When it comes to understanding the businesses that make an economy run, privately held companies can present somewhat of a blind spot. These businesses are not required to disclose nearly as much information as publicly traded companies, so keeping track of the major players takes some work. Crain’s researchers spend months each year collecting revenue and employment data from nearly 400 of the Chicago area’s leading private companies. While the vast majority of the information comes directly from the companies themselves, researchers also create well-informed estimates where needed to show the full picture.
The 100 largest privately held companies in the Chicago area are listed below. The extended version of our list features more than 340 companies with at least $90 million in 2023 revenue. It’s available to all-access subscribers and provides exclusive information on revenue, employment and key contacts.
