# Chicago billionaire Michael Sacks

> Chicago billionaire Michael Sacks now opposes Mayor Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union in mayoral race.
- Title: Chicago billionaire Michael Sacks · Chicago Sun-Times
- Summary: Chicago billionaire Michael Sacks now opposes Mayor Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union in mayoral race. Chicago billionaire Michael Sacks is a major…
- Keywords: michael sacks, brandon johnson, ctu, chicago teachers union, mayoral race, democratic party, chicago politics, political opposition, school board candidates, corporate head tax, news, local
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdogs/2026/10/16/michael-sacks-profile-chicago-billionaire-mayoral-race-brandon-johnson-alexi-giannoulias-rahm-emanuel
- Published: 2026-10-16T18:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: michael sacks, brandon johnson, ctu, chicago teachers union, mayoral race, democratic party, chicago politics, political opposition, school board candidates, corporate head tax, news, local
## Michael Sacks' political role
Michael Sacks, 64, has long been a fixture in Chicago politics and is a major Democratic donor.
## Sacks' relationship with Johnson
Four years ago, Sacks wrote a $200,000 check to Brandon Johnson’s inaugural committee and advised him on setting up his administration.
## Johnson names Sacks as opponent
When Johnson launched his campaign for a second term last month, he named Michael Sacks as his primary political opponent.
## Sacks' past political work
Sacks helped recruit JB Pritzker to run for governor and was Emanuel’s point person on economic development and education funding.
## Sacks' current political actions
Sacks now supports Common Ground Collective, targeting Johnson’s City Council allies and anti-CTU school board candidates.
## Sacks' financial history
Sacks made his first million by age 30 and grew Grosvenor from a small firm to managing $91 billion in assets.
## Sacks' school funding role
Sacks was the architect of the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund that shared wealth from downtown development with neglected neighborhoods.
## Sacks' connection to Emanuel
Sacks and former Mayor Rahm Emanuel worked closely, with Sacks advising him on economic development and school funding.
## Sacks' role in school funding formula
Sacks helped secure an evidence-based school funding formula that produced hundreds of millions for Chicago Public Schools.
## CTU's criticism of Sacks
Jackson Potter, vice president of the Chicago Teachers Union, says Sacks supported school closures and dismantling public education.
## Sacks' defense of his actions
Sacks claims he cares about public education and has a long history of supporting Chicago schools.
## Sacks' political donations
Sacks has spent $9.2 million on Illinois-specific Democratic candidates or causes since the beginning of last year.
## Sacks' support for Giannoulias
Sacks has given about $500,000 to mayoral challenger Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.
## Sacks' AIPAC contributions
Sacks has made off-and-on contributions to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee since the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023.
## Sacks' conflict with Davis Gates
Sacks and Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates had a falling out over political donations and accusations.
## Johnson's attack on Sacks
Johnson accused Sacks of being the driving force behind his failed corporate head tax and the CTU's opposition.
## Key takeaway

Chicago billionaire Michael Sacks is a major Democratic donor who has become a chief foe of Mayor Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union in the mayoral election.