean, 19th Century U.S. Senator (born in North Carolina)
  • Frederic McLaughlin, first owner of Chicago Blackhawks
  • Claude McLin, saxophonist
  • Greg McMahon, college and NFL assistant coach
  • Jim McMahon, quarterback of Super Bowl XX champion Chicago Bears (born in New Jersey)
  • Sherrick McManis, NFL cornerback
  • James McManus, professional poker player, author
  • Marty McManus, MLB infielder 1920–34
  • Tom McManus, linebacker, Jacksonville Jaguars 1995–99
  • William Edward McManus, Roman Catholic bishop
  • Sherman McMaster, Wild West outlaw and lawman
  • Neysa McMein, illustrator and painter
  • Steve McMichael, pro football player and coach, wrestler, radio personality (born in Texas)
  • Ernie McMillan, offensive tackle for St. Louis Cardinals 1961–74
  • Bob McMillen, player and coach, Arena Football League
  • Jim McMillen, guard for 1923 Illinois national champions, Chicago Bears
  • Rolla C. McMillen, lawyer, U.S. Representative 1944–51
  • Shellie McMillon, NBA and Bradley basketball player
  • Mary Ann McMorrow, judge, Supreme Court of Illinois 1992–2006
  • Donovan McNabb, six-time Pro Bowl quarterback for Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, TV commentator
  • Jerel McNeal, all-time leading scorer for Marquette basketball
  • Barbara McNair, singer, television personality and actress, Change of Habit, They Call Me Mister Tibbs!
  • Andrew McNally, founder of Rand McNally company in 1868 (born in Northern Ireland)
  • Tom McNamara, 40th mayor of Rockford
  • John McNaughton, film and TV director, Wild Things, Mad Dog and Glory, Homicide: Life on the Street
  • Don McNeill, radio personality
  • Marcus McNeill, offensive tackle for San Diego Chargers 2006–11
  • James McNerney, CEO of Boeing, 3M
  • John McNulta, Civil War general, U.S. Representative (born in New York)
  • William Slavens McNutt, screenwriter, Huckleberry Finn
  • James McParland, Chicago-based Pinkerton's detective, infiltrated Molly Maguires (born in Ireland)
  • Jimmy McPartland, big-band cornet player
  • Ryan McPartlin, actor, Chuck, Living With Fran
  • Corey McPherrin, television journalist
  • Samuel McRoberts, U.S. Attorney under Andrew Jackson, U.S. Senator
  • Margaret McWade, actress, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
  • Doug McWeeny, MLB pitcher 1921–30
  • Paulette McWilliams, singer

Md–Mh

thumb|175x175px|[[Laurie Metcalf]]

thumb|210x210px|[[Seth Meyers]]

  • George J. Mecherle, founder of State Farm Insurance
  • David Meckler, ice hockey player
  • Joseph Medill, publisher, Mayor of Chicago 1871–73 (born in Canada)
  • Chris Medina, singer-songwriter, American Idol contestant
  • Mark Medoff, playwright, screenwriter, Children of a Lesser God
  • Patrick Meek, speed skater
  • Jayson Megna, NHL forward (born in Florida)
  • Bill Mehlhorn, golfer, 1924 Western Open champion, third in U.S. Open
  • Garry Meier, radio personality
  • Katie Meier, basketball player for Duke, coach at Miami
  • Merrill C. Meigs, pilot, newspaper executive, Meigs Field named for him
  • Leo Melamed, CEO of Chicago Mercantile Exchange
  • Gene Melchiorre, basketball player, 1951 top NBA draft pick, banned for point-shaving scandal
  • Al Melgard, organist at Chicago Stadium 1930-74
  • Ski Melillo, MLB infielder 1926–37
  • Chuck Mellor, winner of 1925 Boston Marathon
  • Rich Melman, restaurateur
  • Lester Melrose, music producer
  • Walter Melrose, music producer
  • Bill Melton, MLB third baseman, sportscaster (born in Mississippi)
  • Daniel Meltzer, Harvard law professor, Barack Obama deputy counsel
  • David O. Meltzer, professor of medicine
  • Rachel Melvin, actress, Dumb and Dumber To
  • Rashaan Melvin, NFL cornerback
  • John Willis Menard, first African-American elected to U.S. Congress, 1858
  • Pierre Menard, fur trader, Illinois' first lieutenant governor (born in Canada)
  • Carol Mendelsohn, TV executive, CSI and CSI:NY
  • Rashard Mendenhall, running back for Illinois and Super Bowl XLIII champion Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Susana Mendoza, politician, Illinois Comptroller
  • Alex Meneses, actress, model, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Everybody Loves Raymond
  • Sid Mercer, sportswriter
  • Joanna Merlin, casting director, actress
  • Charles Edward Merriam, political scientist, professor (born in Iowa)
  • Doris Merrick, actress, The Big Noise, The Counterfeiters
  • Ahmad Merritt, NFL wide receiver 2000–08
  • Aries Merritt, hurdler, 2012 London Olympics gold medalist
  • Bus Mertes, football coach, Kansas State, Drake
  • Robert Meschbach, soccer player
  • Laurie Metcalf, Emmy and Tony Award-winning, Oscar-nominated actress, Roseanne, The Conners, JFK, Internal Affairs, Toy Story, Lady Bird
  • Ralph Metcalfe, sprinter, 100-meter silver medalist at 1936 Summer Olympics; politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative
  • Linda Metheny, gymnast
  • Bert Metzger, football player
  • Dick Meyer, journalist, CBS News, BBC America and NPR
  • Joey Meyer, head basketball coach at DePaul 1984–97
  • John Meyer, pro football player and coach
  • Ray Meyer, Basketball Hall of Fame coach for DePaul from 1942–84
  • Russ Meyer, MLB pitcher 1946–59
  • Seth Meyers, television personality, Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Seth Meyers
  • Mezz Mezzrow, jazz musician

Mi–Mn

thumb|150px|[[George Mikan]]

  • Patrick Michaels, climatologist, senior fellow at Cato Institute
  • M. Alfred Michaelson, banker, U.S. Representative (born in Norway)
  • Chris Michalak, MLB pitcher 1998–2006
  • Laura Michalek, won 1979 Chicago Marathon at age 15
  • Robert H. Michel, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative for 38 years, House Minority Leader 1981–95
  • Lucia Mida, golfer
  • Ray Middleton, actor, Hurricane Smith, Lady for a Night, 1776
  • Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, modernist architect (born in Prussia)
  • Richard W. Mies, admiral, head of U.S. Strategic Command 1998–2001
  • Ed Mikan, pro and DePaul basketball player
  • George Mikan, Hall of Fame basketball center, DePaul and five-time NBA champion Minneapolis Lakers
  • Stan Mikita, 22-year player for Chicago Blackhawks, member of Hockey Hall of Fame (born in Canada)
  • Abner Mikva, judge, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative, White House Counsel to Bill Clinton
  • Darius Miles, forward for four NBA teams
  • Gina Miles, singer, winner of The Voice season 23
  • Penelope Milford, Oscar-nominated actress, Coming Home
  • Adam Miller, basketball player
  • Bob Miller, pitched in MLB at 17
  • Bob Miller, broadcaster in Hockey Hall of Fame
  • Bobby Miller, MLB pitcher
  • Jack Miller, 12-year U.S. Senator of Iowa
  • Jesse Miller, musician
  • Mary Miller, U.S. Representative
  • Otis L. Miller, MLB infielder 1927–32
  • Patrick Miller, American player in Israeli Basketball Premier League
  • Red Miller, head coach of Denver Broncos 1977–80
  • Ron Miller, songwriter, "For Once in My Life"
  • Steve Miller, track coach, athletic director, Nike executive, PBA director
  • Terry Miller, NFL linebacker 1970–74
  • Ward Miller, MLB outfielder 1909–17
  • James Millhollin, character actor
  • Wally Millies, MLB catcher 1934–41
  • Robert Andrews Millikan, experimental physicist and Nobel laureate
  • Isaac Lawrence Milliken, blacksmith, alderman, Mayor of Chicago 1854–55 (born in Maine)
  • Donna Mills, actress, Knots Landing, Play Misty for Me
  • Douglas R. Mills, basketball player, coach and athletic director for University of Illinois
  • Phoebe Mills, gymnast, 1988 Olympic bronze medalist
  • Sherrill Milnes, opera singer
  • Bob Miner, co-founder of Oracle Corporation
  • Steve Miner, film and TV director, Friday the 13th Part 2, Lake Placid, Day of the Dead
  • Vincente Minnelli, Oscar-winning film director, An American in Paris, Gigi, The Band Wagon, Lust for Life, The Bad and the Beautiful, Father of the Bride, Some Came Running
  • Minnie Miñoso, Hall of Fame outfielder, batted for White Sox in 1950s–1980s (born in Cuba)
  • Martha Minow, dean of Harvard Law School
  • Bob Mionske, attorney, Olympic and professional bicycle racer
  • Chad Mirkin, professor, Northwestern
  • Pat Misch, MLB pitcher 2006–11
  • Jacquelyn Mitchard, author, The Deep End of the Ocean
  • Joan Mitchell, artist
  • John Mitchell, labor leader
  • John Francis Mitchell, president and COO of Motorola 1980–1995
  • Johnny Mitchell, NFL tight end 1992–96
  • Kel Mitchell, comedian and actor
  • Nicole Mitchell, flautist (born in New York)
  • Roscoe Mitchell, jazz saxophonist
  • Matt Mitrione, mixed martial artist

Mo–Mt

thumb|150px|[[Jennifer Morrison]]

thumb|200x200px|[[Mr. T]]

  • Tony Moeaki, NFL tight end 2010–16
  • Joe Moeller, MLB pitcher and scout
  • Doug Moench, comic book writer, Batman
  • Alex Moffat, comedian, Saturday Night Live
  • D. W. Moffett, actor, Switched at Birth, For Your Love, Friday Night Lights
  • Nazr Mohammed, center for eight NBA teams
  • Kid Mohler, baseball player, Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame
  • Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, artist, founder of IIT Institute of Design (born in Hungary)
  • John Moisant, early 20th Century aviator
  • Bo Molenda, NFL player and coach
  • Jim Molinari, basketball head coach at Western Illinois, Bradley, Northern Illinois and Minnesota
  • David Molk, NFL center 2012–15
  • Jeff Monken, football coach, Army
  • Harriet Monroe, poet
  • Meredith Monroe, actress, Dawson's Creek, Criminal Minds
  • Zach Monroe, pitcher for 1958 World Series champion New York Yankees
  • Eric Monte, creator of TV series Good Times
  • Megan Montefusco, pro soccer player
  • Kahmari Montgomery, sprinter
  • Karen Montgomery, actress, producer
  • Dwight L. Moody, evangelical minister, publisher, established Moody Bible Institute (born in Massachusetts)
  • William Vaughn Moody, dramatist and poet (born in Indiana)
  • Thomas Mooney, imprisoned labor leader
  • Hank Moonjean, film producer, Sharky's Machine, Dangerous Liaisons
  • Allen F. Moore, U.S. Representative 1921–25
  • Annabelle Moore, dancer, silent film actress
  • Ben Moore, player in Israeli Basketball Premier League
  • Charles R. Moore, actor
  • Christina Moore, actress, Hawthorne, Hyperion Bay, Hot Properties
  • Clayton Moore, actor, The Lone Ranger
  • Dayton Moore, baseball executive (born in Kansas)
  • D. J. Moore, NFL defensive back 2009–14
  • Dolores Moore, pro baseball player
  • Eleanor Moore, pro baseball player
  • Graham Moore, Oscar-winning screenwriter, The Imitation Game
  • Irving J. Moore, television director
  • Jesse Hale Moore, Civil War general, U.S. Representative
  • John Moore, NHL defenseman
  • John Moore, lieutenant governor 1842–46, Mexican–American War officer (born in England)
  • Margo Moore, actress, fashion model
  • Richard Moore, cinematographer, co-creator of Panavision
  • Stephen Moore, economic writer, policy analyst
  • Tim Moore, actor and comedian, Amos 'n' Andy
  • Emery Moorehead, tight end for Super Bowl XX champion Chicago Bears
  • Dick Moores, cartoonist
  • Pablo Morales, swimmer, 1984 and 1992 Olympic golds, Nebraska coach
  • Bugs Moran, gangster, rival of Al Capone
  • Jackie Moran, actor, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Buck Rogers
  • Jim Moran, automobile mogul, philanthropist
  • Lee Moran, actor, director, screenwriter
  • Polly Moran, actress, Caught Short, Alice in Wonderland
  • Terry Moran, correspondent for ABC News
  • Tom Morello, guitarist for Rage Against the Machine
  • Anna Morgan, drama teacher (born in New York)
  • Cindy Morgan, actress, Caddyshack, Tron
  • Ed Morgan, infielder for Cleveland Indians 1928–33
  • Helen Morgan, singer, portrayed in biopic The Helen Morgan Story
  • Read Morgan, actor, The Deputy
  • Trevor Morgan, actor, The Sixth Sense, Jurassic Park III, The Patriot
  • Big Bill Morganfield, blues singer and guitarist
  • George Moriarty, MLB player, manager and umpire
  • Audrey Morris, jazz singer
  • Buckner Stith Morris, Mayor of Chicago 1838–39 (born in Kentucky)
  • Jeannie Morris, sports journalist (born in California)
  • Johnny Morris, receiver for Chicago Bears, sportscaster (born in California)
  • Lamorne Morris, actor, New Girl
  • Max Morris, basketball and football All-American for Northwestern
  • Sandi Morris, pole vaulter, 2016 Olympics silver medalist
  • Allie Morrison, freestyle wrestler, 1928 Olympic gold medalist (born in Iowa)
  • David Morrison, astrophysicist
  • James L. D. Morrison, Mexican War officer, U.S. Representative 1856–57
  • Jennifer Morrison, actress, model, House, How I Met Your Mother, Star Trek, Once Upon a Time
  • Karen Morrison-Comstock, 1974 Miss USA
  • William Ralls Morrison, Civil War officer, U.S. Representative
  • Larry Morrissey, mayor of Rockford 2005–17
  • Byron Morrow, actor, Executive Suite
  • Karen Morrow, singer
  • William Morrow, screenwriter
  • Lee Mortimer, journalist and author
  • Amy Morton, actress, Up in the Air, Chicago P.D.
  • Charles Morton, actor
  • Jelly Roll Morton, jazz pianist (born in Louisiana)
  • Joy Morton, founder of Morton Salt company and Morton Arboretum
  • Lorraine H. Morton, first African-American mayor of Evanston
  • John Mosca, restaurateur in Louisiana
  • Margaret Moser, music journalist
  • Porter Moser, basketball coach, Illinois State, Loyola, Oklahoma
  • Beth Moses, commercial astronaut
  • Mark Moses, actor, Desperate Housewives, Grand, Mad Men
  • Senta Moses, actress, General Hospital, Running the Halls, Home Alone
  • Peter Moskos, assistant professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice
  • Stewart Moss, actor, writer and director
  • Burton C. Mossman, cattleman and lawman
  • Johnny Mostil, outfielder for White Sox, two-time AL stolen-base leader
  • Willard Motley, columnist and author
  • Ben Roy Mottelson, physicist, 1975 Nobel Prize
  • Markos Moulitsas, founder of liberal blog Daily Kos, columnist
  • Samuel W. Moulton, lawyer, U.S. Representative (born in Massachusetts)
  • Anson Mount, actor, Hell on Wheels, Non-Stop, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
  • Edgar Ansel Mowrer, foreign correspondent and author
  • Paul Scott Mowrer, war correspondent and editor
  • John Moyer, lineman for arena football's Chicago Rush
  • Mr. T, actor, Rocky III, The A-Team

Mu–Mz

thumb|227x227px|[[Bill Murray]]

  • Jerry Muckensturm, linebacker for Chicago Bears 1976–83
  • Jessie Mueller, singer and actress, Tony Award winner
  • Earl Muetterties, inorganic chemist
  • Jabir Herbert Muhammad, Nation of Islam official, manager of Muhammad Ali (born in Michigan)
  • Gavin Muir, actor
  • John Mulaney, stand-up comedian, Saturday Night Live writer, producer, host
  • Mark Mulder, pitcher for Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals
  • Clarence E. Mulford, creator of Hopalong Cassidy
  • David Mulford, U.S. Ambassador to India 2004–09
  • Martin Mull, actor, Fernwood 2 Night, Mr. Mom, Clue, Serial, Roseanne, Dads
  • Vern Mullen, NFL halfback 1923–27
  • Bill Mulliken, swimming gold medalist, 1960 Olympics
  • Bryan Mullins, basketball player and head coach for Southern Illinois
  • George Mundelein, cardinal and Archbishop of Chicago (born in New York)
  • Madman Muntz, car-stereo pioneer
  • Edgar Munzel, baseball writer
  • Ira Murchison, sprinter, 1956 Summer Olympics relay gold
  • Ben Murphy, actor, Alias Smith and Jones, Winds of War (born in Arkansas)
  • Charles Murphy, owner of Chicago Cubs 1906–13
  • David Lee Murphy, country music artist
  • Dick Murphy, mayor of San Diego 2000–05
  • John Murphy, swimmer, gold medalist at 1972 Summer Olympics
  • John Benjamin Murphy, surgeon and innovator (born in Wisconsin)
  • Kelly Murphy, volleyball player
  • Thomas Joseph Murphy, archbishop of Seattle 1990–97
  • Bill Murray, comedian and Oscar-nominated actor, Saturday Night Live, the Ghostbusters movies, Stripes, Tootsie, Caddyshack, Groundhog Day, Scrooged, Lost in Translation, St. Vincent
  • Brian Doyle-Murray, actor, voice artist, Saturday Night Live, Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, The Razor's Edge, Wayne's World
  • Elizabeth Murray, artist
  • Joel Murray, actor, Dharma & Greg, Love & War, Grand, Mad Men
  • John Murray, music teacher, founder of Naperville, Illinois
  • Brent Musburger, sportscaster, Northwestern alumnus, 1960s Chicago sportswriter (born in Oregon)
  • Todd Musburger, talent agent
  • John Musker, animation director, Aladdin, Hercules, The Princess and the Frog
  • George Musso, Hall of Fame lineman for Chicago Bears
  • Max Mutchnick, TV producer, creator of Will & Grace
  • Riccardo Muti, Chicago symphony conductor 2008–23 (born in Italy)
  • Mike Myers, MLB pitcher 1995–2007
  • Don Myrick, saxophonist for Earth, Wind & Fire, Phil Collins

N

Na–Nn

thumb|208x208px|[[Marisol Nichols]]

thumb|208x208px|[[Ray Nitschke]]

  • John Naber, swimmer, winner of five Olympic medals
  • Bill Nack, author and journalist
  • Abdel Nader, forward, Northern Illinois and NBA (born in Egypt)
  • Steven R. Nagel, astronaut
  • Jack Nagle, basketball coach for Marquette 1953–58
  • Ajay Naidu, actor, Office Space, LateLine
  • Suzy Nakamura, actress, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Dr. Ken
  • Duke Nalon, auto racer in Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
  • Bryan Namoff, pro soccer player (born in Nevada)
  • Albinus Nance, Governor of Nebraska 1879–1883
  • Ray Nance, trumpeter
  • Joseph Naper, shipbuilder, first village president of Naperville
  • Bob Nardella, hockey player, coach of Chicago Wolves
  • Robert Nardelli, CEO, Chrysler, Home Depot (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Charles W. Nash, automobile entrepreneur, created Nash Motors
  • Heather Nauert, anchor for Fox News Channel
  • Tom Neal, actor, Detour, Crime, Inc.
  • Long John Nebel, radio personality
  • Oscar Neebe, convicted Haymarket affair anarchist (born in New York)
  • Carrie Neely, four-time U.S. Open tennis doubles champion
  • Cal Neeman, MLB catcher 1957–63
  • John G. Neihardt, author and historian
  • A.L. Neiman, co-founder of Neiman Marcus
  • Bernie Neis, MLB player 1920–27
  • Baby Face Nelson, bank robber and murderer in 1930s
  • Battling Nelson, boxer, lightweight champion 1905–06 (born in Denmark)
  • Don Nelson, NBA player and coach in Basketball Hall of Fame (born in Michigan)
  • John Nelson, swimmer, 1964 and 1968 Olympic medalist
  • Karl Nelson, lineman for Super Bowl XXI champion New York Giants
  • Michael J. Nelson, comedian and writer, Mystery Science Theater 3000
  • Wayne Nelson, musician from classic rock's Little River Band
  • Eliot Ness, treasury agent, chief investigator of Prohibition Bureau, subject of film and TV series The Untouchables
  • Dawn Clark Netsch, state senator, comptroller, gubernatorial candidate
  • Lois Nettleton, 1948 Miss Illinois, Emmy-winning actress, The Twilight Zone, Come Fly with Me, Period of Adjustment
  • Jerry Neudecker, baseball umpire
  • Harry Neumann, cinematographer
  • P. Scott Neville Jr., judge, Supreme Court of Illinois
  • Allan Nevins, historian and 1933 Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer
  • Arthur S. Nevins, U.S. Army general, friend of Dwight Eisenhower
  • Walter C. Newberry, Civil War officer, Chicago postmaster, U.S. Representative (born in New York)
  • Walter Loomis Newberry, president of Chicago Board of Education, philanthropist, created Newberry Library
  • New Colony Six, rock band from Chicago
  • Francis K. Newcomer, general, Panama Canal Zone governor 1948–52
  • Bob Newhart, Emmy and Grammy-winning comedian, actor, The Bob Newhart Show, Newhart, Catch-22, In & Out, Elf
  • Joe Newton, cross country coach, 28 state championships
  • Kim Ng, MLB executive (born in Indiana)
  • Alberta Nichols, songwriter
  • Marisol Nichols, actress, Riverdale, Resurrection Blvd., 24, Blind Justice
  • Mike Nichols, Oscar and Tony-winning film and stage director, alumnus of University of Chicago and Second City (born in Russia)
  • Nichelle Nichols, actress, Nyota Uhura on Star Trek
  • Danell Nicholson, heavyweight boxer
  • Seth Barnes Nicholson, astronomer
  • Carl Nicks, NBA guard 1980–83, played for 1979 NCAA runner-up Indiana State
  • John George Nicolay, secretary to Abe Lincoln (born in Germany)
  • Arthur Nielsen, founder of Nielsen Company, television ratings
  • Rick Nielsen, musician, Cheap Trick
  • Ben Niemann, NFL linebacker, Super Bowl LIV champion Kansas City Chiefs (born in Iowa)
  • Audrey Niffenegger, author, The Time Traveler's Wife
  • Alexa Nikolas, actress, Zoey 101, Hidden Hills
  • Rob Ninkovich, NFL linebacker 2006–16, two-time Super Bowl champion with New England Patriots
  • Ray Nitschke, Hall of Fame linebacker for Green Bay Packers, five-time NFL champion
  • Frank Nitti, gangster, associate of Al Capone (born in Italy)
  • Jack Nitzsche, Oscar-winning songwriter, "Up Where We Belong"
  • Agnes Nixon, creator of All My Children
  • Ogonna Nnamani, volleyball player, two-time Olympian

No–Nz

thumb|220x220px|[[Christopher Nolan]]

  • Natalia Nogulich, actress, Star Trek: The Next Generation
  • Christopher Nolan, director, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Oppenheimer (born in England)
  • Jonathan Nolan, screenwriter, The Dark Knight Rises, Interstellar, Westworld (born in England)
  • George Nolfi, screenwriter, The Bourne Ultimatum, Ocean's Twelve
  • Ken Nordine, voice-over artist (born in Iowa)
  • Nelson Norgren, four-sport athlete, 34-year University of Chicago coach
  • Ken Norman, player for three NBA teams
  • Bruce Norris, owner of NHL's Detroit Red Wings 1952–82
  • James D. Norris, chairman of Chicago Blackhawks, member of Hockey Hall of Fame
  • James E. Norris, miller, part-owner of Chicago Stadium and NHL teams (born in Canada)
  • Frank Norris, novelist
  • Lou North, MLB pitcher 1913–24
  • Cliff Norton, actor
  • Ken Norton, heavyweight boxer and actor, Mandingo
  • Ken Norton Jr., NFL linebacker and coach
  • Red Norvo, xylophone and vibraphone musician
  • Kim Novak, Golden Globe-winning actress, Vertigo, Picnic, Pal Joey, Bell, Book and Candle, Kiss Me, Stupid
  • Larry Novak, musical director at Mister Kelly's
  • Robert Novak, syndicated columnist, TV personality, author, conservative political commentator
  • Steve Novak, NBA forward 2006–17
  • Jay Novello, actor
  • Brent Novoselsky, tight end for Minnesota Vikings 1988–94
  • Christopher Nowinski, author, former WWE professional wrestler
  • Ted Nugent, rock musician (born in Michigan)
  • Kendrick Nunn, NBA guard
  • Mike Nussbaum, actor, Men in Black, Things Change
  • Russell Nype, Broadway actor and Tony Award winner
  • David Nyvall, theologian, first president of North Park University (born in Sweden)

O

Oa–Ok

thumb|150px|[[Bob Odenkirk]]

thumb|229x229px|[[Nick Offerman]]

thumb|150px|[[Barack Obama]]

  • Berry Oakley, musician with The Allman Brothers Band
  • Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States; former US Senator from Illinois (2004–2008) (born in Hawaii)
  • Michelle Obama, attorney, author, First Lady of the United States 2009–17, wife of Barack Obama
  • Dean O'Banion, organized crime figure
  • Ken Oberkfell, MLB infielder 1977–92, played for 1982 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals
  • Jim Oberweis, dairy owner, politician
  • Arch Oboler, playwright, radio personality, film director
  • Ed O'Bradovich, defensive end for 1963 NFL champion Chicago Bears
  • Hugh O'Brian, actor, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Ten Little Indians, Come Fly With Me, The Shootist
  • Chris O'Brien, pro football pioneer, owner of Chicago Cardinals
  • George M. O'Brien, U.S. Representative 1973–86
  • Mary K. O'Brien, judge
  • Thomas J. O'Brien, 24-year U.S. Representative
  • Jack O'Callahan, hockey player for Chicago Blackhawks and in 1980 "Miracle on Ice" game
  • Bob Ociepka, basketball coach
  • Mike O'Connell, NHL player and executive
  • Tommy O'Connell, quarterback, Cleveland Browns, 1957 NFL title game
  • Colleen O'Connor, ice dancer, three-time U.S. champion, Olympic bronze
  • Donald O'Connor, actor, dancer, Singin' in the Rain, There's No Business Like Show Business, Francis
  • Kevin J. O'Connor, actor, Color of Night, The Mummy, There Will Be Blood
  • Leslie O'Connor, baseball executive
  • Tim O'Connor, actor, Peyton Place, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
  • Tommy O'Connor, gangster (born in Ireland)
  • Anita O'Day, singer
  • Hank O'Day, Baseball Hall of Fame umpire
  • Rasmea Odeh, convicted of immigration fraud, imprisoned for terrorist bombing
  • Bill Odenkirk, comedy writer, actor, producer, Mr. Show, The Simpsons
  • Bob Odenkirk, actor, comedian, writer, director, Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad, Nebraska, Mr. Show, Fargo
  • Chris O'Donnell, actor, NCIS: Los Angeles, Scent of a Woman, Batman Forever, Batman & Robin
  • Jake Odorizzi, MLB pitcher
  • Matt O'Dwyer, NFL offensive lineman 1995–2004
  • Joe Oeschger, MLB pitcher 1915–24
  • Bob O'Farrell, catcher for three MLB teams, 1926 MVP and World Series champion, manager
  • Nick Offerman, Emmy-winning actor, comedian, Parks and Recreation, The Lego Movie, We're the Millers
  • William Butler Ogden, politician (Democrat), first Mayor of Chicago (born in New York)
  • Joseph Ogle, Revolutionary War soldier, established state's first Methodist church (born in Maryland)
  • Richard James Oglesby, politician (Republican), Civil War officer, U.S. Senator, three-time Governor of Illinois (born in Kentucky)
  • Richard B. Ogilvie, lawyer, Cook County Sheriff 1962-66, Governor of Illinois 1969–73 (born in Missouri)
  • Gail O'Grady, actress, American Dreams, NYPD Blue, Hellcats
  • David Ogrin, pro golfer
  • Tom O'Halleran, U.S. Representative in Arizona 2017–23
  • Barratt O'Hara, lieutenant governor, U.S. Representative 1949–69
  • Janice O'Hara, pro baseball player
  • Edward J. O'Hare, lawyer, associate of Al Capone, father of war hero Butch O'Hare (for whom O'Hare Airport was named)
  • Michael O'Hare, actor, Babylon 5
  • Don Ohl, five-time All-Star for three NBA teams
  • Don Ohlmeyer, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning television producer, Monday Night Football, Saturday Night Live
  • Jahlil Okafor, basketball player for Duke and Philadelphia 76ers, third pick of 2015 NBA draft
  • Georgia O'Keeffe, artist, Art Institute of Chicago student (born in Wisconsin)

Ol–Oz

  • Douglas R. Oberhelman, CEO of Caterpillar Inc.
  • Porsha Olayiwola, Boston poet laureate
  • Ed Olczyk, player for six NHL teams, coach, TV commentator
  • Arne Oldberg, composer, Northwestern professor
  • Claes Oldenburg, sculptor (born in Sweden)
  • Brian Oldfield, shot putter
  • Jawann Oldham, center for eight NBA teams
  • Catherine O'Leary, said to be indirectly responsible for Great Chicago Fire
  • Charley O'Leary, oldest MLB player (58) ever to bat
  • Matt O'Leary, actor
  • John M. Olin, owner of 1974 Kentucky Derby winner Cannonade
  • Ken Olin, actor, director, Thirtysomething, Brothers & Sisters
  • Gene Oliver, catcher for five MLB teams
  • Guy Oliver, silent-film actor
  • King Oliver, jazz musician (born in Louisiana)
  • Martha Capps Oliver, poet, hymnwriter
  • Gertrude Olmstead, silent-film actress
  • James Olson, actor, The Andromeda Strain, Rachel, Rachel, Ragtime
  • Francis O'Neill, Chicago chief of police 1901–05 (born in Ireland)
  • Kyle Onstott, author, Mandingo
  • Jerry Orbach, film, TV and Tony-winning stage actor, Law & Order, Prince of the City, Dirty Dancing, Beauty and the Beast
  • Dick Orkin, radio personality
  • Suze Orman, author, financial advisor, television commentator
  • Red Ormsby, Major League Baseball umpire 1923–41
  • Jim O'Rourke, musician, Sonic Youth
  • Carey Orr, cartoonist
  • David Orr, alderman, Cook County clerk, briefly Mayor of Chicago
  • Johnny Orr, basketball coach, Michigan and Iowa State
  • Warren H. Orr, judge (born in Missouri)
  • Zak Orth, actor, Revolution
  • Kid Ory, musician and bandleader (born in Louisiana)
  • Harold Osborn, gold medalist in decathlon and high jump at 1924 Summer Olympics
  • James O'Shaughnessy, NFL and Illinois State tight end
  • Dan Osinski, MLB pitcher 1962–70
  • Wally Osterkorn, pro basketball player
  • Fritz Ostermueller, MLB pitcher 1934–48
  • Johnny Ostrowski, MLB player for Cubs and White Sox
  • Jim O'Toole, MLB pitcher 1958–67
  • Dave Otto, MLB pitcher 1987-94, sportscaster
  • Diana Oughton, student activist, member of The Weathermen
  • Antoine Ouilmette, early settler, Wilmette namesake (born in Canada)
  • Harold Ousley, jazz musician
  • David K. Overstreet, judge
  • Michael Ovitz, co-founder of Creative Artists Agency, president of Walt Disney Company 1995–97
  • Ruth Bryan Owen, first female in Florida elected to U.S. Congress; ambassador to Denmark and Iceland
  • Brick Owens, MLB umpire 1908–37 (born in Wisconsin)
  • Mel Owens, NFL linebacker 1981-89 (born in Michigan)
  • Joseph W. Ozbourn, decorated World War II soldier
  • Marite Ozers, 1963 Miss USA (born in Latvia)
  • Ray Ozzie, executive with Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard

P

Pa–Pd

thumb|225x225px|[[Keke Palmer]]

thumb|226x226px|[[Mandy Patinkin]]

thumb|150px|[[Danica Patrick]]

  • Cliff Padgett, motorboat builder, hydroplane racer
  • Walter Paepcke, philanthropist, founder of Aspen Institute
  • Priscilla Paetsch, violinist
  • Geraldine Page, Oscar-winning actress, The Trip to Bountiful, Hondo, Sweet Bird of Youth (born in Missouri)
  • Harlan Page, two-sport star for University of Chicago, head coach of Butler basketball, Indiana football
  • Kimberly Page, professional wrestling personality
  • Ruth Page, ballerina, Chicago patron of the arts (born in Indiana)
  • Deborah Pratt, actress, writer, producer, director
  • Jean Paige, silent-film actress
  • Eleazar A. Paine, lawyer, controversial Civil War officer (born in Ohio)
  • Norman C. Paine, football coach, Baylor, Arkansas and Iowa State
  • Curtis Painter, NFL quarterback 2009–14
  • Ho-Sung Pak, actor, martial artist, action choreographer
  • Max Palevsky, philanthropist, computer technology pioneer
  • William S. Paley, broadcasting pioneer, chief executive of CBS
  • Donn Pall, MLB pitcher 1988–98
  • Ashley Palmer, actress, singer, Paranormal Activity
  • Bee Palmer, singer, "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone"
  • Bertha Palmer, philanthropist (born in Kentucky)
  • Betsy Palmer, actress and TV personality, Mister Roberts, The Tin Star, I've Got a Secret, Friday the 13th (born in Indiana)
  • John M. Palmer, politician (Democrat, Republican, Free Soil), Civil War general, U.S. Senator 1891–97, Governor of Illinois 1869–73 (born in Kentucky)
  • John McAuley Palmer, World War II general
  • Keke Palmer, Emmy-winning actress, singer, Madea's Family Reunion, Joyful Noise, Hustlers, Nope
  • Peter Palmer, singer, athlete, actor, Li'l Abner (born in Wisconsin)
  • Phoebe Palmer, evangelist and author (born in New York)
  • Potter Palmer, land developer, Palmer House founder (born in New York)
  • Shirley Palmer, actress
  • Danielle Panabaker, actress, Shark, Empire Falls, Friday the 13th, The Flash (born in Georgia)
  • Kay Panabaker, actress, Summerland, Phil of the Future (born in Texas)
  • Norman Panama, screenwriter, director, White Christmas, Road to Utopia, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House
  • Ken Panfil, NFL lineman 1956–62
  • James Pankow, musician, a founding member of rock band Chicago (born in Missouri)
  • John Pankow, actor, To Live and Die in L.A., A Stranger Among Us, Episodes (born in Missouri)
  • Chuck Panozzo, bass player for rock band Styx
  • John Panozzo, drummer for rock band Styx
  • George Papadopoulos, advisor to 2016 Donald Trump campaign
  • Al Papai, MLB pitcher 1948–55
  • Billy Papke, middleweight boxing champion, Hall of Fame
  • Erik Pappas, MLB catcher
  • Milt Pappas, MLB pitcher 1957-73, no-hitter for Chicago Cubs, managed Chicago Storm (born in Michigan)
  • Thomas Paprocki, Catholic bishop of Springfield
  • Walter Parazaider, musician with band Chicago
  • Jimmy Pardo, comedian, actor
  • Sara Paretsky, crime novelist (born in Iowa)
  • Jannero Pargo, guard for six NBA teams
  • Tiny Parham, pianist and bandleader (born in Canada)
  • Jane Park, LPGA golfer
  • Anthony Parker, guard for four NBA teams, 2004 Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP, executive with Orlando Magic
  • Candace Parker, two-time NCAA champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, three-time WNBA champion and twice MVP
  • Eric Parker, wide receiver for San Diego Chargers 2002–07
  • Francis W. Parker, education reformer (born in New Hampshire)
  • Jabari Parker, basketball forward, four-time state champion with Simeon, second pick of 2014 NBA draft
  • Salty Parker, MLB player, coach, manager
  • Sonny Parker, guard for Golden State Warriors 1976–82
  • Wes Parker, first baseman for Los Angeles Dodgers 1964–72
  • Larry Parks, Oscar-nominated actor, The Jolson Story, Down to Earth, Jolson Sings Again, The Swordsman
  • Ben Parr, journalist, author, venture capitalist
  • Vernon Parrington, historian, 1928 Pulitzer Prize
  • Steve Parris, MLB pitcher 1995–2003
  • Terell Parks, player in Israeli Basketball Premier League
  • Albert Parsons, editor, anarchist executed after Haymarket affair (born in Alabama)
  • Claude V. Parsons, educator, U.S. Representative 1930–41
  • Louella Parsons, syndicated newspaper columnist
  • Lucy Parsons, anarchist and labor organizer (born in Texas)
  • Cecil A. Partee, president of state senate (born in Arkansas)
  • Ed Paschke, artist
  • Tony Pashos, NFL offensive tackle 2003–13
  • Dave Pasquesi, actor
  • Geeta Patel, director and screenwriter
  • Ravi Patel, actor, Grandfathered
  • Don Patinkin, Israeli-American economist, President of Hebrew University of Jerusalem
  • Mandy Patinkin, Emmy-winning actor, The Princess Bride, Dick Tracy, Ragtime, Yentl, Chicago Hope, Homeland
  • Sheldon Patinkin, theater director for Columbia College, Second City
  • Danica Patrick, auto racer, best finish of any woman in Daytona 500, Indianapolis 500 (born in Wisconsin)
  • David Patrick, Olympic hurdler
  • Deval Patrick, governor of Massachusetts 2007–15
  • Laurdine Patrick, saxophonist
  • Leonard Patrick, organized crime figure (born in England)
  • Stan Patrick, pro basketball player
  • Alexandra Patsavas, TV/film music supervisor, Grey's Anatomy, Supernatural, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
  • Lauren Patten, singer and actress, Tony Award winner
  • Alicia Patterson, editor and publisher, founder of Newsday
  • Cissy Patterson, editor and publisher, countess
  • Don Patterson, producer, animator, director, The Smurfs, Dumbo, Pinocchio, Fantasia
  • Francine Patterson, animal psychologist, taught language to Koko the gorilla
  • Joseph Medill Patterson, editor, publisher, New York Daily News founder
  • Pat Patterson, MLB player, New York Giants 1921
  • Marty Pattin, pitcher for five MLB teams
  • Spencer Patton, MLB relief pitcher
  • Art Paul, graphic artist for Playboy 1953–83; designer of bunny logo
  • Josh Paul, catcher for four MLB teams
  • Gene Paulette, MLB infielder 1914–20
  • Henry Paulson, financier, 2006–09 U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (born in Florida)
  • Pawnee Bill, Wild West showman with Buffalo Bill
  • John Paxson, three-time NBA champion, executive for Chicago Bulls (born in Ohio)
  • Melanie Paxson, actress
  • Tom Paxton, folk musician and singer-songwriter, 2009 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Ethel L. Payne, journalist, activist
  • John B. Payne, Secretary of Interior 1920–21 (born in West Virginia)
  • Sally Payne, actress
  • William Morton Payne, educator, writer (born in Massachusetts)
  • Gary Payton, astronaut
  • Jarrett Payton, pro football player, radio personality
  • Sean Payton, head coach of Denver Broncos and Super Bowl XLIV champion New Orleans Saints (born in California)
  • Walter Payton, Hall of Fame running back for Super Bowl XX champion Chicago Bears (born in Mississippi)

Pe–Pg

thumb|228x228px|[[Michael Peña]]

  • Walter C. Peacock, jeweler, Lincoln Park Gun Club founder
  • Hal Pearl, organist
  • Barry Pearson, NFL wide receiver 1972–76
  • Drew Pearson, syndicated newspaper columnist
  • Paul Martin Pearson, professor, governor of Virgin Islands
  • Preston Pearson, basketball player for Illinois, NFL running back in five Super Bowls
  • Todd Peat, NFL offensive lineman 1987–93
  • Donald C. Peattie, author and botanist
  • Elia W. Peattie, journalist and naturalist (born in Michigan)
  • John Mason Peck, Baptist minister and author (born in Connecticut)
  • Ferdinand Peck, philanthropist, financier of Auditorium Building, Chicago
  • Richard Peck, author
  • George Peek, economist
  • Westbrook Pegler, journalist, 1941 Pulitzer Prize (born in Minnesota)
  • Chris Pelekoudas, MLB umpire
  • Rob Pelinka, general manager of Los Angeles Lakers, player for three Final Four basketball teams
  • Paula Pell, Emmy-winning comedy writer, actress
  • Clara Peller, commercial actress, "Where's the beef?"
  • Anthony Pellicano, private investigator, imprisoned 2008–19
  • Michael Peña, actor, World Trade Center, Crash, Shooter, End of Watch, American Hustle, The Martian
  • D. A. Pennebaker, documentary filmmaker, Dont Look Back, The War Room, Unlocking the Cage
  • Jack Perconte, infielder for four MLB teams
  • Chuck Percy, president of Bell & Howell Corporation, U.S. Senator (Republican) of Illinois for 20 years (born in Florida)
  • Sylvia Perez, Chicago television journalist (born in Oklahoma)
  • George Periolat, silent-film actor
  • Dewayne Perkins, comedian and screenwriter
  • Marlin Perkins, host of television's Wild Kingdom, 18-year director of Lincoln Park Zoo (born in Missouri)
  • Walter Perkins, drummer
  • Edythe Perlick, pro baseball player
  • Bill Perry, cartoonist
  • Felton Perry, actor, Magnum Force, RoboCop
  • Jeff Perry, actor, Nash Bridges, Grey's Anatomy, Scandal
  • Pat Perry, MLB pitcher 1985-90
  • Zoe Perry, actress, Young Sheldon
  • Rudy Perz, advertising executive, creator of Pillsbury Doughboy
  • Jim Peterik, singer-songwriter with bands The Ides of March and Survivor, co-wrote "Eye of the Tiger"
  • Devereaux Peters, third selection of 2012 WNBA draft, two-time champion with Minnesota Lynx
  • Elizabeth Peters, mystery novelist
  • Joan Peters, journalist and author
  • Ted Petersen, offensive lineman for two-time Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers
  • William Petersen, actor, Gil Grissom on CSI, Manhunter, To Live and Die in L.A., The Rat Pack
  • Dan Peterson, pro basketball coach
  • Drew Peterson, police officer, convicted murderer
  • Fritz Peterson, pitcher for New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians
  • Peter George Peterson, CEO of Lehman Bros., Bell & Howell, 1972–73 U.S. Secretary of Commerce (born in Nebraska)
  • Bernice Petkere, songwriter
  • Robert Petkoff, stage actor (born in California)
  • Harry Mark Petrakis, author (born in Missouri)
  • Lloyd Pettit, hockey sportscaster
  • George Petty, pinup artist (born in Louisiana)
  • Dave Peyton, songwriter and musician
  • Jeff Pfeffer, MLB pitcher 1911–24
  • Wally Pfister, Oscar-winning cinematographer
  • Father Michael Pfleger, controversial Roman Catholic priest
  • Lee Pfund, pitcher for Brooklyn Dodgers
  • Randy Pfund, head coach for Los Angeles Lakers 1992–94, general manager for Miami Heat

Ph–Pn

thumb|200x200px|[[Busy Philipps]]

  • Liz Phair, singer and songwriter (born in Connecticut)
  • Roger Phegley, guard for five NBA teams
  • Art Phelan, MLB player for Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs
  • Mary Philbin, silent-film actress, Phantom of the Opera
  • Andy Phillip, Hall of Fame basketball player for Illinois
  • Busy Philipps, actress, Dawson's Creek, Freaks and Geeks, ER
  • Emo Philips, entertainer and comedian
  • Irna Phillips, creator of Guiding Light and As the World Turns
  • John Calhoun Phillips, Governor of Arizona 1929–31
  • Julianne Phillips, model, actress, first wife of Bruce Springsteen
  • Kyra Phillips, television journalist
  • Wally Phillips, radio personality (born in Ohio)
  • William Phipps, actor, Cinderella (born in Indiana)
  • Brian Piccolo, running back for Chicago Bears, subject of Brian's Song (born in Massachusetts)
  • Bob Pickens, Olympic wrestler and Bears offensive lineman
  • Ollie Pickering, first batter in MLB American League history
  • William Pickering, 19th Century governor of Washington (born in England)
  • Pat Pieper, public-address announcer at Wrigley Field for 59 years
  • Alec Pierce, NFL wide receiver
  • Billy Pierce, pitcher, scout, broadcaster for Chicago White Sox, seven-time All-Star (born in Michigan)
  • George Pierce, MLB player 1912–17
  • Walter M. Pierce, 17th Governor of Oregon
  • Jimmy Piersall, baseball player and Chicago sportscaster, subject of Fear Strikes Out (born in Connecticut)
  • Geoff Pierson, actor, Unhappily Ever After, 24, Dexter
  • Pete Pihos, decorated soldier, six-time Pro Bowl player for NFL's Philadelphia Eagles 1947–55 (born in Florida)
  • Janet Pilgrim, model, three-time Playboy centerfold
  • Andy Pilney, football coach, Tulane 1954–61 (born in Kansas)
  • Steve Pink, writer, director, Accepted, Hot Tub Time Machine
  • Allan Pinkerton, detective, founder of Pinkerton's agency
  • Tonya Pinkins, Tony Award-winning actress, Jelly's Last Jam, Fading Gigolo, All My Children
  • Maria Pinto, fashion designer
  • Wally Pipp, first baseman for Detroit Tigers and 1923 World Series champion New York Yankees
  • Larsa Pippen, reality TV personality, The Real Housewives of Miami
  • Scottie Pippen, Hall of Fame forward for Chicago Bulls six-time champions (born in Arkansas)
  • Louis Piquett, lawyer of John Dillinger
  • Pauline Pirok, pro baseball player
  • Skip Pitlock, MLB pitcher 1970–75
  • Arthur Pitney, inventor of postage meter, co-founder of Pitney Bowes
  • Jeremy Piven, Emmy-winning actor, Entourage, Mr. Selfridge, Very Bad Things, Old School
  • Plain White T's, rock band from Chicago
  • Polly Platt, film producer, screenwriter
  • Kevin Plawecki, MLB catcher, 2012 Big Ten Player of the Year
  • James E. Plew, aviation pioneer
  • Pete Ploszek, actor, Teen Wolf, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films
  • Brian Plotkin, pro soccer player, head coach for Army
  • Ed Plumb, composer for Disney films, Fantasia, Bambi

Po–Pz

thumb|185x185px|[[Pope Leo XIV (Robert Prevost)]]

thumb|185x185px|[[Richard Pryor]]

thumb|164x164px|[[Kirby Puckett]]

  • John Podesta, White House Chief of Staff under Bill Clinton
  • Amy Poehler, comedian, actress, Second City, Saturday Night Live, Parks and Recreation (born in Massachusetts)
  • Angelo Poffo, professional wrestler
  • Tasha Pointer, basketball coach, UIC
  • D. A. Points, professional golfer
  • Matthew Polenzani, opera singer
  • Ben Pollack, big-band era bandleader
  • Fritz Pollard, first African-American head coach in NFL and Pro Football Hall of Famer
  • Dan Ponce, radio-TV journalist, singer with Straight No Chaser
  • Phil Ponce, Chicago television personality
  • Irving Kane Pond, architect (born in Michigan)
  • Cappie Pondexter, pro basketball player, 2007 MVP of WNBA Finals (born in California)
  • Ernest Poole, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist
  • William Frederick Poole, first Chicago Public Library librarian, designed Newberry Library (born in Massachusetts)
  • Carmelita Pope, actress
  • Nathaniel Pope, politician and advocate of statehood (born in Kentucky)
  • John Porter, U.S. Representative 1980–2001
  • H.V. Porter, coach, coined term "March Madness"
  • Kevin Porter, guard for three NBA teams, four-time league assist leader
  • Glenn Poshard, U.S. Representative, Southern Illinois University president
  • Michael Posner, attorney, human rights advocate, Assistant Secretary of State under Barack Obama
  • C. W. Post, breakfast cereal mogul
  • Marjorie Merriweather Post, founder of General Foods
  • Philip S. Post, Civil War general, U.S. Representative (born in New York)
  • Lou Pote, MLB pitcher 1999–2004
  • Nels Potter, pitcher for six MLB teams
  • Leah Poulos-Mueller, speed skater, 1976 and 1980 Olympic medalist
  • Jordyn Poulter, volleyball gold medalist, 2020 Summer Olympics
  • Alma Webster Powell, opera singer
  • Edward B. Powell, film composer
  • Jack Powell, MLB pitcher, won 245 games
  • John Wesley Powell, explorer, Civil War officer, Illinois Wesleyan professor (born in New York)
  • Maud Powell, violinist
  • Paul Powell, controversial politician
  • Roger Powell, Illinois basketball player, Valparaiso head coach
  • Jenny Powers, actress and 2000 Miss Illinois
  • John A. "Shorty" Powers, NASA official, voice of Mercury Control (born in Ohio)
  • Richard Powers, author, 2019 Pulitzer Prize
  • John Powless, basketball head coach for Wisconsin 1968-76
  • A. George Pradel, mayor of Naperville 1995–2015
  • Deborah Pratt, actress, writer
  • Toni Preckwinkle, teacher, president of Cook County Board
  • Tom Preissing, NHL defenseman
  • Mike Prendergast, MLB pitcher 1914–19
  • Patrick Prendergast, assassin of Chicago mayor, 1893 (born in Ireland)
  • Gary Pressy, organist at Wrigley Field 1987–2019
  • Keith Preston, writer
  • Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, head of the Catholic Church since 2025
  • Louis Price, singer with Temptations, Drifters
  • Melvin Price, 33-year U.S. Representative
  • Julian Priester, trombonist
  • Quinn Priester, MLB pitcher
  • George W. Prince, eight-term U.S. Representative
  • Tom Prince, MLB catcher 1987–2003
  • Joe Principe, musician, member of band Rise Against
  • John Prine, singer-songwriter, 2020 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Bret Prinz, MLB pitcher 2001–07
  • Mike Prior, defensive back for Super Bowl XXXI champion Green Bay Packers
  • A.N. Pritzker, lawyer and philanthropist (born in Russia)
  • Donald Pritzker, co-founder and president of Hyatt hotels
  • Jay Pritzker, co-founder, Hyatt Hotel chain
  • J. B. Pritzker, principal owner of Hyatt, philanthropist, 43rd Governor of Illinois
  • Penny Pritzker, U.S. Secretary of Commerce 2013–17
  • Robert Pritzker, president of Marmon Group
  • Thomas Pritzker, chairman of Hyatt Hotel
  • Cory Provus, baseball broadcaster
  • William Proxmire, 42-year U.S. Senator of Wisconsin
  • Richard Pryor, Emmy and Grammy Award-winning comedian and actor, The Mack, Silver Streak, Stir Crazy, The Toy, Superman III
  • Roman Pucinski, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative 1959–73
  • Kirby Puckett, Hall of Fame center fielder for two-time World Series champion Minnesota Twins
  • Tom Pukstys, six-time U.S. javelin champion
  • George M. Pullman, industrialist, designer of Pullman sleeping car (born in New York)
  • Edward Mills Purcell, winner of Nobel Prize in Physics
  • David Purcey, MLB pitcher 2008–13
  • Todd Purdum, national editor and political correspondent for Vanity Fair
  • Ken Purdy, automotive writer
  • Tim Purpura, baseball executive
  • C. C. Pyle, sports promoter
  • Mike Pyle, center for Chicago Bears 1961–69 (born in Iowa)

Q

thumb|221x221px|[[Aidan Quinn]]

  • Mike Quade, coach and manager for Chicago Cubs
  • John Qualen, actor, Casablanca, The Grapes of Wrath, The Searchers (born in Canada)
  • William Quarter, first Bishop of Chicago (born in Ireland)
  • James C. Quayle, newspaper publisher, father of Dan Quayle
  • John Francis Queeny, founder of Monsanto
  • Joel Quenneville, coach of three-time NHL champion Chicago Blackhawks (born in Canada)
  • Jeff Query, wide receiver for Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals
  • Smiley Quick, pro golfer
  • Allie Quigley, basketball player for DePaul and 2021 WNBA champion Chicago Sky
  • Mike Quigley, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative
  • Elaine Quijano, television journalist
  • Frank Quilici, player, coach and manager for Minnesota Twins
  • Peter Quillin, middleweight boxer
  • Jack Quinlan, sportscaster
  • Maeve Quinlan, tennis player and actress, The Bold and the Beautiful, South of Nowhere
  • Michael R. Quinlan, chairman of Loyola and McDonald's
  • Aidan Quinn, actor, Legends of the Fall, Benny and Joon, Michael Collins, Avalon, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Elementary
  • Declan Quinn, cinematographer, Leaving Las Vegas, Vanity Fair, Hamilton
  • Jeff Quinn, football coach
  • Louis Quinn, actor, 77 Sunset Strip
  • Pat Quinn, politician (Democrat), attorney, state treasurer, Governor of Illinois 2009–14
  • Adolfo "Shabba Doo" Quiñones, actor, dancer, choreographer
  • Rachel Quon, pro soccer player (born in California)

R

Ra–Rd

thumb|194x194px|[[Harold Ramis]]

  • Charles Radbourn, Hall of Fame baseball pitcher (born in New York)
  • Ted Radcliffe, pro baseball player 1928-46 (born in Alabama)
  • Doug Rader, MLB infielder 1967-77, manager of Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, California Angels
  • Phil Radford, environmental leader, Greenpeace executive director
  • Bill Radovich, football player and actor
  • Sondra Radvanovsky, opera soprano
  • Zoe Rae, silent-film actress
  • Robert O. Ragland, film score composer
  • Tom Railsback, politician (Republican), eight-term U.S. Representative
  • Henry Thomas Rainey, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative 1903–34, Speaker of the House under FDR
  • John W. Rainey, U.S. Representative 1918–23
  • Mamie Rallins, hurdler, coach, two-time Olympian
  • Buck Ram, songwriter, "Only You", "The Great Pretender"
  • Sendhil Ramamurthy, actor, Heroes, Beauty & the Beast, Covert Affairs
  • Harold Ramis, actor, director, writer SCTV, Ghostbusters, Caddyshack, Stripes, Groundhog Day, National Lampoon's Vacation
  • Charles H. Ramsey, police commissioner of Philadelphia 2008–16, police chief of Washington, D.C. 1998–2007
  • Edwin Ramsey, U.S. Army officer, guerrilla leader during World War II Japanese occupation of the Philippines
  • Lorene Ramsey, softball, basketball Hall of Famer (born in Missouri)
  • Ray Ramsey, defensive back for Chicago Cardinals
  • Bill Rancic, television personality, The Apprentice, Giuliana and Bill
  • William Rand, founder of Skokie-based Rand McNally (born in Massachusetts)
  • Clarence B. Randall, chairman of Inland Steel, presidential advisor (born in New York)
  • Martha Randall, swimmer, bronze medalist in 1964 Summer Olympics
  • Rebel Randall, actress, radio personality
  • Tony Randazzo, MLB umpire
  • Wayne Randazzo, MLB broadcaster for Los Angeles Angels
  • Betsy Randle, actress, Boy Meets World
  • Brian Randle, NBA coach and former Israeli Basketball Premier League player
  • Chasson Randle, pro basketball player
  • Antwaan Randle El, NFL wide receiver 2002–10, played for Super Bowl XL champion Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Kerri Randles, actress
  • Isabel Randolph, actress
  • Thomas E. G. Ransom, Civil War general, Ransom, Illinois named for him (born in Vermont)
  • Kwame Raoul, 42nd Illinois Attorney General
  • Frederic Raphael, Oscar-winning screenwriter, Darling, Two for the Road
  • Adam Rapp, novelist, playwright, screenwriter, musician, film director
  • Anthony Rapp, actor, singer, A Beautiful Mind, Rent, Dazed and Confused, Road Trip
  • David Rasche, actor, Succession, United 93, Sledge Hammer!
  • Wayne Rasmussen, defensive back for Detroit Lions 1964–72
  • John Ratcliffe, Republican Congressman from Texas 2015–20
  • George Ratkovicz, pro basketball player
  • Heather Rattray, actress, As the World Turns, Guiding Light
  • Green Berry Raum, brigadier general, chief of Internal Revenue Service 1876–83
  • Bruce Rauner, politician (Republican), Governor of Illinois 2015–19
  • John Aaron Rawlins, Civil War officer, U.S. Secretary of War
  • Lou Rawls, soul, jazz and blues singer and actor, winner of three Grammy Awards
  • Charles Ray, actor, producer, director
  • Hugh Ray, football official, Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • James Earl Ray, carried out April 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
  • Joie Ray, three-time Olympian, runner in Track Hall of Fame
  • Lyman Beecher Ray, lieutenant governor 1889–93 (born in Vermont)
  • Gene Rayburn, television personality, Match Game
  • Benjamin Wright Raymond, third Mayor of Chicago (born in New York)
  • Bugs Raymond, MLB pitcher 1904–11
  • Robin Raymond, actress, There's No Business Like Show Business
  • Ray Rayner, Chicago television personality (born in New York)

Re–Rh

thumb|188x188px|[[Ronald Reagan]]

thumb|220x220px|[[John C. Reilly]]

  • Jack Reagan, father of President Ronald Reagan
  • Nancy Reagan, actress, 1981–89 First Lady of the United States (born in New York)
  • Neil Reagan, radio-TV executive, older brother of Ronald Reagan
  • Nelle Wilson Reagan, mother of Ronald Reagan
  • Ronald Reagan, actor, politician (Republican), Governor of California and 40th President of the United States (born in Tampico, Illinois)
  • Billy Reay, won 516 games as Chicago Blackhawks coach (born in Canada)
  • Eugene Record, singer, The Chi-Lites
  • William Reddick, businessman, philanthropist, politician
  • Jheri Redding, hair care entrepreneur
  • Quinn Redeker, actor, screenwriter, The Young and the Restless, Days of Our Lives, Dan Raven, The Deer Hunter
  • Courtney Reed, actress
  • Dizzy Reed, musician, Guns N' Roses
  • James F. Reed, organizer of Donner Party (born in Ireland)
  • Jeff Reed, MLB catcher 1984–2000
  • Jimmy Reed, guitarist in Blues Hall of Fame (born in Mississippi)
  • John Shedd Reed, president of Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
  • Kennedy J. Reed, theoretical atomic physicist
  • Robert Reed, actor, Mike Brady on The Brady Bunch
  • Rondi Reed, stage actress, singer and performer
  • Tommy Rees, quarterback for Notre Dame 2010–13
  • George Reeves, actor, Superman (born in Iowa)
  • Tim Regan, pro soccer player
  • Henry Regnery, publisher, founder of Regnery Publishing
  • Wally Rehg, MLB player 1912–19
  • Kathy Reichs, crime writer, forensic anthropologist, academic
  • Charlotte Thompson Reid, singer, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative 1963–71
  • Frank R. Reid, attorney in court-martial of General Billy Mitchell, U.S. Representative 1923–35
  • Joe Reiff, basketball All-American for Northwestern
  • John Reilly, actor, Passions, Sunset Beach, Iron Man
  • John C. Reilly, actor, Talladega Nights, Step Brothers, Chicago, Gangs of New York, The Perfect Storm, Wreck-It Ralph
  • Ed Reimers, television announcer
  • Johan Reinhard, explorer
  • Bill Reinhardt, musician and bandleader
  • Haley Reinhart, singer, American Idol
  • Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls (born in New York)
  • Todd Reirden, NHL player and coach
  • Bryan Rekar, MLB pitcher
  • Zach Reks, MLB outfielder
  • Pat Renella, actor, Bullitt
  • Marcus Reno, Civil War officer, served with Gen. Custer in Battle of the Little Bighorn
  • Nancy Reno, beach volleyball player
  • Pug Rentner, halfback, College Football Hall of Fame player for Northwestern
  • REO Speedwagon, rock band from Champaign
  • Ken Retzer, MLB catcher 1961–64
  • Paul Reuschel, pitcher for Chicago Cubs 1975–79
  • Rick Reuschel, pitcher for five Major League teams, three-time All-Star
  • Katherine Reutter, speed skater, 2011 world champion, medalist in 2010 Vancouver Olympics
  • Nellie Revell, journalist, publicist
  • Frank Reynolds, Chicago and ABC newscaster (born in Indiana)
  • John Reynolds, judge, U.S. Representative, Governor of Illinois 1830–34 (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Marcellas Reynolds, actor, fashion stylist, entertainment reporter, TV host
  • Virginia Richmond Reynolds, artist
  • Wellington J. Reynolds, artist
  • La Julia Rhea, opera singer
  • John Rheinecker, pitcher for Texas Rangers 2006–07
  • Shonda Rhimes, television producer, creator, Scandal, Grey's Anatomy
  • William C. Rhoden, sports journalist
  • Betty Jane Rhodes, singer, actress, Sweater Girl, The Fleet's In
  • Jennifer Rhodes, actress, Charmed, Heathers

Ri–Rn

thumb|225x225px|[[Denise Richards]]

thumb|226x226px|[[Salli Richardson]]

  • Paul Ricca, mobster with Chicago Outfit
  • John Blake Rice, actor, producer, Mayor of Chicago 1865–69 (born in Maryland)
  • Craig Rice, mystery novelist and screenwriter
  • Dan and Ada Rice, philanthropists, owners of 1965 Kentucky Derby winner Lucky Debonair
  • Fred Rice Jr., officer, superintendent, Chicago Police Department
  • Simeon Rice, defensive lineman for Illinois and Super Bowl XXXVII champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Wallace Rice, poet, writer, designer of Flag of Chicago (born in Canada)
  • Bob Richards, pole vaulter, gold medalist 1952 Helsinki Olympics and 1956 Melbourne Olympics
  • Carol Richards, singer, radio and television performer
  • Denise Richards, actress, The World Is Not Enough, Denise Richards: It's Complicated
  • Trevor Richards, MLB pitcher
  • Cathy Richardson, singer, Jefferson Starship
  • Lee Richardson, actor, Prizzi's Honor, Prince of the City
  • Quentin Richardson, player for five NBA teams
  • Salli Richardson, actress, Eureka, Gargoyles, Family Law
  • Sy Richardson, actor, Pushing Daisies
  • William Alexander Richardson, governor of Nebraska territory, U.S. Senator of Illinois (born in Kentucky)
  • Lionel Richie, multiple Grammy Award-winning singer in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (born in Alabama)
  • Julius B. Richmond, U.S. Surgeon General 1977–81
  • Steve Richmond, defenseman for four NHL teams
  • Andy Richter, actor, comedian, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Madagascar films & cartoons
  • Joyce Ricketts, pro baseball player
  • Laura Ricketts, lawyer, co-owner of Chicago Cubs (born in Nebraska)
  • Tom Ricketts, banker, owner and chairman of Cubs (born in Nebraska)
  • Todd Ricketts, businessman, co-owner of Cubs (born in Nebraska)
  • Hyman G. Rickover, admiral, attended Marshall High School in Chicago (born in Poland)
  • Lucille Ricksen, silent film actress
  • John Ridgely, actor, The Big Sleep, Destination Tokyo
  • John Riegger, golfer
  • Marty Riessen, tennis player, US Open, French Open, Wimbledon doubles and mixed doubles champion
  • Dorothy Comiskey Rigney, owner of Chicago White Sox 1956–58
  • Johnny Rigney, White Sox pitcher and general manager
  • Boots Riley, rapper, producer
  • Ida Morey Riley, founder of Columbia College Chicago
  • Jack Riley, Northwestern player in College Football Hall of Fame, silver medalist 1932 Olympic wrestling
  • Patrick William Riordan, archbishop of San Francisco 1884–1914 (born in Canada)
  • Minnie Riperton, singer, "Lovin' You", mother of Maya Rudolph
  • Wally Ris, swimmer, two-time NCAA champion, two 1948 Olympic golds
  • Rise Against, rock band from Chicago
  • Bill Risley, pitcher for three MLB teams
  • Laura J. Rittenhouse, activist, writer, poet, clubwoman
  • Doc Rivers, NBA point guard 1983-96, head coach of five teams
  • Mike Rizzo, general manager of Washington Nationals
  • Rick Rizzs, baseball broadcaster

Ro–Rt

thumb|225x225px|[[Gina Rodriguez (actress)|Gina Rodriguez]]

thumb|150px|[[Derrick Rose]]

thumb|205x205px|[[Barney Ross]]

thumb|205x205px|[[Charlotte Ross]]

  • Tanner Roark, MLB pitcher 2013–21
  • Jason Robards, Oscar-winning actor, A Thousand Clowns, All the President's Men, Julia, Once Upon a Time in the West, Parenthood, Philadelphia
  • Jason Robards Sr., actor (born in Michigan)
  • Kevin Roberson, MLB outfielder 1993–96
  • Gale Robbins, singer, model and actress, Calamity Jane, The Barkleys of Broadway, Three Little Words
  • Leona Roberts, actress, Gone With the Wind
  • Robin Roberts, Hall of Fame starting pitcher primarily for Philadelphia Phillies, won 286 games
  • Sue Roberts, golfer
  • Nan C. Robertson, journalist, 1983 Pulitzer Prize
  • Angela Robinson, director, screenwriter, producer, True Blood, The L Word, Hung
  • Arthur B. Robinson, biochemist, politician
  • Betty Robinson, sprinter, gold medalist at 1928 and 1936 Olympics
  • Chuckie Robinson, MLB catcher
  • Craig Robinson, actor, comedian, The Office, Last Comic Standing, Hot Tub Time Machine, This Is the End
  • Craig Robinson, basketball coach, brother of Michelle Obama
  • Flynn Robinson, guard for four NBA teams
  • Frank M. Robinson, author
  • John McCracken Robinson, lawyer, U.S. Senator of Illinois 1830–41 (born in Kentucky)
  • Kelsey Robinson, indoor volleyball player
  • Marian Shields Robinson, mother-in-law of President Barack Obama
  • Robin Robinson, Chicago television journalist
  • Will Robinson, basketball coach for Illinois State, first African-American head coach at Division I school (born in North Carolina)
  • Bill Robinzine, DePaul and pro basketball player
  • Lelia P. Roby, philanthropist; founder, Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic
  • Mason Rocca, Princeton and pro basketball player
  • James Roche, CEO and chairman of General Motors 1965–71
  • John A. Roche, president of elevated railway, Mayor of Chicago 1887–89 (born in New York)
  • Elizabeth Rochford, judge, Supreme Court of Illinois
  • Sharon Percy Rockefeller, first lady of West Virginia 1977-85 (born in California)
  • Knute Rockne, College Football Hall of Fame head coach for Notre Dame Fighting Irish (born in Norway)
  • George Lincoln Rockwell, founder of American Nazi Party
  • Robert Rockwell, actor, Our Miss Brooks, The Man from Blackhawk, Lassie, The Red Menace
  • Leo Rodak, boxer
  • Steve Rodby, musician
  • William A. Rodenberg, 10-term U.S. Representative
  • Mark Rodenhauser, NFL center 1987–99
  • Jimmy Rodgers, head coach of Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics
  • Dorothy Howell Rodham, mother of Hillary Clinton
  • Hugh Rodham, lawyer, brother of Hillary Clinton
  • Freddy Rodríguez, actor, Six Feet Under, Ugly Betty, Planet Terror
  • Francisco Rodriguez, boxer (born in Mexico)
  • Gina Rodriguez, actress, Jane the Virgin, The Bold and the Beautiful
  • Richard Roeper, columnist, film critic, co-host of At the Movies
  • Billy Rogell, MLB infielder 1925–40
  • Annette Rogers, sprinter, relay gold medalist, 1932 and 1936 Olympics
  • Carl Rogers, prominent psychologist
  • Desiree Rogers, CEO of Johnson Publishing (born in Louisiana)
  • Jimmy Rogers, blues musician (born in Mississippi)
  • John W. Rogers Jr., founder of Ariel Capital, head of Barack Obama inauguration committee
  • Michael S. Rogers, admiral, director of National Security Agency
  • Patience D. Roggensack, chief justice, Wisconsin Supreme Court 2015–21
  • Len Rohde, lineman for San Francisco 49ers 1960–74
  • Mark Romanek, Grammy-winning music video and film director, One Hour Photo, Never Let Me Go
  • Christina Romer, chair of Council of Economic Advisers under Barack Obama
  • Miles Park Romney, builder, Mormon leader, great-grandfather of Mitt Romney
  • Tony Romo, quarterback, Eastern Illinois and Dallas Cowboys (born in California)
  • Michael Rooker, actor, Cliffhanger, Days of Thunder, Guardians of the Galaxy (born in Alabama)
  • John E. Rooney, CEO of U.S. Cellular 2000–10
  • Sean Rooney, volleyball player, NCAA champion at Pepperdine, gold medalist at 2008 Beijing Olympics
  • John Root, architect
  • Adam Rosales, MLB infielder 2008–18
  • Allison Rosati, Chicago television journalist (born in Delaware)
  • Derrick Rose, guard for New York Knicks, top pick of 2008 NBA draft, 2008–09 NBA Rookie of the Year
  • Fred Rose, songwriter, Country Music Hall of Fame (born in Indiana)
  • Helen Rose, Oscar-winning costume designer
  • Roger Rose, actor, voice actor, former VH1 VJ, Monsters and Mysteries in America, The Tick, Quack Pack, Happy Feet
  • Timothy M. Rose, actor, puppeteer, Return of the Jedi, The Dark Crystal
  • Wesley Rose, music producer
  • Johnny Roselli, organized crime figure (born in Italy)
  • Jacky Rosen, U.S. Senator from Nevada
  • Clarke Rosenberg, American-Israeli basketball player
  • Milt Rosenberg, professor, radio host
  • Tom Rosenberg, film producer, Million Dollar Baby, The Hurricane, Runaway Bride, Underworld series
  • Frank Rosenthal, organized crime figure
  • Julius Rosenwald, philanthropist, president of Sears, Roebuck & Company, founder of Museum of Science and Industry
  • Lessing J. Rosenwald, president of Sears
  • Peter Roskam, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative 2007–19
  • Arthur Ross, Oscar-nominated screenwriter, Brubaker, The Great Race
  • Barney Ross, boxing world champion (born in New York)
  • Charlotte Ross, actress, NYPD Blue, Beggars and Choosers
  • Leonard Fulton Ross, Civil War general
  • Lewis Winans Ross, lawyer, Mexican–American War officer, U.S. Representative (born in New York)
  • Ossian M. Ross, farmer, War of 1812 officer, founder of Lewistown and Havana (born in New York)
  • Ricco Ross, actor, Westbeach
  • Dan Rostenkowski, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative 1959–95, chairman of House Ways and Means Committee
  • Marv Rotblatt, pitcher for Chicago White Sox 1949–52
  • Matt Roth, NFL defensive end 2005–11
  • Veronica Roth, author of Divergent series (born in New York)
  • Claude Rothgeb, football coach for Colorado State, Rice
  • Larry Rothschild, MLB manager and pitching coach
  • John L. Rotz, Hall of Fame jockey
  • Tom Rouen, punter for six NFL teams
  • Pants Rowland, manager of Chicago White Sox 1915–18 (born in Wisconsin)
  • Pleasant Rowland, founder of American Girl
  • Cynthia Rowley, fashion designer
  • Rosey Rowswell, baseball broadcaster
  • Bill Roy, U.S. Representative in Kansas 1971–75
  • Willy Roy, player and coach, Soccer Hall of Fame (born in Germany)
  • Stan Royer, infielder for St. Louis Cardinals 1961–64
  • Mike Royko, Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper columnist
  • Andrew Rozdilsky Jr., ballpark mascot Andy the Clown

Ru–Rz

thumb|161x161px|[[Gail Russell]]

  • Aaron Ruben, television producer and director, The Andy Griffith Show
  • Arthur Rubloff, real estate developer (born in Minnesota)
  • Jack Ruby, killer of Lee Harvey Oswald
  • J. Craig Ruby, basketball coach, Illinois 1922–36 (born in Iowa)
  • Dave Rudabaugh, Wild West outlaw
  • Ken Rudolph, catcher for four MLB teams
  • Kirk Rueter, pitcher for San Francisco Giants 1996–2005
  • Rudy Ruettiger, motivational speaker, Notre Dame football player, Rudy
  • Red Ruffing, Hall of Fame pitcher, six-time World Series champion with New York Yankees
  • Sarah Ruhl, playwright
  • Irene Ruhnke, pro baseball player
  • Joe Ruklick, Northwestern and NBA player
  • Julian Sidney Rumsey, shipping mogul, Mayor of Chicago 1861–62 (born in New York)
  • Donald Rumsfeld, politician (Republican), Secretary of Defense, White House Chief of Staff, U.S. Representative
  • Bobby Rush, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative 1993–2023
  • Otis Rush, blues musician (born in Mississippi)
  • William A. Rusher, lawyer, columnist, publisher of National Review 1957-88
  • Marion Rushing, four-sport athlete for Southern Illinois, NFL linebacker
  • Cazzie Russell, member of College Basketball Hall of Fame, player for 1970 NBA champion New York Knicks
  • Chuck Russell, director, The Mask, Eraser
  • Gail Russell, actress, The Uninvited, Angel and the Badman, Wake of the Red Witch
  • Lewis Russell, actor, The Lost Weekend
  • Lillian Russell, early 20th Century singer and actress (born in Iowa)
  • Mary Doria Russell, novelist
  • Pee Wee Russell, jazz clarinetist
  • Marty Russo, U.S. Representative 1975–93
  • William Russo, jazz musician and composer
  • Edward B. Rust Jr., CEO of State Farm insurance
  • Joe Rutgens, defensive tackle for Washington Redskins 1961–69
  • Ann Rutledge, friend of Abraham Lincoln (born in Kentucky)
  • Dan Ryan Jr., businessman, president of Cook County Board of Commissioners
  • George Ryan, politician (Republican), Governor of Illinois 1999–2003, imprisoned 2007
  • Howard C. Ryan, judge, Supreme Court of Illinois 1970-90
  • Jack Ryan, banker, teacher, Senate candidate vs. Barack Obama
  • Jeri Ryan, actress, Star Trek: Voyager, Boston Public, 1989 Miss Illinois
  • Jim Ryan, Illinois attorney general 1995–2003
  • Rex Ryan, head coach for NFL's New York Jets, Buffalo Bills
  • Rob Ryan, defensive coordinator for two-time Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs
  • Robert Ryan, actor, The Wild Bunch, The Dirty Dozen, The Set-Up, Crossfire, Bad Day at Black Rock, The Longest Day
  • Shawn Ryan, television producer and writer, The Shield, The Unit, Angel
  • Gary Rydstrom, film sound designer, seven-time Academy Award winner
  • Frank Rydzewski, pro and Notre Dame lineman
  • Michael Rye, radio and voice actor
  • Jules Rykovich, co-MVP of 1947 Rose Bowl for Illinois (born in Croatia)
  • Bob Ryland, tennis player and coach
  • Herbert Ryman, animator, helped design Disneyland
  • Lou Rymkus, NFL tackle, coach for Houston Oilers
  • Miro Rys, professional soccer player (born in Czechoslovakia)
  • Marc Rzepczynski, MLB relief pitcher 2009–18

S

Sa–Sb

thumb|200x200px|[[Carl Sandburg]]

thumb|200x200px|[[Fred Savage]]

  • Lou Saban, head coach of NFL's Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos and New England Patriots
  • Adolph J. Sabath, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative 1907–52 (born in Czechoslovakia)
  • Bret Saberhagen, pitcher for Kansas City Royals, 1985 Cy Young winner and World Series MVP
  • Robert Sabonjian, six-term mayor of Waukegan
  • Lenny Sachs, head coach of Loyola basketball 1923–42
  • Jonathan Sadowski, actor, Live Free or Die Hard, Young & Hungry
  • Connor Sadzeck, MLB pitcher
  • Craig Sager, sportscaster
  • Bernard Sahlins, founder of Second City comedy club
  • Susan Saint James, Emmy-winning actress, McMillan & Wife, Kate & Allie, Love at First Bite (born in California)
  • Pat Sajak, television personality, host of Wheel of Fortune
  • Sol Saks, screenwriter, creator of Bewitched (botn in New York)
  • Sheri Salata, president of Oprah Winfrey Network (born in Georgia)
  • Chic Sale, actor
  • Virginia Sale, actress
  • Edward S. Salomon, Civil War general, Chicago alderman, Governor of Washington 1870–72 (born in Denmark)
  • Jerome Sally, NFL tackle 1982–88
  • Waldo Salt, Oscar-winning screenwriter, Midnight Cowboy, Serpico
  • Carmen Salvino, bowler, charter member PBA Hall of Fame
  • Jeff Salzenstein, tennis player
  • Tony Sam, comedian
  • Bill Sampen, MLB pitcher 1990–94
  • Dave Samuels, musician, Spyro Gyra
  • Don Samuelson, Governor of Idaho 1967–71
  • Ulises Armand Sanabria, television pioneer
  • Kiele Sanchez, actress, Married to the Kellys, Related, Lost
  • Ryne Sandberg, Hall of Fame infielder for Cubs, manager of Philadelphia Phillies 2013–15 (born in Washington)
  • Carl Sandburg, iconic Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and journalist
  • Hugh Sanders, actor
  • Scott Sanderson, MLB pitcher 1978–96 (born in Michigan)
  • Tommy Sands, singer, actor, first husband of Nancy Sinatra
  • Jenny Sanford, banker, first lady of South Carolina 2003–10
  • George E. Sangmeister, U.S. Representative 1989-95, Will County district attorney
  • Evelyn Sanguinetti, lieutenant governor 2015–19 (born in Florida)
  • Olayinka Sanni, pro basketball player
  • David Santee, figure skater, two-time Olympian
  • Rick Santelli, editor for CNBC Business News network
  • Andrew Santino, comedian, actor, I'm Dying Up Here
  • Ron Santo, Hall of Fame third baseman for Cubs and White Sox, radio sportscaster (born in Washington)
  • Horatio Sanz, comedian, Saturday Night Live
  • Abe Saperstein, owner-coach, Harlem Globetrotters (born in England)
  • Lewis Hastings Sarett, chemist and inventor
  • Peter Sarsgaard, actor, An Education, Shattered Glass, Kinsey, Orphan, Blue Jasmine, The Batman
  • Louis Satterfield, musician with Earth, Wind & Fire
  • Doris E. Saunders, librarian and professor
  • Red Saunders, drummer (born in Tennessee)
  • Warner Saunders, Chicago television newscaster
  • Dan Savage, writer, creator of Savage Love
  • Fred Savage, actor, director, The Wonder Years, The Princess Bride, Austin Powers in Goldmember
  • Randy Savage, professional wrestler
  • Ted Savage, outfielder for eight MLB teams
  • Matt Savoie, Olympic figure skater
  • Eugene Sawyer, Mayor of Chicago 1987–89 (born in Alabama)
  • Ken Saydak, blues musician
  • Gale Sayers, Hall of Fame running back for Chicago Bears, athletic director at SIU in 1970s (born in Kansas)
  • Morgan Saylor, actress, Homeland, Blow the Man Down, Novitiate
  • George D. Sax, innovative banker

Sc–Sg

thumb|200x200px|[[Jon Scheyer]]

  • Joseph Scalise, organized crime figure
  • J. Young Scammon, early Chicago settler, banker (born in Maine)
  • Richard Schaal, actor, first husband of Valerie Harper
  • Wendy Schaal, actress, American Dad!, It's a Living, Fantasy Island
  • George Schaefer, Emmy and Tony Award-winning director (born in Connecticut)
  • Germany Schaefer, MLB infielder 1901–18
  • Johnny Schaive, infielder for Washington Senators 1958–63
  • Jan Schakowsky, politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative since 1999
  • Ray Schalk, Hall of Fame catcher for Chicago White Sox
  • Andrew H. Schapiro, ambassador to Czech Republic 2014–17
  • Dan Schatzeder, pitcher for nine MLB teams
  • Molly Schaus, two-time Olympic hockey silver medalist (born in New Jersey)
  • Paul Scheuring, writer-director, Prison Break
  • Sharm Scheuerman, basketball player and head coach, Iowa
  • Jon Scheyer, basketball player and head coach, Duke
  • Claire Schillace, pro baseball player
  • Bobby Schilling, U.S. Representative 2011–13
  • Phyllis Schlafly, conservative activist, author
  • Brian Schlitter, pro baseball pitcher
  • Fred Schmidt, 1964 Olympic swimming gold medalist
  • Harv Schmidt, basketball player and coach at Illinois
  • Karl Patterson Schmidt, herpetologist, zoology curator at Chicago Natural History Museum
  • Lanny D. Schmidt, chemist, inventor, author, professor
  • John Michael Schmitz, pro football center
  • Aaron Schock, U.S. Representative, resigned from office 2015 (born in Minnesota)
  • Red Schoendienst, Hall of Fame second baseman for St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Braves
  • Russ Schoene, pro basketball player
  • Dana Schoenfield, swimmer, 1972 Olympic silver medalist
  • Admiral Schofield, small forward for Washington Wizards (born in England)
  • Dick Schofield, MLB infielder for California Angels and Toronto Blue Jays
  • Ducky Schofield, MLB infielder 1953-71, member of 1960 World Series champion Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Michael Schofield, NFL lineman for Super Bowl 50 champion Denver Broncos
  • O'Brien Schofield, NFL linebacker for Super Bowl XLVIII champion Seattle Seahawks (born in South Carolina)
  • John Schommer, basketball Hall of Famer, University of Chicago
  • Jessy Schram, actress, Falling Skies, Chicago Med
  • Avery Schreiber, actor and comedian
  • Dorothy Schroeder, pro baseball player
  • Leonard W. Schuetz, U.S. Representative 1931–44 (born in Germany)
  • Fred Schulte, MLB outfielder 1927–37
  • Bill Schulz, panelist, producer, Fox's Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld
  • Don Schulze, MLB pitcher 1983–89
  • Arthur Schultz, five-term mayor of Joliet
  • Joe Schultz, MLB player and manager
  • William Schutz, psychologist
  • Fred Schmidt, swimmer, gold and bronze medalist in 1964 Summer Olympics, Navy SEAL
  • Tony Schumacher, drag racer, seven-time NHRA champ
  • Joseph Schwantner, composer
  • Jim Schwantz, NFL linebacker 1992–98, mayor of Palatine
  • Ed Schwartz, radio personality
  • Frederick Schwatka, U.S. Army lieutenant, noted explorer of northern Canada and Alaska
  • Emma Clara Schweer, oldest elected politician
  • Gloria Schweigerdt, professional baseball player
  • Gerald Schweighart, police officer, Champaign mayor 1999–2011
  • Rusty Schwimmer, actress, Twister, The Perfect Storm
  • Ignaz Schwinn, founder of bicycle company (born in Germany)
  • John T. Scopes, teacher, defendant in Scopes trial (born in Kentucky)
  • Thomas N. Scortia, novel adapted as The Towering Inferno
  • Bud Scott, jazz musician (born in Louisiana)
  • Mark Scott, actor, host of TV's Home Run Derby
  • Rick Scott, politician (Republican), Governor of Florida 2011–19, U.S. Senator
  • Stefanie Scott, actress, singer, A.N.T. Farm, Wreck-It Ralph
  • Stuart Scott, ESPN sportscaster
  • Walter Dill Scott, psychologist, president of Northwestern 1920–39
  • Gil Scott-Heron, jazz musician, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Nancy Scranton, golfer
  • Edward Willis Scripps, newspaper publisher, founder of E.W. Scripps Company
  • Ellen Browning Scripps, journalist and philanthropist (born in England)
  • James E. Scripps, newspaper publisher (born in England)
  • Al Sears, saxophonist
  • Richard Warren Sears, businessman, co-founder of Sears, Roebuck and Company (born in Minnesota)
  • Amy Sedaris, actress and comedian, Strangers with Candy, At Home with Amy Sedaris, BoJack Horseman
  • Cody Sedlock, baseball player, 2016 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year
  • E.C. Segar, creator of Popeye
  • Phil Seghi, general manager of Cleveland Indians 1973-85
  • Harry Gordon Selfridge, department store pioneer, founder of Selfridges (born in Wisconsin)
  • Rose Buckingham Selfridge, Chicago heiress
  • Kevin Seitzer, All-Star third baseman, Atlanta Braves hitting coach
  • William Nicholas Selig, motion picture pioneer
  • David Seltzer, director and screenwriter, Punchline, Shining Through, Bird on a Wire, The Omen
  • James Semple, U.S. Senator 1843–47 (born in Kentucky)
  • Tony Semple, NFL lineman 1994–2002
  • Bill Senn, NFL running back 1926–34
  • Danny Seraphine, drummer, Chicago
  • Mary Servoss, actress, In This Our Life
  • Ike Sewell, pioneer in Chicago-style pizza (born in Texas)
  • Mary Foot Seymour, law reporter, businesswoman, school founder, journalist

Sh

thumb|225x225px|[[Kiernan Shipka]]

  • Shabbona, 19th Century Native American leader
  • Shadows of Knight, rock band from Mt. Prospect
  • Dirk Shafer, actor and Playgirl model
  • Tom Shales, Pulitzer Prize-winning TV critic
  • John Shalikashvili, U.S. Army general, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff 1993-97 (born in Poland)
  • Ashton C. Shallenberger, Governor of Nebraska 1909–11, six-term U.S. Representative
  • Janet Shamlian, news correspondent for CBS and NBC
  • Mike Shanahan, head coach of NFL's Los Angeles Raiders, Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins
  • Garry Shandling, comedian and actor, The Larry Sanders Show
  • Howie Shanks, MLB outfielder 1912–25
  • Michael Shannon, actor, Boardwalk Empire, Take Shelter, Revolutionary Road, Man of Steel (born in Kentucky)
  • Terrence Shannon Jr., basketball player, Illinois
  • Daniel B. Shapiro, U.S. Ambassador to Israel 2011–17
  • Mark Shapiro, executive with Endeavor talent agency, Six Flags, ESPN
  • Samuel H. Shapiro, lieutenant governor and 1968–69 Governor of Illinois
  • Shannon Sharpe, NFL tight end 1990–2003, three-time Super Bowl champion, Pro Football Hall of Fame, TV analyst
  • Sterling Sharpe, wide receiver, College Football Hall of Fame, Green Bay Packers 1988–94, TV analyst
  • Frank Shaughnessy, college football player and coach, pro baseball player and executive
  • Bernard Shaw, television journalist for CNN
  • Guy L. Shaw, U.S. Representative 1921–25
  • Howard Van Doren Shaw, architect
  • Stan Shaw, actor, The Boys in Company C, The Great Santini, Daylight, Snake Eyes, Harlem Nights
  • William Shawn, editor of The New Yorker from 1952 to 1987
  • Larry Shay, songwriter, "When You're Smiling"
  • John T. Shayne, milliner
  • Aaron Shea, NFL tight end 2000–06
  • John G. Shedd, president of Marshall Field & Company, philanthropist, founder of Shedd Aquarium (born in New Hampshire)
  • Vincent Sheean, war correspondent and author
  • Arthur Sheekman, screenwriter, Duck Soup, Some Came Running
  • Earl Sheely, 1920s first baseman for White Sox
  • Fulton J. Sheen, Roman Catholic Archbishop and television personality
  • Bernard J. Sheil, Roman Catholic Archbishop, founder of CYO
  • Edward Sheldon, playwright
  • Sidney Sheldon, author, Oscar-winning screenwriter, producer, I Dream of Jeannie, Hart to Hart, Annie Get Your Gun, The Other Side of Midnight
  • Derek Shelton, manager of Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Sam Shepard, actor, director, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Fool for Love, The Right Stuff, The Pelican Brief, Baby Boom, The Notebook
  • Jean Shepherd, radio personality, writer and narrator of A Christmas Story
  • Sherri Shepherd, comedian, actress, co-host of The View
  • Trent Sherfield, NFL wide receiver
  • Jack Sheridan, MLB umpire 1890–1914
  • Philip Sheridan, Civil War general, led Great Chicago Fire reconstruction, ran Washington Park Race Track (born in New York)
  • Allan Sherman, comedy writer, song parodist
  • Alson Sherman, fire chief, Mayor of Chicago 1844–45 (born in Vermont)
  • Francis Cornwall Sherman, three-term Mayor of Chicago (born in Connecticut)
  • Francis Trowbridge Sherman, Civil War general (born in Connecticut)
  • Gene Sherman, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
  • Lawrence Yates Sherman, lieutenant governor, U.S. Senator 1913–21 (born in Ohio)
  • Brian Sherwin, art critic, curator, writer
  • Brad Sherwood, comedian, Whose Line Is It Anyway?
  • James Shields, Irish-born senator of Illinois, Minnesota and Missouri
  • Ren Shields, songwriter, "In the Good Old Summer Time"
  • Matthew Shiltz, quarterback in CFL
  • John Shimkus, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative 1997–2021
  • Katherine Shindle, actress and 1998 Miss America
  • Kiernan Shipka, actress, Sally Draper on Mad Men
  • George E. Shipley, U.S. Representative 1959–79
  • William L. Shirer, war correspondent, historian
  • Bernie Shively, All-American guard for Illinois, 1938-67 athletic director at Kentucky
  • Twila Shively, pro baseball player
  • William Shockley, Nobel Prize-winning physicist, co-inventor of the transistor
  • Vaughn Shoemaker, Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist
  • Lee Sholem, film director, The Redhead from Wyoming, Tarzan and the Slave Girl, Superman and the Mole Men
  • Bobby Short, cabaret singer, pianist and recording artist
  • Ed Short, executive with Chicago White Sox 1950–70
  • Luke Short, novelist
  • Rick Short, MLB player and scout
  • Gwynne Shotwell, president of SpaceX
  • Brian Shouse, MLB pitcher 1993–2009
  • Bobby Shriver, activist, writer and California politician
  • Maria Shriver, television journalist, author, 2003–11 first lady of California
  • David Shulkin, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs
  • Richard B. Shull, actor, The Fortune, Unfaithfully Yours
  • George P. Shultz, U.S. Secretary of Labor 1969–70, Treasury 1972–74, Secretary of State 1982–89, Chicago professor (born in New York)
  • Iman Shumpert, NBA guard 2011–21
  • John Shurna, Northwestern basketball all-time leading scorer

Si–Sk

thumb|196x196px|[[Gary Sinise]]

  • Billy Sianis, founder of Billy Goat Tavern (born in Greece)
  • Drew Sidora, actress, That's So Raven
  • Thomas Siebel, technology executive, philanthropist
  • Don Siegel, film director, Dirty Harry, Charley Varrick, The Shootist, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Coogan's Bluff
  • Jeremy Siegel, professor of finance at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
  • Casey Siemaszko, actor, Breaking In, Of Mice and Men, NYPD Blue, Back to the Future parts 1 and 2
  • Nina Siemaszko, actress, The West Wing, The American President, License to Drive, Sinatra, Mystery Woman
  • Eric Sievers, tight end for San Diego Chargers 1981–90
  • Jack Sikma, Hall of Fame center for 1979 NBA champion Seattle SuperSonics
  • David Sills, judge, son-in-law of Ronald Reagan
  • Paul Sills, original director of The Second City
  • Joe Silver, actor, You Light Up My Life, Deathtrap
  • Nate Silver, quarterback of first Notre Dame undefeated team, 1903
  • Shel Silverstein, cartoonist, screenwriter, author of children's books
  • Ken Silvestri, MLB catcher and coach
  • Bobby Simmons, guard for five NBA teams
  • Jade Simmons, concert pianist, 2000 Miss America runner-up
  • Liesel Pritzker Simmons, actress, heiress
  • Marty Simmons, basketball coach, Evansville, Eastern Illinois
  • Tony Simmons, NFL wide receiver 1998–2002
  • Bryan W. Simon, film and stage director
  • Paul Simon, politician (Democrat), U.S. Senator 1985–97, presidential candidate (born in Oregon)
  • Roger Simon, journalist, columnist for Politico
  • Scott Simon, program host for National Public Radio
  • Sheila Simon, law professor, 2011–15 lieutenant governor
  • S. Sylvan Simon, film director and producer, I Love Trouble, The Fuller Brush Man, Born Yesterday
  • Carole Simpson, radio and TV journalist
  • Diane Simpson-Bundy, two-time Olympian in rhythmic gymnastics
  • Edna Oakes Simpson, U.S. Representative 1959–61, widow of Sid Simpson
  • Sid Simpson, transportation executive, U.S. Representative 1943–58
  • Will Simpson, Olympic gold medalist in equestrian
  • Mike Singletary, Hall of Fame linebacker for Chicago Bears (born in Texas)
  • James Singleton, pro basketball player
  • Gary Sinise, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor, director, musician, CSI: NY, Forrest Gump, Apollo 13
  • Charlie Siringo, Chicago-based Pinkerton's detective (born in Texas)
  • Bob Sirott, radio and TV personality
  • Joseph J. Sisco, CIA officer and diplomat
  • Gene Siskel, film critic for Chicago Tribune, co-host of Siskel & Ebert
  • Sister Jean, chaplain and basketball personality at Loyola
  • George Skakel, industrialist, father of Ethel Kennedy
  • William V. Skall, Oscar-winning cinematographer
  • Bob Skelton, swimmer, 1924 Olympic gold medalist
  • Matt Skiba, musician, Blink-182
  • Roe Skidmore, 1-for-1 for Cubs in lone MLB at-bat
  • Jeffrey Skilling, former president of Enron, convicted of multiple federal felony charges
  • Tom Skilling, meteorologist for WGN News
  • Cornelia Otis Skinner, actress and author
  • Frank Skinner, Oscar-nominated composer
  • Jane Skinner, TV journalist, wife of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell
  • Samuel K. Skinner, U.S. Secretary of Transportation and White House Chief of Staff for President George H. W. Bush
  • Lou Skizas, MLB outfielder 1956–59
  • Peter Skoronski, offensive lineman for Northwestern, 11th pick of 2023 NFL draft
  • Tony Skoronski, jockey
  • Bill "Moose" Skowron, MLB first baseman, five World Series championships with New York Yankees
  • Victor Skrebneski, photographer

Sl–Sn

thumb|200x200px|[[Brian Snitker]]

  • Jack Slade, gunfighter, Pony Express rider
  • Duke Slater, NFL tackle and College Football Hall of Famer
  • John Slater, physicist
  • James M. Slattery, U.S. Senate appointee
  • Chris Slayton, NFL defensive end
  • Martha Sleeper, actress, Spitfire, The Bells of St. Mary's
  • Grace Slick, lead singer of Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, composer of "White Rabbit"
  • Blake Sloan, NHL winger 1999–2004
  • Jerry Sloan, NBA All-Star player and coach for Chicago Bulls, coach of Utah Jazz, member of Hall of Fame
  • Gabriel Slonina, pro soccer goalkeeper
  • Jeff Sluman, pro golfer (born in New York)
  • Albion W. Small, sociologist and university professor (born in Maine)
  • Len Small, state treasurer and 1921–29 Governor of Illinois
  • Mike Small, pro golfer and coach
  • The Smashing Pumpkins, rock band from Chicago
  • Anne Smedinghoff, diplomat killed in Afghanistan
  • Ralph C. Smedley, founder of Toastmasters International
  • Jack Smiley, basketball player for Illinois
  • Adrian Smith, architect of Chicago's Trump Tower and Dubai's Burj Khalifa (world's tallest building)
  • Al Smith, basketball player in ABA 1971–75
  • Al Smith, MLB pitcher 1934–45
  • Art Smith, actor, In a Lonely Place, Ride the Pink Horse, Body and Soul
  • Eleanor Sophia Smith, composer, educator
  • Frank L. Smith, U.S. Representative 1919–21
  • Giles Alexander Smith, Civil War general, politician (born in New York)
  • H. Allen Smith, journalist and humorist, Rhubarb
  • Hal Smith, MLB catcher 1955-64, played for 1960 World Series champion Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Hamilton O. Smith, microbiologist, 1978 Nobel Prize (born in New York)
  • Harry Smith, television news journalist
  • Henry Justin Smith, editor of Chicago Daily News
  • Jack Smith, MLB outfielder 1915–29
  • Jim Smith, wide receiver, won two Super Bowls with Pittsburgh Steelers
  • John C. Smith, Civil War general, politician (born in Pennsylvania)
  • John E. Smith, Civil War general, jeweler (born in Switzerland)
  • Joseph Smith, founder of Latter Day Saint movement (born in Vermont)
  • Kellita Smith, actress and model, The Bernie Mac Show
  • Lenzelle Smith Jr., player in Israel Basketball Premier League
  • Lonnie Smith, MLB outfielder, three-time World Series champion
  • Lovie Smith, head coach of Chicago Bears 2004–12, Illinois 2016–20 (born in Texas)
  • Lyall Smith, sports editor and executive
  • Patti Smith, singer, songwriter and poet, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • Pinetop Smith, jazz pianist (born in Alabama)
  • Ralph Tyler Smith, completed U.S. Senate term of Everett Dirksen
  • Ron Smith, defensive back for five NFL teams
  • Sally Smith, mayor of Juneau, Alaska 2000–03
  • Sandra Smith, reporter for Fox Business Network
  • Sidney Smith, cartoonist
  • Tangela Smith, WNBA player 1998–2012, 2007 and 2009 champion
  • Theophilus W. Smith, law partner of Aaron Burr, impeached Illinois Supreme Court justice (born in New York)
  • Wendell Smith, sportswriter (born in Michigan)
  • Olivia Smoliga, swimmer, NCAA champion and Olympic gold medalist
  • Jake Smolinski, outfielder for Oakland A's
  • Henry Snapp, U.S. Representative 1871–73 (born in New York)
  • Howard M. Snapp, U.S. Representative 1903–11 (born in New York)
  • Phoebe Snetsinger, bird watcher
  • Brian Snitker, manager for Atlanta Braves, won 2021 World Series
  • Carrie Snodgress, Oscar-nominated actress, Diary of a Mad Housewife, The Fury, Murphy's Law, Pale Rider
  • Esther Snyder, co-founder of In-N-Out Burger
  • Franklyn Bliss Snyder, president of Northwestern University 1939-49
  • Jimmy Snyder, auto racer, runner-up in 1939 Indianapolis 500
  • Martin Snyder, gangster, husband of Ruth Etting
  • Ted Snyder, songwriter, "Who's Sorry Now?"

So–Ss

thumb|196x196px|[[Jonathan Spector]]

  • Carol Sobieski, screenwriter, Annie, Fried Green Tomatoes, Casey's Shadow, Sarah, Plain and Tall
  • Ron Sobie, basketball player for DePaul, New York Knicks
  • Nick Solak, pro baseball player
  • Susan Solomon, chemist, MIT professor, Nobel Prize winner
  • Joey Soloway, TV and film writer, director
  • Georg Solti, conductor of Chicago Symphony Orchestra 1969–91 (born in Hungary)
  • Rafael Sorkin, physicist
  • Sammy Sosa, outfielder for White Sox and Cubs from 1989 to 2004 (born in Dominican Republic)
  • Elliot Soto, pro baseball infielder
  • David Soul, actor, Starsky and Hutch, Here Come the Brides, The Yellow Rose; singer, "Don't Give Up on Us"
  • Olan Soule, actor
  • Soulja Boy, rapper
  • Eddie South, jazz violinist (born in Missouri)
  • Pete Souza, official White House photographer for Presidents Reagan and Obama (born in Massachusetts)
  • Judy Sowinski, skater in Roller Derby
  • Brock Spack, football coach, Illinois State
  • Vince Spadea, tennis player
  • Horatio Spafford, lawyer, hymn composer (born in New York)
  • Sarah Spain, sports journalist (born in Ohio)
  • Albert Spalding, athlete, co-founder of Spalding sporting goods
  • John Spalding, Roman Catholic Bishop and co-founder of The Catholic University of America
  • William A.J. Sparks, U.S. Representative 1875–83 (born in Indiana)
  • Graham Spanier, president of Penn State University 1995–2011 (born in South Africa)
  • Muggsy Spanier, jazz musician
  • Otis Spann, pianist in Blues Hall of Fame (born in Mississippi)
  • Garret Sparks, pro hockey goaltender
  • Jeff Speakman, martial artist, actor, The Perfect Weapon
  • Richard Speck, mass murderer
  • Dave Spector, Japan television personality
  • Jonathan Spector, soccer player for Birmingham City F.C.
  • Mac Speedie, wide receiver for Cleveland Browns 1946–52, head coach for Denver Broncos 1964–66
  • Donald Spero, physicist, Olympic rower
  • Lawrence Sperry, aviation pioneer
  • August Spies, convicted anarchist of Haymarket affair (born in Germany)
  • Ed Spiezio, infielder for St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres
  • Scott Spiezio, infielder for four Major League teams; 2002, 2006 World Series champion
  • Anthony Spilotro, mobster and enforcer for Chicago Outfit
  • Alfred Henry Spink, founder of The Sporting News (born in Canada)
  • Scipio Spinks, MLB pitcher 1969–73
  • Jim Spivey, middle-distance runner, three-time Olympian
  • Paul Splittorff, pitcher for Kansas City Royals 1970–84 (born in Indiana)
  • Erik Spoelstra, head coach for two-time NBA champion Miami Heat
  • Viola Spolin, drama and improv teacher
  • George Kirke Spoor, film industry pioneer
  • Jerry Springer, Chicago-based TV personality (born in England)
  • William L. Springer, U.S. Representative 1951–73
  • William M. Springer, U.S. Representative 1875–95 (born in Indiana)
  • Ed Sprinkle, Hall of Fame end for Chicago Bears (born in Texas)
  • June Squibb, Oscar-nominated actress, Nebraska, About Schmidt

Sta–Std

  • Dewayne Staats, sportscaster (born in Missouri)
  • Brian Stack, comedy writer
  • Eddie Stack, MLB pitcher 1910–14
  • Jim Stack, NBA executive, two-time Northwestern MVP
  • Marv Staehle, infielder for Chicago White Sox 1964–67
  • Jimmy Stafford, lead guitarist for Train
  • Michelle Stafford, actress, The Young and the Restless
  • Amos Alonzo Stagg, College Hall of Fame football coach and athlete, creator of the lateral pass and helmet
  • Amos Alonzo Stagg Jr., college football player and coach
  • Paul Stagg, college football player and coach
  • Jake Stahl, MLB player and manager, 1912 World Series
  • Larry Stahl, outfielder for four MLB teams
  • Michael Stahl-David, actor, The Black Donnellys, Cloverfield
  • A.E. Staley, food mogul, founder of football's Decatur Staleys (who became Chicago Bears)
  • Harry Staley, MLB pitcher 1888–95
  • Kevin Stallings, basketball coach, Illinois State, Vanderbilt
  • Dino Stamatopoulos, comedy writer, actor, producer
  • Lee Stange, pitcher for four MLB teams
  • Don Stanhouse, pitcher for four MLB teams
  • Pete Stanicek, MLB player
  • Steve Stanicek, MLB player
  • Aileen Stanley, early 20th Century singer
  • Dolph Stanley, basketball coach
  • Florence Stanley, actress, Fiddler on the Roof, Fish
  • Louise Stanley, actress, Sky Bandits, Yukon Flight
  • Walter Stanley, NFL wide receiver
  • The Staple Singers, gospel group, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Mavis Staples, gospel singer, 2017 Blues Hall of Fame inductee
  • Tim Stapleton, NHL center 2008–12
  • Ellen Gates Starr, social reformer and co-founder of Hull House
  • Helen Ekin Starrett, president, Illinois Woman's Press Association
  • Vincent Starrett, early 20th Century journalist
  • Todd Stashwick, actor, The Riches
  • Harry Statham, college basketball coach
  • Jigger Statz, MLB outfielder 1919–28

Ste–Stn

  • Jack Steadman, president, general manager of NFL's Kansas City Chiefs 1960-89
  • Steamboat Willie, Dixieland jazz musician
  • Myrtle Stedman, singer and actress
  • Claude Steele, provost at Columbia, University of California
  • Dan Steele, two-time Olympian in bobsled, NCAA champion hurdler
  • Shelby Steele, columnist, documentary filmmaker, author of White Guilt
  • Miriam Steever, pro tennis player
  • Walter Steffen, All-American quarterback, University of Chicago
  • Cindy Stein, women's basketball coach, Missouri and Southern Illinois
  • James R. Stein, TV writer and producer, America 2-Night, Fernwood 2 Night, Son of the Beach
  • Jill Stein, physician, activist, Green Party politician
  • Eric Steinbach, NFL offensive lineman 2003–12
  • Jack Steinberger, physicist, Nobel Prize winner
  • Ruth Ann Steinhagen, shot ballplayer Eddie Waitkus, inspired The Natural
  • John Henry Stelle, lieutenant governor 1937–40, briefly Governor of Illinois
  • Rick Stelmaszek, catcher and bullpen coach for Minnesota Twins
  • Marilee Stepan, swimmer, 1952 Olympic bronze medalist
  • Donald Stephens, 13-term mayor of Rosemont
  • Michael Stephens, pro soccer player
  • Benjamin Stephenson, militia commander, writer of state constitution (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Donald Sterling, owned Los Angeles Clippers 1981–2014
  • John Allen Sterling, U.S. Representative 1903–18
  • Thomas Sterling, Springfield attorney, U.S. Senator of South Dakota 1913–25 (born in Ohio)
  • Lee Stern, six-decade member of Chicago Board of Trade, founder-president of Chicago Sting pro soccer
  • Dutch Sternaman, football player, co-owner of Decatur Staleys (who became Chicago Bears)
  • Joey Sternaman, 1920s pro football quarterback
  • Dodie Stevens, singer, "Pink Shoe Laces"
  • Fisher Stevens, actor, producer, director, Early Edition, Short Circuit, Stand Up Guys, Succession
  • John Paul Stevens, attorney, Supreme Court Justice 1975–2010, third-longest tenure in court's history
  • Adlai Stevenson I, Illinois congressman, U.S. postmaster general, 23rd Vice President of the United States 1893–97 (born in Kentucky)
  • Adlai Stevenson II, attorney, politician (Democrat) Governor of Illinois, Ambassador to the United Nations, presidential candidate in 1952 and 1956 (born in California)
  • Adlai Stevenson III, politician (Democrat), congressman and U.S. Senator from Illinois 1970–81
  • Lewis Stevenson, Illinois secretary of state 1914–17, father of Adlai Stevenson II
  • McLean Stevenson, actor, M*A*S*H, Hello, Larry
  • William Stevenson, Olympic gold medalist, college president, ambassador
  • Brock Stewart, MLB pitcher
  • Helen J. Stewart, pioneer, postmaster of Las Vegas
  • Jacqueline Stewart, professor, Turner Classic Movies personality
  • James B. Stewart, journalist, 1988 Pulitzer Prize
  • Lynn D. Stewart, lineman for Illinois in 1964 Rose Bowl, co-founder of Hooters restaurants
  • Gabrella Townley Stickney (1850–1942), compositor, postmaster, and temperance advocate
  • David Ogden Stiers, actor, orchestral conductor; M*A*S*H, The Dead Zone, Doc Hollywood, Better Off Dead
  • Isaiah Stillman, militia commander, Black Hawk War (born in Massachusetts)
  • Darryl Stingley, NFL receiver, left quadriplegic by injury
  • Howard St. John, actor, Born Yesterday, Li'l Abner, One, Two, Three

Sto–Stz

thumb|150px|[[James Stockdale]]

  • Barbara Stock, actress, Spenser: For Hire
  • Frederick Stock, 37-year director of Chicago Symphony Orchestra (born in Germany)
  • Milt Stock, MLB third baseman 1913–26
  • James Stockdale, one of U.S. Navy's most highly decorated officers, 1992 vice-presidential candidate
  • Dejan Stojanović, poet, writer, essayist (born in Serbia)
  • Johnny Stompanato, gangster, killed by daughter of Lana Turner
  • Cynthia Stone, actress, wife of Jack Lemmon
  • Dean Stone, pitcher for six MLB teams
  • Melville E. Stone, publisher, founder of Chicago Daily News, manager of Associated Press
  • Steve Stone, pitcher and broadcaster, Cubs and White Sox (born in Ohio)
  • W. Clement Stone, philanthropist, self-help author
  • Steve Stonebreaker, NFL linebacker 1962–68
  • Bill Stoneman, MLB pitcher 1967-74, general manager of Los Angeles Angels 1999–2007
  • Wilbur F. Storey, journalist (born in Vermont)
  • Hannah Storm, ESPN sportscaster
  • Lauren Storm, actress, Flight 29 Down
  • John Stossel, consumer reporter, investigative journalist, author
  • Jean Stothert, mayor of Omaha, Nebraska
  • Eric Stout, MLB pitcher
  • Shirley Stovroff, pro baseball player
  • Otto Stowe, NFL wide receiver 1971–74
  • Michael Stoyanov, actor, TV comedy writer, Blossom
  • Win Stracke, folk musician
  • Hank Stram, Pro Football Hall of Fame coach of Kansas City Chiefs
  • Juliana Stratton, lawyer, lieutenant governor
  • William Stratton, politician (Republican), Governor of Illinois 1953–61
  • Michael W. Straus, editor, director of U.S. reclamation under Harry Truman
  • The Brothers Strause, directing duo, special effects artists
  • Kevin Streelman, pro golfer
  • Tai Streets, Michigan football and basketball player, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
  • Chris Streveler, quarterback of 2019 CFL champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers
  • Steve Stricker, pro golfer, University of Illinois player (born in Wisconsin)
  • Lee Strobel, Christian apologetic author
  • John Stroger, president of Cook County Commissioners 1994–2006
  • Cal Strong, Olympic water polo medalist
  • Cecily Strong, comedian, Saturday Night Live
  • Robert H. Strotz, economist, Northwestern University president 1970-84
  • Max Strus, basketball player for DePaul, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Barbara Stuart, television actress
  • John Stuart, CEO of Quaker Oats 1922-53
  • John T. Stuart, law partner of Abe Lincoln, U.S. Representative (born in Kentucky)
  • R. Douglas Stuart, U.S. ambassador to Canada
  • R. Douglas Stuart Jr., executive of Quaker Oats, ambassador to Norway
  • Andy Studebaker, NFL linebacker 2008–15
  • Quint Studer, healthcare entrepreneur
  • Mary Lou Studnicka, player in All-American Girls Baseball League
  • James J. Stukel, university president
  • Patrick Stump, lead singer of band Fall Out Boy
  • John Sturges, Oscar-nominated film director, The Magnificent Seven, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, The Great Escape
  • Preston Sturges, director and Oscar-winning screenwriter, The Lady Eve, Sullivan's Travels, The Miracle of Morgan's Creek

Su–Sz

  • Todd Sucherman, drummer for Styx
  • Bill Sudakis, infielder for six Major League teams
  • Margaret Ashmore Sudduth, educator, editor, social reformer
  • Harry Sukman, Oscar-winning composer
  • Billy Sullivan Jr., MLB catcher 1931–47
  • Brad Sullivan, actor, Slap Shot, The Prince of Tides
  • Gerry Sullivan, offensive lineman for Cleveland Browns 1974–81
  • Joe Sullivan, MLB pitcher 1935–41
  • Louis Sullivan, architect (born in Massachusetts)
  • McKey Sullivan, fashion model, winner of America’s Next Top Model Cycle 11
  • Mike Sullivan, NFL lineman and coach
  • Hope Summers, actress, The Andy Griffith Show
  • Jessie Sumner, U.S. Representative 1939-47
  • Billy Sunday, ballplayer and evangelist (born in Iowa)
  • Helen Thompson Sunday, evangelist
  • Jim Sundberg, MLB catcher 1974–89, six Gold Glove Awards
  • Eliza R. Sunderland, writer, educator, lecturer, women's rights advocate
  • Don Sundquist, Governor of Tennessee 1995–2003
  • Daniel Sunjata, actor, Rescue Me, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Devil Wears Prada
  • Tom Sunkel, MLB pitcher 1937–44
  • Brent Suter, MLB pitcher
  • Jack Suwinski, MLB outfielder
  • Evar Swanson, MLB outfielder 1929–34
  • Gloria Swanson, Oscar-nominated, Golden Globe-winning actress, Sunset Boulevard, The Trespasser, Airport 1975
  • Gladys Swarthout, opera singer (born in Missouri)
  • Aaron Swartz, computer programmer, writer
  • Ed Sweeney, MLB catcher 1908–1919
  • Blanche Sweet, actress, Anna Christie
  • Lynn Sweet, Washington bureau chief, Chicago Sun-Times
  • Nancy Swider-Peltz, speed skater, four-time Olympian
  • George Bell Swift, two-term Mayor of Chicago (born in Ohio)
  • Gustavus Franklin Swift, meat-packing entrepreneur, founder of Swift & Co. (born in Massachusetts)
  • Bob Swisher, running back for Chicago Bears 1938–41
  • Ann Swisshelm, 2014 Olympian in curling
  • Carl Switzer, actor, "Alfalfa" in Our Gang comedies
  • Ken Swofford, actor, Ellery Queen, Murder, She Wrote
  • Keith Szarabajka, actor, The Dark Knight, We Were Soldiers
  • Stan Szukala, pro basketball player

T

Ta–Tg

thumb|150x150px|[[Lili Taylor]]

  • Jerry Taft, WLS-TV meteorologist
  • Lorado Taft, sculptor
  • Joe Tait, sportscaster for Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Carlos Talbott, U.S. Air Force general
  • Maria Tallchief, ballerina, Chicago Lyric Opera director (born in Oklahoma)
  • Jill Talley, actress, Little Miss Sunshine, The Boondocks, SpongeBob SquarePants
  • Shel Talmy, 1960s record producer, songwriter, arranger
  • Tampa Red, musician in Blues Hall of Fame (born in Georgia)
  • Daniel M. Tani, astronaut (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Bazy Tankersley, horse breeder and publisher
  • Antwon Tanner, actor, One Tree Hill
  • John Riley Tanner, Governor of Illinois 1897–1901 (born in Indiana)
  • Joseph R. Tanner, astronaut
  • Alex Tanney, NFL quarterback and coach
  • Dorothea Tanning, artist
  • Lawrence Tanter, public address announcer, Los Angeles Lakers
  • El Tappe, catcher and coach for Chicago Cubs
  • Bill Tate, MVP of 1952 Rose Bowl, head coach at Wake Forest
  • Larenz Tate, actor, Dead Presidents, Menace II Society, Why Do Fools Fall in Love, Ray, The Postman
  • Mark Tatge, journalist
  • Mike Tauchman, MLB outfielder
  • Norman Taurog, director of Martin and Lewis, Elvis Presley films
  • Bert Leston Taylor, librettist and columnist (born in Massachusetts)
  • Billy Taylor, basketball coach, Lehigh, Ball State, Elon
  • Eddie Taylor, guitarist in Blues Hall of Fame (born in Mississippi)
  • Edmund Dick Taylor, coal miner, politician, "Father of the Greenback" (born in Virginia)
  • George A. Taylor, World War II general, led Omaha Beach landing
  • Hawk Taylor, catcher for four MLB teams
  • Joan Taylor, actress, 20 Million Miles to Earth, War Paint, The Rifleman
  • Josh Taylor, actor, Days of Our Lives
  • June Taylor, choreographer, The Jackie Gleason Show
  • Koko Taylor, singer (born in Tennessee)
  • Lili Taylor, actress, Six Feet Under, I Shot Andy Warhol, Mystic Pizza, Ransom, The Conjuring
  • Robert Lewis Taylor, author, 1959 Pulitzer Prize
  • Samuel A. Taylor, screenwriter, Sabrina, Vertigo
  • Margaret Taylor-Burroughs, artist, museum founder, parks commissioner (born in Louisiana)
  • Edwin Way Teale, naturalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer
  • Gus Tebell, football coach, NC State, Virginia
  • Barbara Ann Teer, founder of National Black Theatre
  • John Teerlinck, NFL player and assistant coach, three-time Super Bowl champion (born in New York)
  • Len Teeuws, lineman for NFL's Rams and Cardinals
  • Rick Telander, sportswriter for Sports Illustrated and Chicago Sun-Times
  • William Telford, mayor of Springfield 1971-79
  • Lance Ten Broeck, pro golfer
  • Andy Tennant, actor, writer, director, Hitch, Sweet Home Alabama, The Bounty Hunter
  • Bradie Tennell, figure skater, 2018 Winter Olympics medalist
  • Judy Tenuta, comedian
  • Studs Terkel, historian, journalist, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and actor, Eight Men Out
  • Ernie Terrell, heavyweight contender, Chicago boxing promoter (born in Mississippi)
  • Felisha Terrell, actress, Days of Our Lives
  • Jean Terrell, singer with The Supremes
  • Frank Teschemacher, jazz musician (born in Missouri)
  • Tim Tetrick, harness racing driver, won 2012 Hambletonian Stakes

Th–Tn

thumb|150px|[[Jim Thome]]

  • John Thain, CEO of Merrill Lynch, New York Stock Exchange
  • Tom Thayer, offensive lineman and radio commentator for Chicago Bears
  • Mary Jane Theis, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Illinois
  • Lynne Thigpen, actress, Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?, All My Children, The Paper, The District
  • Roy Thinnes, actor, The Invaders, Airport 1975, The Hindenburg, Falcon Crest
  • Napoleon B. Thistlewood, Cairo politician (born in Delaware)
  • Josh Thole, MLB catcher 2009–16
  • Bill Thomas, costume designer, 10 Oscar nominations
  • Deon Thomas, American-Israeli basketball player
  • Frank Thomas, Hall of Fame first baseman, DH for Chicago White Sox (born in Georgia)
  • Frazier Thomas, Chicago television personality (born in Indiana)
  • Isiah Thomas, Hall of Fame basketball player, coach, executive; NCAA champion Indiana, NBA champion Detroit Pistons
  • Jesse B. Thomas, one of state's first U.S. Senators (born in Virginia)
  • Lee Thomas, MLB player and executive
  • Pierre Thomas, running back for Super Bowl XLIV champion New Orleans Saints
  • Pinch Thomas, MLB catcher 1912–21
  • Robert R. Thomas, justice on Supreme Court of Illinois 2000–20, Notre Dame and Bears kicker (born in New York)
  • Theodore Thomas, violinist, conductor and founder of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (born in Germany)
  • Jim Thome, Hall of Fame first baseman, DH 1991–2012, five-time All-Star
  • Don Thompson, president of McDonald's 2012–15
  • Fountain L. Thompson, U.S. Senator of North Dakota
  • James R. Thompson, politician (Republican), U.S. Attorney and four-term Governor of Illinois
  • Jeri Kehn Thompson, political commentator, wife of Sen. Fred Thompson (born in Nebraska)
  • Junior Thompson, MLB pitcher 1939–47
  • Marshall Thompson, actor, Dial 1119, Crashout, My Six Convicts, To Hell and Back, It!, First Man into Space
  • Patricia Thompson, television and documentary producer
  • William Hale Thompson, politician (Republican), two-term Mayor of Chicago (born in Massachusetts)
  • James Thomson, developmental biologist
  • Brad Thor, thriller novelist
  • Skip Thoren, basketball center for Illinois 1962–65
  • Don Thorp, defensive lineman, 1983 Big Ten MVP
  • Noble Threewitt, horse racing trainer
  • Richard Threlkeld, television journalist (born in Iowa)
  • Paul Tibbets, pilot of Enola Gay, U.S. Air Force general
  • Eunice Tietjens, foreign correspondent
  • Pamela Tiffin, actress, One, Two, Three, The Pleasure Seekers, Harper (born in Oklahoma)
  • Charles Tillman, cornerback for Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers
  • Dorothy Tillman, Chicago alderman 1985–2007 (born in Alabama)
  • Burr Tillstrom, puppeteer, creator of Kukla, Fran and Ollie
  • Tom Timmermann, MLB pitcher 1969–74
  • Joe Tinker, Hall of Fame shortstop for Chicago Cubs (born in Kansas)
  • Michael L. Tipsord, chairman of State Farm

To–Tq

thumb|225x225px|[[Nicholle Tom]]

  • John Tobias, creator of Mortal Kombat video game
  • James Tobin, economist, 1981 Nobel Prize
  • Albert Tocco, organized crime figure
  • Beverly Todd, actress, Lean on Me, The Bucket List
  • Jonathan Toews, three-time Stanley Cup champion with Chicago Blackhawks (born in Canada)
  • JP Tokoto, player for Hapoel Tel Aviv of Israeli Basketball Premier League
  • Gregg Toland, Oscar-winning cinematographer, Citizen Kane, Wuthering Heights
  • Scott Tolzien, NFL quarterback 2011–17, assistant coach
  • David Tom, actor, The Young and the Restless, All My Children
  • Lauren Tom, actress and voice artist, King of the Hill, The Joy Luck Club, Futurama, W.I.T.C.H.
  • Nicholle Tom, actress, The Nanny, The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman, Her Only Child
  • Clyde Tombaugh, astronomer, discoverer of dwarf planet Pluto
  • Mike Tomczak, quarterback for four NFL teams
  • Darlene Tompkins, actress, Beyond the Time Barrier, Blue Hawaii
  • Mario Tonelli, football player, survivor of Bataan Death March
  • Judy Baar Topinka, politician (Republican), comptroller, state treasurer
  • Mel Tormé, singer, composer, actor, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, co-wrote "The Christmas Song"
  • Jorge Torres, NCAA cross-country champion
  • Johnny Torrio, organized crime figure (born in Italy)
  • Audrey Totter, actress, The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Set-Up, High Wall, Tension, Lady in the Lake
  • Cy Touff, trumpeter
  • Roger Touhy, organized crime figure
  • Tom Towles, actor
  • Andre Townsend, starter in two Super Bowls for Denver Broncos
  • Robert Townsend, actor and director, The Parent 'Hood, The Five Heartbeats, Hollywood Shuffle
  • Taylor Townsend, tennis player
  • Giorgio Tozzi, opera singer

Tr–Tz

thumb|187x187px|[[Robin Tunney]]

thumb|150px|[[Michael Turner (American football)|Michael Turner]]

  • Al Trace, songwriter and bandleader
  • George Trafton, Hall of Fame center for Chicago Bears
  • Jane Trahey, advertising executive
  • Mary Ellen Trainor, actress, Roswell, Parker Lewis Can't Lose, the Lethal Weapon films
  • Rick Tramonto, restaurateur
  • June Travis, actress, Circus Girl, The Case of the Black Cat
  • Sam Travis, MLB infielder
  • Sam Treiman, theoretical physicist
  • Les Tremayne, radio personality (born in England)
  • Ken Trickey, college basketball coach (born in Missouri)
  • Roswell Tripp, football player for Yale
  • Dick Triptow, pro basketball player and coach
  • Lennie Tristano, jazz pianist
  • Walter Trohan, journalist
  • Harry Trotsek, Hall of Fame thoroughbred trainer
  • Bill Trotter, MLB pitcher 1937–44
  • Charlie Trotter, restaurateur
  • Bobbi Trout, aviator
  • Jim True-Frost, actor, The Wire
  • Walter E. Truemper, pilot, World War II Medal of Honor recipient
  • Frankie Trumbauer, jazz saxophonist
  • Lyman Trumbull, politician, Illinois Supreme Court Justice, U.S. Senator, author of Thirteenth Amendment (born in Connecticut)
  • Bob Trumpy, tight end for Cincinnati Bengals, sportscaster
  • Morgan Tuck, four-time NCAA basketball champion for UConn
  • Alando Tucker, pro basketball player, 2007 Big Ten Player of the Year
  • Dennis Tufano, singer for The Buckinghams
  • Robin Tunney, actress, The Mentalist, Prison Break, The Craft, Hollywoodland, Vertical Limit
  • William Tuohy, Pulitzer-winning foreign correspondent
  • Barbara Turf, CEO of Crate & Barrel
  • Bob Turley, Cy Young-winning pitcher, primarily with New York Yankees
  • Bulldog Turner, Hall of Fame player for Chicago Bears (born in Texas)
  • Evan Turner, NBA guard 2010–20, second pick of 2010 NBA draft, 2010 Big Ten Player of the Year
  • Ike and Tina Turner, musical duo, began in East St. Louis
  • Jonathan Baldwin Turner, scholar, botanist, advocate of land grant universities (born in Massachusetts)
  • Keena Turner, linebacker for San Francisco 49ers, four-time Super Bowl champion
  • Michael Turner, NFL running back 2004–12
  • Stansfield Turner, admiral and CIA director
  • Scott Turow, author and lawyer, Presumed Innocent
  • Bill Tuttle, MLB outfielder 1952–63
  • Jeff Tweedy, musician with Wilco
  • Twista, rapper
  • R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr., founder, editor of The American Spectator

U

  • Peter Ueberroth, president of U.S. Olympic Committee, commissioner of Major League Baseball
  • Ted Uhlaender, outfielder for Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians
  • Tyler Ulis, basketball player for Phoenix Suns (born in Michigan)
  • Chuck Ulrich, lineman for Illinois 1952 Rose Bowl championship team and NFL's Chicago Cardinals
  • Jim Umbricht, pitcher for Houston Colt .45s
  • Colton Underwood, football player, The Bachelor star (born in Indiana)
  • Lauren Underwood, U.S. Representative (born in Ohio)
  • Oliver A. Unger, movie producer, distributor and exhibitor
  • Kay Unger, fashion designer
  • Tim Unroe, MLB first baseman 1995–2000
  • Paul Unruh, 1950 All-America basketball player for Bradley
  • Al Unser, MLB catcher 1942–45
  • Del Unser, outfielder for six MLB teams
  • Phil Upchurch, jazz and R&B guitarist and bassist
  • Dawn Upshaw, Grammy-winning soprano
  • Calla Urbanski, pairs skater, two-time U.S. champion
  • Kraig Urbik, offensive lineman for Buffalo Bills
  • Urge Overkill, alt rock band from Chicago
  • Brian Urlacher, 13-year Chicago Bears linebacker, Pro Football Hall of Fame (born in Washington)
  • Frank Urson, silent-film director, Chicago
  • Garrick Utley, television journalist
  • Nancy Utley, Hollywood studio executive

V

thumb|206x206px|[[Vince Vaughn]]

thumb|223x223px|[[Nadine Velazquez]]

  • Richard B. Vail, World War I officer, U.S. Representative
  • Jerry Vainisi, general manager of Chicago Bears 1983–86
  • Jim Valek, football player, coach for Illinois
  • Darnell Valentine, NBA guard 1981–91
  • Elmer Valentine, founder of Whisky a Go Go and The Roxy Theatre
  • Vincent Valentine, defensive tackle for New England Patriots
  • Virginia Valli, silent movie actress
  • Egbert Van Alstyne, songwriter, "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree"
  • John S. Van Bergen, architect
  • Al Van Camp, MLB first baseman, outfielder 1928–32
  • Danitra Vance, actress, Saturday Night Live cast member
  • Gene Vance, basketball player, athletic director for Illinois
  • Art Van Damme, accordionist (born in Michigan)
  • Christian Vande Velde, professional cyclist
  • James Oliver Van de Velde, second Bishop of Chicago (born in Belgium)
  • Shaun Vandiver, basketball player and coach
  • Carl Clinton Van Doren, author, 1939 Pulitzer Prize for biography
  • Mark Van Doren, professor, 1940 Pulitzer Prize for poetry
  • Wendelin Van Draanen, author of Sammy Keyes children's novels
  • Dick Van Dyke, actor, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Diagnosis: Murder, Bye Bye Birdie, Mary Poppins (born in Missouri)
  • Jerry Van Dyke, actor, comedian, Coach, The Courtship of Eddie's Father, My Mother the Car
  • Brian Van Holt, actor, Cougar Town, John from Cincinnati
  • William Cornelius Van Horne, railroad mogul, first mayor of Joliet
  • Phillip Edward Van Lear, actor, Prison Break
  • Norm Van Lier, player and broadcaster for Chicago Bulls (born in Ohio)
  • Homer Van Meter, bank robber (born in Indiana)
  • Sander Vanocur, television news journalist
  • John M. Van Osdel, architect (born in Maryland)
  • Melvin Van Peebles, director, screenwriter, actor, composer
  • Jim Van Pelt, two-time Grey Cup champion CFL quarterback
  • Todd Van Poppel, MLB pitcher 1991–2004
  • Samuel Van Sant, Governor of Minnesota 1901–05
  • Virginia Van Upp, writer, producer, Cover Girl, Gilda
  • Virginia Van Wie, golfer, three-time U.S. Women's Amateur champion
  • Fred VanVleet, point guard, 2019 NBA champion with Toronto Raptors
  • Bruce Vaughan, golfer, winner of British Senior Open
  • Chico Vaughn, Southern Illinois and pro basketball player
  • Clarence Vaughn, NFL defensive back 1987–92
  • Govoner Vaughn, basketball player
  • Hippo Vaughn, pitcher for Cubs 1913–21 (born in Texas)
  • Vince Vaughn, actor, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Wedding Crashers, Fred Claus, Psycho, The Break-Up
  • Eddie Vedder, lead vocalist for Pearl Jam
  • Bill Veeck, owner of Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Browns, member of Hall of Fame
  • William Veeck Sr., sportswriter, president of Chicago Cubs
  • Nadine Velazquez, actress and model, My Name Is Earl, Flight
  • Sasha Velour, drag queen, 9th-season winner of RuPaul's Drag Race (born in California)
  • Rachel Veltri, actress and model
  • Robin Ventura, third baseman, manager for Chicago White Sox (born in California)
  • Rick Venturi, head football coach for Northwestern, defensive coordinator for four NFL teams
  • Mark Venturini, actor
  • Emil Verban, three-time All-Star infielder, played for 1944 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals
  • Jim Verraros, singer, Season 1 of American Idol
  • Dick Versace, basketball coach, Bradley and Indiana Pacers (born in North Carolina)
  • Izabela Vidovic, actress, singer, The Fosters, About a Boy
  • Vince Vieluf, actor, Love, Inc., Rat Race
  • Marjorie Vincent, news broadcaster and 1991 Miss America
  • Jory Vinikour, harpsichordist and conductor
  • Steve Vinovich, actor
  • Craig Virgin, distance runner, three-time Olympian, won nine Big Ten track titles and NCAA cross country
  • C. T. Vivian, associate of Martin Luther King Jr., awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom (born in Missouri)
  • John Vivyan, actor, Mr. Lucky
  • Alex Vlasic, NHL defenseman
  • Virgil W. Vogel, film and TV director
  • Rich Vogler, auto racer, five Indianapolis 500s
  • Deborah Voigt, opera singer
  • Mark Voigt, NASCAR driver
  • Bob Voigts, Northwestern football player and coach
  • Harry Volkman, 45-year Chicago television weather forecaster
  • Pete Vonachen, Minor League Baseball executive
  • Kevin Von Erich, professional wrestler
  • Rufus B. von KleinSmid, president, University of Southern California 1921-47, raised in Von KleinSmid Mansion
  • Edward Vrdolyak, politician, Chicago alderman 1971–87, convicted of fraud
  • George Vukovich, MLB outfielder 1980–85
  • Charles W. Vursell, sheriff of Marion County, Illinois, U.S. Representative 1943–59

W

Waa–Wam

thumb|150x150px|[[The Wachowskis]]

thumb|150px|[[Dwyane Wade]]

thumb|150px|[[Chris Wallace]]

  • The Wachowskis, filmmakers, the Matrix trilogy
  • Charles H. Wacker, city planner, director of Chicago World's Fair
  • Dwyane Wade, Hall of Fame basketball player, three-time NBA champion with Miami Heat
  • Robert Wadlow, tallest man in U.S.
  • E. S. Wadsworth, merchant, railroad president (born in Connecticut)
  • Arthur L. Wagner, U.S. Army general
  • Audrey Wagner, pro baseball player
  • Gary Wagner, pitcher for Philadelphia Phillies 1965–69
  • Mike Wagner, defensive back for Pittsburgh Steelers, won four Super Bowls
  • Susan Wagner, financial executive, co-founder of BlackRock
  • Ken Wahl, actor, Wiseguy, The Wanderers, Fort Apache, the Bronx
  • Becky Wahlstrom, actress, Joan of Arcadia
  • Jerry Wainwright, basketball coach of DePaul 2005–10
  • Frank Wainright, tight end for four NFL teams
  • Lena Waithe, actress, writer, producer, The Chi, Master of None, Ready Player One
  • Dick Wakefield, MLB outfielder 1941–52
  • Tim Walberg, U.S. Representative of Michigan
  • Eliot Wald, TV and film comedy writer
  • Frank Waldman, screenwriter, The Party, Return of the Pink Panther
  • Randy Waldman, musician
  • Tom Waldman, screenwriter, High Time, Inspector Clouseau
  • Jim Walewander, MLB infielder 1987–93
  • Charles Rudolph Walgreen, founder of Walgreens
  • Albertina Walker, gospel singer
  • Antoine Walker, forward for five NBA teams
  • Bill Walker, MLB pitcher 1927–36
  • Chet Walker, forward for Bradley and Chicago Bulls (born in Michigan)
  • Clint Walker, actor, Cheyenne, The Dirty Dozen, Yellowstone Kelly
  • Dan Walker, Governor of Illinois 1973–77 (born in D.C.)
  • Darrell Walker, player for five NBA teams
  • Derrick Walker, tight end for three NFL teams
  • George W. Walker, auto designer, original Ford Thunderbird
  • June Walker, actress
  • Mysterious Walker, three-sport athlete, coach for University of Chicago (born in Nebraska)
  • Nella Walker, actress
  • William J. Walker, Army major general, U.S. House sergeant at arms
  • Amy Wallace, author (born in California)
  • Chris Wallace, television journalist, Fox News Channel and CNN
  • David Foster Wallace, author (born in New York)
  • Henry Cantwell Wallace, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture 1921–24
  • Irving Wallace, author and screenwriter
  • Jean Wallace, actress, Jigsaw, The Big Combo
  • Martin R. M. Wallace, Union general in Civil War (born in Ohio)
  • Mike Wallace, Chicago radio-TV personality and CBS News journalist (born in Massachusetts)
  • Stan Wallace, defensive back for Chicago Bears 1954–59
  • W.H.L. Wallace, Union general in Civil War (born in Ohio)
  • Stephen Wallem, actor, Nurse Jackie
  • Hal Wallis, film producer, Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Blue Hawaii, True Grit
  • Joe Wallis, MLB outfielder 1975–79
  • Laurie Walquist, quarterback for Chicago Bears 1924–31
  • Ed Walsh, pitcher and manager for Chicago White Sox, member of Hall of Fame (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Frank Walsh, pro golfer, 1932 PGA Championship runner-up
  • Matt Walsh, actor, Upright Citizens Brigade, Veep
  • Minnie Gow Walsworth, poet
  • Kevin Walter, NFL wide receiver 2003–13
  • Melora Walters, actress, Cold Mountain, Boogie Nights, Magnolia
  • Lloyd Walton, guard for Milwaukee Bucks 1976–80

Wan–Waz

thumb|151x151px|[[James Watson]]

  • Sam Wanamaker, director and actor, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Superman IV, Guilty by Suspicion
  • Carl Wanderer, World War I hero, convicted murderer
  • Rudolf Wanderone, billiards' "Minnesota Fats" (born in New York)
  • Betty Wanless, baseball player
  • Aaron Montgomery Ward, retail businessman, creator of mail order catalog (born in New Jersey)
  • Arch Ward, journalist, creator of baseball All-Star Game and boxing's Golden Gloves
  • Brian Wardle, basketball coach, Bradley
  • Wilbur Ware, jazz bassist
  • Marsha Warfield, actress, Night Court
  • Cy Warmoth, MLB player 1916–23
  • Henry C. Warmoth, Civil War officer, governor of Louisiana
  • Mark Warner, politician (Democrat), governor and U.S. senator of Virginia (born in Indiana)
  • Vespasian Warner, Civil War soldier, U.S. Representative
  • Elihu B. Washburne, U.S. Secretary of State under Ulysses S. Grant (born in Maine)
  • Hempstead Washburne, Mayor of Chicago 1891–93
  • Dinah Washington, singer, 1993 inductee in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (born in Alabama)
  • Harold Washington, first African-American Mayor of Chicago
  • Mark Washington, NFL defensive back 1970–79
  • Stan Wasiak, managed 4,844 minor-league baseball games
  • Ted Wass, actor, Soap, Blossom, Oh, God! You Devil, Sheena, Curse of the Pink Panther
  • Muddy Waters, blues musician and songwriter, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (born in Mississippi)
  • Maurine Dallas Watkins, Chicago reporter who wrote stage play Chicago (born in Kentucky)
  • Jody Watley, singer, songwriter, record producer
  • Betty Jane Watson, singer and actress
  • Bobby Watson, actor
  • Deek Watson, original member of singing group The Ink Spots
  • James Watson, molecular biologist, geneticist, co-discoverer of structure of DNA, winner of Nobel Prize
  • Minor Watson, actor, Boys Town, The Jackie Robinson Story
  • William Watson, actor, Lawman, Chato's Land
  • Chris Watt, guard, Notre Dame and NFL
  • May Theilgaard Watts, naturalist and writer
  • Bobby Wawak, auto racer
  • Ruby Wax, comedian, TV personality, Absolutely Fabulous, Girls on Top
  • Carol Wayne, actress, television personality, Heartbreakers
  • Nina Wayne, actress, Luv

Wb–Wg

thumb|199x199px|[[Raquel Welch]]

  • Frank Wead, aviator and Oscar-nominated screenwriter
  • Betty, Jean and Joanne Weaver, sisters in All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
  • Buck Weaver, third baseman for 1917 World Series champion White Sox and 1919 "Black Sox" (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Jason Weaver, actor, Smart Guy, Thea
  • Bill Webb, coach, executive with White Sox
  • Richard Webb, actor, Out of the Past, Distant Drums
  • Wellington Webb, mayor of Denver, Colorado 1991–2003
  • Jon Weber, jazz musician, NPR host
  • Pete Weber, hockey broadcaster
  • Mary Webster, actress
  • Stokely Webster, impressionist painter
  • Tracy Webster, basketball coach
  • Reinhold Weege, comedy writer, creator of TV series Night Court
  • Charles Weeghman, businessman, built Wrigley Field, owned Chicago Cubs (born in Indiana)
  • D. A. Weibring, professional golfer
  • Bill Weick, Greco-Roman wrestler and coach, member of first U.S. World Championships team 1961
  • Tim Weigel, Chicago television broadcaster
  • Joseph "Yellow Kid" Weil, notorious con artist
  • Bob Weiland, pitcher for five MLB teams
  • Jane Weiller, golfer
  • Alvin M. Weinberg, nuclear physicist
  • Lawrence Weingarten, Oscar-winning film producer
  • Robbie Weinhardt, pitcher for Detroit Tigers
  • Phil Weintraub, MLB player, had 11-RBI game in 1944
  • Hymie Weiss, mobster, rival of Al Capone (born in Poland)
  • Lois Weisberg, created Chicago Blues Festival and Taste of Chicago
  • Burton Weisbrod, economist who pioneered theory of option value
  • Mark Weisbrot, economist, columnist
  • Mark Weiser, chief scientist at Xerox PARC
  • Bob Weiskopf, TV writer, I Love Lucy
  • Michael T. Weiss, actor, The Pretender, The Legend of Tarzan
  • Robbie Weiss, 1988 NCAA tennis champion
  • Johnny Weissmuller, athlete and actor, five-time Olympic swim gold medalist, star of Tarzan films (born in Hungary)
  • Chris Welch, politician, Speaker of Illinois House of Representatives
  • Raquel Welch, actress, One Million Years B.C., Fantastic Voyage, Bandolero!, The Last of Sheila, Myra Breckinridge
  • Jerry Weller, U.S. Representative 1995–2009
  • Orson Welles, actor and director, Citizen Kane, The Third Man, Touch of Evil (born in Wisconsin)
  • Judson Welliver, presidential speechwriter
  • Jon Wellner, actor, Henry Andrews on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
  • Junior Wells, blues musician (born in Tennessee)
  • Randy Wells, pitcher for Chicago Cubs 2008–12
  • Marty Wendell, football player for Notre Dame
  • Joe Wendryhoski, NFL guard 1964–68
  • George Wendt, actor, Norm Peterson on television series Cheers
  • John Wentworth, politician (Democrat), U.S. Congressman, Mayor of Chicago and newspaper editor (born in New Hampshire)
  • Pete Wentz, bass player of Fall Out Boy
  • Dennis Werth, player for New York Yankees 1979–81
  • Jayson Werth, MLB outfielder 2002–17
  • Paul Wertico, drummer with Pat Metheny Group
  • Dallas West, billiards player
  • Kanye West, multiple Grammy Award-winning rap musician, songwriter, producer, fashion designer, actor; husband of reality TV star Kim Kardashian
  • Mary Allen West, journalist, editor, educator, social reformer
  • Matthew West, Christian musician
  • Roy Owen West, U.S. Secretary of the Interior 1928–29
  • Helen Westerman, baseball player
  • Thomas D. Westfall, mayor of El Paso, Texas 1978–82
  • Edward Weston, photographer
  • Haskell Wexler, Oscar-winning cinematographer, producer, director
  • Jerrold Wexler, financier

Wh

thumb|150px|[[Betty White]]

  • Warren L. Wheaton, philanthropist, namesake of Wheaton, Illinois (born in Connecticut)
  • Cora Stuart Wheeler, poet, writer, journalist, lecturer
  • Loren E. Wheeler, mayor of Springfield, U.S. Representative
  • John Whistler, first commandant of Fort Dearborn (born in Ireland)
  • Betty White, Emmy-winning actress and comedian, The Golden Girls, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Proposal, Hot in Cleveland
  • Deacon White, baseball Hall of Famer (born in New York)
  • Frank White, eighth Governor of North Dakota, 1921–28 U.S. Secretary of Treasury
  • George A. White, military officer and journalist
  • Isaac White, 19th Century militia officer (born in Virginia)
  • Jesse White, politician, Illinois Secretary of State
  • John H. White, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer
  • Maurice White, musician, founder of Earth, Wind & Fire
  • Michole Briana White, actress
  • Nettie L. White, stenographer, suffragist
  • Stephanie White, head coach, WNBA's Connecticut Sun; 1998-99 Player of the Year for NCAA champion Purdue
  • Verdine White, musician, original member of Earth, Wind & Fire
  • Wendy White, opera singer
  • Willye White, track-and-field athlete, five-time Olympian
  • Jerome Whitehead, center-forward for Marquette, six NBA teams
  • John C. Whitehead, banker, civil servant, chairman of Lower Manhattan Development Corporation
  • Steven Whitehurst, author, poet, educator
  • Larry Whiteside, sportswriter, 2008 Spink Award winner
  • Samuel Whiteside, soldier and 19th Century member of U.S. General Assembly (born in North Carolina)
  • Richard A. Whiting, composer, "On the Good Ship Lollipop", "Hooray for Hollywood"

Wi

thumb|173x173px|[[Robin Williams]]

  • Al Wickland, MLB outfielder 1913–19
  • Richard Widmark, Oscar-nominated actor, Judgment at Nuremberg, The Alamo, Kiss of Death, Night and the City, How the West Was Won, Murder on the Orient Express
  • Scott Wike, U.S. Representative, assistant treasury secretary to Grover Cleveland (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Michael Wilbon, sports columnist, co-host of ESPN's Pardon the Interruption
  • Wilco, rock band from Chicago
  • Linda Wild, tennis player
  • Lee and Lyn Wilde, actresses, Twice Blessed, Campus Honeymoon
  • Thornton Wilder, playwright, University of Chicago professor (born in Wisconsin)
  • Tim Wilkerson, drag racer
  • David B. Wilkins, Harvard law professor
  • Jeff Wilkins, center for Utah Jazz 1980–86
  • J. Ernest Wilkins Jr., nuclear scientist, University of Chicago student at 13
  • Amie Wilkinson, mathematician and professor
  • Steve Wilkos, television personality, The Jerry Springer Show, The Steve Wilkos Show
  • Bob Will, outfielder for Cubs 1957–63
  • George Will, conservative Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, journalist, ABC news analyst, author
  • Alice Willard, journalist, editor
  • Frances E. Willard, suffragist, head of temperance union, Northwestern dean of women (born in New York)
  • Frank Willard, cartoonist, creator of Moon Mullins
  • Louise Collier Willcox, writer, editor, anthologist, translator
  • Lois Wille, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
  • Walt Willey, actor, All My Children
  • Aaron Williams, forward for 10 NBA teams
  • Billy Williams, 15-year outfielder for Cubs, member of Hall of Fame (born in Alabama)
  • Brandon Williams, NFL tight end
  • Cynda Williams, actress, Mo' Better Blues, One False Move
  • Dick Anthony Williams, actor, Homefront, The Mack, Dog Day Afternoon
  • Frank Williams, NBA and Illinois guard, 2001 Big Ten Player of the Year
  • Jason Williams, linebacker for five NFL teams
  • Jesse Williams, actor, Grey's Anatomy, Lee Daniels' The Butler
  • Joe Williams, jazz and blues singer, Count Basie Orchestra (born in Georgia)
  • Joe Williams, Olympic wrestler, three-time NCAA champion
  • Juice Williams, quarterback for Illinois
  • Kenny Williams, outfielder, executive for Chicago White Sox (born in California)
  • Kyle Williams, NFL wide receiver 2010–16 (born in California)
  • Mayo Williams, football player and music producer
  • Michelle Williams, R&B singer-songwriter, member of Destiny's Child, actress
  • Robin Williams, comedian and Oscar-winning actor, Good Will Hunting, Good Morning, Vietnam, Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poets Society, Mork & Mindy, Aladdin
  • Rip Williams, MLB player 1911–18
  • Ron Williams, CEO and chairman of Aetna Inc. 2006–11
  • Tex Williams, western swing musician
  • William E. Williams, three-term U.S. Representative
  • Richard S. Williamson, diplomat in George W. Bush administration
  • Sonny Boy Williamson, blues harmonica musician (born in Tennessee)
  • Dave Willock, actor, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
  • Dave Wills, baseball broadcaster for Tampa Bay Rays 2005–23
  • Art Wilson, MLB catcher 1908–21
  • Ben Wilson, murdered high school basketball star
  • Bobby Wilson, NFL tackle 1991–94
  • Dan Wilson, MLB catcher 1992–2005, Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame
  • Dooley Wilson, singer, "Sam" in Casablanca (born in Texas)
  • Gahan Wilson, cartoonist
  • George Wilson, NFL player and coach
  • George Wilson, NBA center, played in two NCAA title games (born in Mississippi)
  • Gretchen Wilson, country music singer
  • Hack Wilson, Hall of Fame outfielder for Cubs, record-breaking 191-RBI season (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Hugh R. Wilson, diplomat, assistant Secretary of State
  • James H. Wilson, Civil War general
  • Kenneth L. Wilson, president of United States Olympic Committee 1953–65, Big Ten commissioner 1945–61
  • Martez Wilson, linebacker for three NFL teams
  • Parke Wilson, MLB catcher of 19th Century
  • Pete Wilson, politician, mayor of San Diego 1971–83, U.S. Senator 1983–91, Governor of California 1991–99
  • Richard G. Wilson, soldier, Medal of Honor winner
  • Thomas E. Wilson, founder of Wilson Sporting Goods (born in Canada)
  • Whip Wilson, actor in western films
  • William Warfield Wilson, four-term U.S. Representative
  • Frank Wilton, football coach, Miami University 1932–41
  • Hal Wiltse, MLB pitcher 1926–31
  • Verne Winchell, founder of Winchell's Donuts
  • Dorothy Wind, baseball player
  • William G. Windrich, Medal of Honor recipient from Korean War
  • Henry Haven Windsor, editor, founder of Popular Mechanics
  • Jill Wine-Banks, lawyer, Watergate scandal prosecutor
  • Oprah Winfrey, iconic television host, actress, producer and media magnate (born in Mississippi)
  • Tommy Wingels, NHL wing 2010–18
  • Clare Winger, science-fiction writer
  • Dan Winkler, MLB relief pitcher
  • Roy Winsor, soap opera creator, Search for Tomorrow
  • Florence Hull Winterburn, writer, editor
  • Frank Winters, basketball coach
  • Nobby Wirkowski, CFL quarterback
  • Arthur Wirtz, owned Chicago Stadium, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Red Wings
  • Bill Wirtz, 41-year president of Chicago Blackhawks
  • Danny Wirtz, owner of Chicago Blackhawks
  • Rocky Wirtz, owner of Chicago Blackhawks 2007–23
  • W. Willard Wirtz, U.S. Secretary of Labor under John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson
  • Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton, WNBA player 2009–12
  • Beverly "Pudgy" Wisniewski, comedian
  • Al, Alvin and Whitey Wistert, members of College Football Hall of Fame
  • John Wittenborn, NFL kicker 1958–68
  • Tom Wittum, NFL punter 1973–77
  • Samuel Witwer, actor, Davis Bloome on Smallville

Wj–Wz

  • Rick Wohlhuter, runner, 1976 Olympic bronze medalist in 800 meters
  • Gary K. Wolf, author of novel adapted into Who Framed Roger Rabbit
  • Hillary Wolf, actress, judo player, Home Alone, Home Alone 2
  • Raymond Wolf, football coach, North Carolina, Florida, Tulane
  • Ross Wolf, MLB pitcher 2008–13
  • Garrett Wolfe, running back, Northern Illinois and Chicago Bears
  • Ian Wolfe, actor, Bedlam, Julius Caesar
  • Roger Wolff, MLB pitcher 1941–46
  • Violet Bidwill Wolfner, owner of NFL's Chicago and St. Louis Cardinals 1947–62
  • Benson Wood, Civil War officer, U.S. Representative (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Corinne Wood, first female lieutenant governor of Illinois
  • Elizabeth Wood, director of Chicago Housing Authority 1937–54 (born in Japan)
  • James N. Wood, director of Art Institute of Chicago 1979–2004
  • John Wood, Governor of Illinois 1860–61, founder of Quincy, Illinois (born in New York)
  • Kerry Wood, 10-year pitcher for Cubs (born in Texas)
  • Mike Woodard, MLB infielder 1985–88
  • Cliff Woodbury, auto racer, third in 1926 Indy 500
  • Jim Woods, MLB infielder 1957–61
  • Ray Woods, first basketball All-American for Illinois 1915–17
  • Abe Woodson, NFL cornerback 1958–66 (born in Mississippi)
  • Bob Woodward, journalist for Washington Post, instrumental in Watergate scandal, co-author of All the President's Men
  • Neil Woodward, Naval officer, NASA astronaut
  • James Hutchinson Woodworth, U.S. Representative, Mayor of Chicago 1848–50 (born in New York)
  • John Maynard Woodworth, first U.S. Surgeon General (born in New York)
  • Collett E. Woolman, co-founder of Delta Air Lines
  • Ralph Works, MLB pitcher 1909–13
  • Stephen T. Worland, economist
  • Robert Wrenn, tennis player, one of Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders
  • Amy Wright, actress, The Accidental Tourist, The Scarlet Letter
  • Eric C. Wright, defensive back, four-time Super Bowl champion with San Francisco 49ers
  • Eugene Wright, bassist with Dave Brubeck Quartet
  • Frank Lloyd Wright, iconic architect, designer, writer and educator (born in Wisconsin)
  • Jeremiah Wright, retired pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Joseph C. Wright, Oscar-winning art director
  • Julian Wright, pro basketball player
  • Margie Wright, softball Hall of Famer
  • Michael Wright, pro basketball player
  • Randy Wright, quarterback for Green Bay Packers 1984–88
  • Warren Wright Sr., owner of horse racing's Calumet Farm (born in Ohio)
  • P.K. Wrigley, chewing gum mogul, Chicago Cubs owner 1932–77
  • William Wrigley Jr., founder of Wrigley Company, majority owner of Cubs 1918–32 (born in Pennsylvania)
  • William Wrigley III, CEO of Wrigley Co., sold Cubs to Tribune Company
  • Jim Wulff, defensive back, 1956 Rose Bowl champion Michigan State
  • Vic Wunderle, archer, 2000 Olympic silver medalist
  • Alex Wurman, film and TV composer
  • Addie L. Wyatt, civil rights activist (born in Mississippi)
  • John Wyatt, pitcher for five MLB teams
  • Brooke Wyckoff, player for three WNBA teams
  • Victoria Wyndham, actress, Another World
  • Renaldo Wynn, player for four NFL teams
  • Marvell Wynne, MLB outfielder 1983–90
  • Johnny Wyrostek, MLB outfielder 1942–54

Y

  • Rick Yager, cartoonist
  • Kevin Yagher, special effects technician
  • Luke Yaklich, basketball coach, Illinois-Chicago
  • Estelle Yancey, blues singer
  • Jimmy Yancey, jazz musician
  • Ron Yary, Hall of Fame offensive tackle, primarily with Minnesota Vikings, 1969 NFL champion
  • Richard Yates Sr., politician (Republican), U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, Governor of Illinois 1861–65 (born in Kentucky)
  • Richard Yates Jr., politician (Republican), attorney, U.S. Representative, Governor of Illinois 1901–05
  • Sidney R. Yates, politician (Democrat), 49-year U.S. Representative
  • Leland B. Yeager, economist, expert on monetary policy and international trade
  • Molly Yeh, cookbook author, Food Network personality
  • Charles Yerkes, financier, mass-transit developer (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Mary Agnes Yerkes, painter
  • Philip Yordan, Oscar-winning screenwriter, Detective Story, Johnny Guitar, The Harder They Fall
  • Dick York, actor, Bewitched, Inherit the Wind (born in Indiana)
  • John J. York, actor, General Hospital, Werewolf
  • Bruce A. Young, actor, The Sentinel, Blink, The Color of Money
  • Bryant Young, Hall of Fame defensive lineman for Super Bowl XXIX champion San Francisco 49ers
  • Buddy Young, NFL running back and College Football Hall of Famer
  • Chic Young, creator of comic strip Blondie
  • Clara Kimball Young, actress
  • Donald Young, professional tennis player
  • Ella Flagg Young, superintendent of Chicago schools 1909–1915 (born in New York)
  • Ernie Young, outfielder for five MLB teams, minor-league manager, 2000 Olympic gold medalist
  • Frank A. Young, sportswriter for Chicago Defender
  • James Young, musician with Styx
  • John Young, jazz pianist
  • Larry Young, MLB umpire
  • Richard M. Young, judge, U.S. Senator 1837–43
  • Robert Young, actor, Father Knows Best, Marcus Welby, M.D., Crossfire, Northwest Passage, Western Union
  • Roger Young, writer, director, Lassiter, The Squeeze
  • Victor Young, Oscar-winning composer, arranger, violinist, conductor; wrote "When I Fall in Love", "Around the World"
  • Zora Young, blues singer (born in Mississippi)
  • Robin Yount, Hall of Fame player for Milwaukee Brewers
  • Linda Yu, television newscaster (born in China)
  • Jay Yuenger, musician with White Zombie
  • Rich Yunkus, basketball player
  • Timi Yuro, singer, "Hurt"
  • Kateryna Yushchenko, former First Lady of Ukraine

Z

thumb|150px|[[Robert Zemeckis]]

thumb|150px|[[Ben Zobrist]]

  • Florian ZaBach, musician and television personality
  • Courtney Zablocki, luge, fourth place at 2006 Turin Olympics
  • Jacob Zachar, actor, Greek
  • James Zagel, judge, novelist
  • Paula Zahn, journalist, TV personality, On the Case with Paula Zahn (born in Nebraska)
  • Timothy Zahn, science-fiction author
  • Robin Zander, musician with Cheap Trick (born in Wisconsin)
  • Billy Zane, producer, director and actor, Titanic, The Phantom, Dead Calm, Only You, Sniper, Tombstone
  • Charles S. Zane, judge, associate of Abe Lincoln (born in New Jersey)
  • Lisa Zane, actress, L.A. Law, Biker Mice from Mars, Roar
  • John Zaremba, actor, I Led Three Lives, The Time Tunnel, Ben Casey
  • Agnes Zawadzki, figure skater, 2010 U.S. junior champion
  • Jed Zayner, professional soccer player
  • Tom Zbikowski, defensive back for Notre Dame and Baltimore Ravens
  • Larry Zbyszko, pro wrestler
  • Robert Z'Dar, actor, producer
  • Joe Zdeb, outfielder for Kansas City Royals 1977–79
  • Kara Zediker, actress
  • Stephen A. Zeff, accounting historian
  • John D. Zeglis, president of AT&T
  • Bill Zehme, magazine writer and author
  • Alfred Zeisler, film director
  • Fannie Bloomfield Zeisler, pianist (born in Austria)
  • Zeke Zekley, cartoonist
  • Pam Zekman, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist
  • Sarah Zelenka, world champion rower, fourth at 2012 Olympics
  • Sam Zell, real estate entrepreneur, Tribune Company chairman
  • Bob Zeman, pro football player and coach
  • Robert Zemeckis, film director, Forrest Gump, Cast Away, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, the Back to the Future films
  • Colleen Zenk, actress, As the World Turns
  • Warren Zevon, rock musician, singer-songwriter, "Werewolves of London"
  • Jeff Zgonina, defensive lineman for seven NFL teams
  • Howard Zieff, film and TV commercial director, The Main Event, Private Benjamin, My Girl
  • Florenz Ziegfeld, Broadway impresario, creator of Ziegfeld Follies
  • Alma Ziegler, pro baseball player
  • Brad Ziegler, MLB pitcher 2008–18 (born in Kansas)
  • Zach Ziemek, Olympic decathlete
  • Benny Zientara, MLB infielder 1941–48
  • Lester Ziffren, screenwriter
  • Mike Zimmer, head coach of Minnesota Vikings 2014–22
  • Frederick Hinde Zimmerman, banker and land owner
  • Jacob Zimmerman, editor, politician (born in Pennsylvania)
  • Mary Zimmerman, Tony Award-winning director (born in Nebraska)
  • Mary Beth Zimmerman, golfer, four-time Women's U.S. Amateur champion
  • Bob Zimny, lineman for 1947 NFL champion Chicago Cardinals
  • Bud Zipfel, first baseman for Washington Senators
  • Patricia Zipprodt, costume designer
  • Adrian Zmed, actor, TV personality, T. J. Hooker, Grease 2
  • Ben Zobrist, MLB second baseman 2006–19, two-time World Series champion
  • Robert Zoellick, president of World Bank 2007–12
  • Rick Zombo, hockey player for Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues
  • Billy Zoom, guitarist for band X
  • Chris Zorich, lineman for Notre Dame and Chicago Bears
  • Louis Zorich, actor, musician, Mad About You, Brooklyn Bridge
  • Anthony E. Zuiker, creator of CSI
  • Jim Zulevic, actor, comedian, radio host, TV writer
  • Robert Zuppke, football coach for University of Illinois 1913–41, College Football Hall of Fame (born in Germany)
  • Jack Zuta, organized crime figure (born in Russia)
  • Edward Zwick, film director, Glory, The Last Samurai, Legends of the Fall, Love & Other Drugs, Defiance
  • Tony Zych, MLB pitcher 2015–17

0-9

thumb|150px|Montana-of-300

Montana of 300, rapper

See also

  • List of Illinois suffragists
  • Lists of Americans

References

Sources