Day 190: Chicago's Money People: Allen M. Turner

     Over the course of this blog, we've already talked about two families, the Pritzkers and the Rices.  The next one of these philanthropists that we're talking about is a gentleman by the name of Allen Turner.  Allen M. Turner is the past chairman of Columbia College's Board of Trustees, but he first got his start in 1965 when he joined The Pritzker Organization, where he was eventually made partner.

     With all of that success, Mr. Turner has been quite active in the world of philanthropy, with some of the highlights of his generosity being as follows: chairing the executive committee of Hyatt International Corporation, being the Chairman of the Board of the Chicago Mill & Lumber Company, as well as being the Chairman of the Board of McCall's Magazine.  By the 1970s, his philanthropic interests had turned to the theater world. and he was the first chairman of the Victory Gardens Theatre, playing an instrumental role in steering the theatre towards financial stability.  Later on, he served some time on the board of the Goodman Theatre.

     But Turner's true area of expertise is in the area of the arts.  He became the Chairman of the Board of the Museum of Contemporary Art in 1991.  His term saw the museum construct its current building, as well as a Capital Campaign that saw the museum grow from a small storefront operation to the renowned institution that it is today.  But his philanthropic efforts haven't been limited to just the MCA.  Turner has also served on an art committee at the University of Chicago, as well as on the boards of the  Art Institute, Pritzker Architecture Prize, and the Newberry Library, amongst others.

     His generosity has been recognized by bodies around the world, garnering him honors such as the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the Republic of France, being made an honorary Knight of Malta, being named to the Official Seat of The Hague, and many more honors.  The city of Chicago recognized him for his efforts as well by designating a stretch of East Pearson Street with the honorific Allen M. Turner Place.

Day 62: Chicago's Money Families-The Rices

     As you might remember from our previous entry on this topic, there are quite a few families in Chicago that have not only been blessed with extraordinary riches, but who have also paid it forward and given to various organizations throughout the city.  This time around, we'll be focusing on the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation, established by Daniel Rice and his wife Ada, so as to give back some of their monies to their city.

     Daniel Rice went to the Chicago Public Schools, and then to DePaul and Notre Dame.  Upon graduation, he went on to found a commodity brokerage that was successful for over 35 years, until it merged with another company in 1960.  Aside from that, the Rices became involved in the world of Thoroughbred racing, purchasing a horse farm in Wheaton in 1929.  This farm also included a stable with capacity for 25 horses, as well as a training area for the horses.  Later on, a tunnel was built under the road so that the horses could get from their stables to the training area.  Daniel Rice was also on the board of the Arlington Race Track, as well as being a part owner of the Los Angeles Dons of the All-American Football Conference.

     In 1947, the Rices set up their charitable foundation, which still exists to this day.  Some of the places they have left their name have been:

• The Rice Foundation Amphitheater at the Shedd Aquarium
• The Rice Gallery at the Field Museum
• The Rice Building at the Art Institute
• The Rice Grand Foyer at the Lyric Opera
• The Rice Pavilion in front of the Chicago History Museum
• The Rice Plant Resource Center at the Chicago Botanic Gardens
• The Rice Solarium and cafeteria at the Adler Planetarium
• And many more throughout the metropolitan area.

Day 27: Chicago's Money Families-The Pritzkers

     This being as big of a city as it is, naturally there are going to be some families who've got some good amounts of money lying around.  Now, going with the assumption that not all wealthy families are the living embodiments of C. Montgomery Burns, there are also bound to be a decent amount of highly philanthropic families.  Well, truth be told, you're right.  Chicago has a fair amount of rich, generous families.  One of those families are the Pritzkers.  The most famous and well-known of the company's holdings is the Hyatt hotel chain, but they have also had their fingers in the Superior Bank of Chicago, the TransUnion credit bureau, and Royal Caribbean cruise lines, to name a few.  And, here is a (non-exhaustive) list of some of the things that the Pritzker family has affixed their name on via donation in the city.

• The Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millenium Park
• The Cindy Pritzker Auditorium at the Harold Washington Library
• The Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago
• The Pritzker Military Library
• The Pritzker Hall of Cosmology at the Adler Planetarium
• Pritzker Park in the Loop
• And the list goes on...

     Of course with a combined net worth of over $19 Billion(as of 2011), the fact that they are so generous with their money isn't that surprising.  So, next time you're out on the town, look around.  You might be benefiting from the generosity of the Pritzkers.