Meet Liam
My family’s story is a lot like Chicago’s. My grandparents were immigrants from Ireland. They came here with almost nothing, knowing Chicago was a place where a better life was possible. My grandfather cleaned streetcars for the Chicago Surface Lines and raised nine kids in a two-bedroom apartment on Devon Avenue. It wasn’t glamorous, but with hard work, community and lots of laughter, the dream was theirs.
My dad followed that same path. He served as a Chicago police officer and worked side jobs to support eight kids. We grew up in Rogers Park with neighbors who looked out for one another. Our parents taught us that when people work hard and come together to get things done, good things can happen. Chicago worked for us because effort led somewhere.
I’m proud to be raising my own family here. I worked full time to support them while earning my MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management on nights and weekends. I’ve spent my career building and fixing things — from growing small businesses that created jobs in the city, to leading a large manufacturing company with thousands of employees worldwide, turning it from stagnation to growth. I’ve also started small businesses of my own — including one that helped teachers, artists, and other local workers earn extra income by connecting them with Chicago small businesses that valued their talents. And another that uses technology to help small businesses level the playing field with their biggest competitors.
Along the way, I founded the Chicago Style Project to push for bold, practical solutions to some of Chicago’s biggest challenges — supporting small business growth, strengthening neighborhoods, and pushing for a city government that works better for the people it serves.
Most weekends, you’ll find me on the sideline coaching my son’s basketball team.
