Dorothy Tucker - A nine time Emmy award winner, Tucker has been a reporter for CBS 2 Chicago since 1984. Her long career has included stops in Pittsburgh, Denver, Memphis, and Peoria. Tucker has been honored by the Chicago Association of Black Journalists for Outstanding Television Reporting (1994 and 87) and has received a national UPI Spot News Award. She is on the board of NABJ-Chicago (National Association of Black Journalists) and is currently a member of Northwestern University's Council of One Hundred.

Howard Miller (1912-1994) - For nearly two decades on WIND, Howard Miller was the number one radio personality in Chicago. In 1957, Time Magazine claimed Miller had the largest local audience in the nation with nearly two million audience members a week, and was "probably the single biggest influence on record sales." He would go on to own several stations of his own in Illinois and elsewhere.

Jim Cantalupo (November 14, 1943-2004) - As chairman and CEO of McDonalds Corporation between 1991 and 2002, and again between 2003-2004, Cantalupo focused McDonalds on international expansion and turning the company into a global brand.

John Calamos (1940-present) - As Founder and CEO of Calamos Asset Management, Calamos used his investment acumen to earn a spot on Forbes 400 list of wealthiest individuals. A former Air Force Pilot, Calamos attended I.I.T. and is the author of two books, Investing in Convertible Securities: Your Complete Guide to the Risks and Rewards, and Convertible Securities: the Latest Instruments, Portfolio Strategies, and Valuation Analysis.

Sondra Gair (September 1, 1923 - 1994) - As the creator and host of Midday on WBEZ, Gair became a broadcast legend. Starting in 1986, "Midday with Sondra Gair" covered breaking news from around the world. A hallmark of the show was pairing the leading newsmakers of the day with phone calls from listeners. Before journalism, Gair made her mark as a radio actress in the 1040's. The name of the show was changed to Worldview after her death, and is hosted by her former producer.

1920's - The Austin High Gang started with six students from Austin High School who enjoyed playing jazz and are credited with creating the Chicago Jazz Style. Though the Austin High Gang never recorded together, every member of the group went on to become influential jazz musicians in their own right. The original members were Bud Freeman (saxophone), Jim Lanigan (string bass/tuba), Dick McPartland (banjo/guitar), Jimmy McPartland (cornet), Dave North (Piano), Frank Teschemacher - (clarinet.) Dave Tough, of Oak Park, played drums. Chicago musicians, Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, and Pee Wee Russel were also connected to the Austin High Gang during this time.