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This is a list of notable individuals who come from the state of Illinois, a state within the larger United States of America.
A[edit]
Aa–Ag
- Emma Abbott (1850–91), opera soprano. Born and raised in Illinois until age 16; funeral held in Illinois, but interred in Massachusetts.[1]
- 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.[2]
- Robert Sengstacke Abbott (1868–1940), African-American lawyer, newspaper publisher and editor. Studied law and had his newspaper career in Chicago.[3]
- Jessica Abel (1969–living), comic book writer and artist. Born and educated in Illinois.[4]
- Gertrude Abercrombie (1909–77), surrealist painter. Lived most of her life in Chicago and known for her association with the city.[5]
- Max Abramovitz (1908–2004), architect. Born and college-educated in Illinois.[6]
- Ben Abruzzo (1930–85), balloonist. Born and college-educated in Illinois.[7]
- Tony Accardo (1906–1992), organized crime figure. Born and lived entire life in Chicago metropolitan area.[8]
- Barbara Acklin (1943–98), singer. Came to Illinois aged five and resided until her death.[9]
- Ron Acks (1944–living), NFL linebacker 1968–76. Acks was born, attended high school and college in Illinois.[10]
- Valdas Adamkus (1926–living), 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.[11]
- 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.[12]
- 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.[13]
- John Hicks Adams (1820–78), gunslinger, Wild West lawman. Born and attended college in Illinois.[14]
- Katrina Adams (1968–living), president of United States Tennis Association. Born and educated in Illinois.[15]
- 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
- 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
- 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)
- 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!
- A.A. Ames, four-term mayor of Minneapolis
- Edward Ames, founder, McKendree University (born in Ohio)
- 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
- 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 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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[edit]
Ba–Bd
- Richard Bach, author, Jonathan Livingston Seagull
- Charlie Bachman, football coach, Kansas State, Florida, Michigan State
- 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 (born 2004), NBA basketball player[16]
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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- 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
- 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
- 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)
- 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
_by_Sandro_Halank%E2%80%93063.jpg)
- 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
- 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
- Ray Buchanan, NFL defensive back 1993–2004
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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
- 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[edit]
Ca–Cd
- 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 University of Nebraska 2004–07
- Frances Callier, actress, comedian, Hannah Montana
- Sarah Wayne Callies, actress, The Walking Dead
- 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
- Latham Castle, judge, Illinois Attorney General 1952-59
- John Castino, MLB infielder 1979–84, 1979 A.L. Rookie of the Year
- Anthony Castonzo, offensive lineman for Indianapolis Colts
- Frank Catalano, saxophonist
- Wayne Catalano, horse racing trainer
- 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
- 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)
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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, Family Guy
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Johnny Coulon, boxer, bantamweight champion 1910–14 (born in Canada)
- Jim Courtright, Wild West gunfighter, lawman
- Kirk Cousins, quarterback for Minnesota Vikings
- 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
- 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
- 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, 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[edit]
Da–Dd
- Bob Dahl, NFL lineman 1991–97
- Bill Daily, actor, I Dream of Jeannie, The Bob Newhart Show (born in Iowa)
- Jon Daker, viral video star, known for a video of him singing in an unusual manner on public access tv in 1990.
- 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, 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, Vice President of United States 1925–29, winner of Nobel Peace Prize (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
- 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
- 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, actress, The Partridge Family, L.A. Law
- Dennis DeYoung, musician for rock band Styx
Di–Dn
- 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
- 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
- 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[edit]
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)
- 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
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 Erlander, furniture manufacturer (born in Sweden)
- John N. Erlenborn, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative 1965–85
- 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[edit]
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
- 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, 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
- 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
- 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, 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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- 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
- 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[edit]
Ga–Gd
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- 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)
- 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, Eastern Illinois, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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- 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 and 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
- 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
- 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
- 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[edit]
Haa–Ham
- 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
- 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, 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
- 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, 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 Sr., politician (Democrat), U.S. Representative, Mayor of Chicago 1879–1887, 1893 (born in Kentucky)
- Carter Harrison Jr., 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-runnerup 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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- 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, Grammy-winning R&B singer, Oscar-winning actress, Dreamgirls
- Michael Hudson, economist
- Otis Hudson, NFL lineman 2010–14
- Rock Hudson, 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
- 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[edit]
- 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)
- 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[edit]
Ja–Jn
- 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
- 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
- Art 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[edit]
Ka–Kg
- 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
- 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
- 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)
- 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
- 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)
- 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, 2015 national pairs champion
- 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
