All your questions answered

Who's eligible for Crain's 40 Under 40?
Anyone working in the Chicago area who will be 39 or younger as of Oct. 14, 2024.

I nominated someone last year. Can I nominate them again?
Yes, but only if they weren't chosen as an honoree. Previous honorees are not eligible.

May I nominate myself?
Of course!

What are the criteria?
For each 40 Under 40 class, we look for a cross-section of people from the wide range of industries we cover — technology, consumer products, real estate, health care, finance, government, nonprofits, etc. — who are proven leaders in their field.

How do I nominate someone?
Visit our nomination page. If you do not have an account, you will be asked to create one before you can proceed with the nomination form. We recommend using Chrome or Firefox web browsers to complete your application. Note, your ChicagoBusiness.com account is separate from an account you create for 40 Under 40 or any other Chicago Business recognition program.

How much does it cost to submit a nomination?
The fee is $199. Nomination fees may be paid via credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express). Nomination fees are non-refundable.  

What's the deadline for nominations?
May 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. CT

Can I call you to make sure my nomination went through?
No need. The nomination platform will confirm receipt of a completed submission. Please resist the urge to make follow-up calls or send emails.

Can I fax or mail in my nomination?
No. Only submissions that come to us via the online form will be accepted.

Can I call you to pitch my candidate?
No calls, please. Reporters will reach out to candidates once the nomination period closes.

Will I be informed if my nominee is NOT selected?
No. Only selected honorees will be informed in advance of publication of our annual 40 Under 40 issue.

When will honorees be notified?
On or before Oct. 1, 2024.

If I have not heard from Crain's by Oct. 1, does that mean my nominee was not selected?
Yes, that would be a fair assumption.

When does the story appear in print?
On ChicagoBusiness.com on Oct. 14, 2024, and in that day's print edition.

May I see an example of past 40 Under 40s?
Sure. Go to ChicagoBusiness.com/40s to see the most recent list of honorees. 

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