Top private / alternative investments financial advisors in Illinois
The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.
If you're considering private or alternative investments, you likely want to diversify beyond traditional stocks and bonds. A common pitfall is underestimating the complexity and illiquidity (difficulty selling quickly) of these investments, which can affect your overall financial plan.
- Illiquidity risks. Ask how they evaluate the trade-offs between potential returns and the difficulty of selling these investments when you need cash.
- Portfolio fit. Confirm how they determine the right share of private or alternative assets based on your goals and risk tolerance.
- Fee structures. These investments often have unique fees; check how the advisor explains and manages these costs.
- Tax implications. Even though Illinois doesn't tax retirement income, property taxes can be high; see how they factor state-specific taxes into your investment strategy.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
-
Kristen K
CFP®, Series 66
Chicago, IL
McAdam LLC
Kristen Koonce specializes in private and alternative investments, offering expertise in managing the complexities and illiquidity risks associated with these assets. Based in Chicago, she provides flat-fee and negotiable AUM pricing through McAdam LLC, a firm known for fundamental analysis and diversified portfolios, including alternative strategies, which may appeal to clients seeking a broad investment approach with flexible fee options.
Experience: 13 years
Avg account: $481,124
-
Cole S
CFP®, Series 66
Wheaton, IL
Brookstone Capital Management LLC
Cole Swearingen specializes in private and alternative investments, offering expertise in ESG investing, active portfolio management, and options strategies, which suits investors seeking diversified, complex asset classes in Illinois. His firm, Brookstone Capital Management, provides negotiable fees up to 2.5% annually and fixed financial planning fees, serving a broad client base including institutions and business owners, distinguishing him with a large-firm platform and a practical business owner perspective.
Experience: 4 years
Avg account: $231,028
-
James A
Series 66
Chicago, IL
William Blair
James Alverson specializes in private and alternative investments, leveraging 11 years of experience and a Series 66 designation to navigate the complexities and illiquidity risks of these assets. Operating within William Blair's large-firm environment, he offers active, research-driven portfolio management and access to proprietary private funds, which may appeal to executives and business owners seeking tailored wealth management solutions in Illinois.
Experience: 11 years
Avg account: $1,492,448
-
Thomas W
Series 63, Series 65
Wilmette, IL
Northpoint Advisory LLC
Thomas Wiscomb specializes in private and alternative investments, offering expertise in real estate investing and business succession planning, which suits clients seeking to diversify beyond traditional assets in Illinois. His independent firm, Northpoint Advisory LLC, employs a core/satellite investment approach focusing on principal protection and liquidity, with flat-fee financial planning options and experience serving high-net-worth individuals, setting him apart from advisors with different fee structures or client focuses.
Experience: 20 years
Avg account: $5,100,214
-
John B
Series 63, Series 65
Chicago, IL
Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC
John Braeseke's 39 years of experience and expertise in private and alternative investments make him well-equipped to navigate the complexities and illiquidity risks associated with these asset classes. Operating from Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC, he offers a flat-fee structure and serves high-net-worth clients with a long-term, diversified investment approach, distinguishing him from others by combining seasoned insight with customized portfolio management and affiliated pooled investment vehicles.
Experience: 39 years
Avg account: $2,570,643
Want help finding the right advisor?
Answer a few questions to see advisors matched to you.
Advisors focused on
People also searched
Popular in Illinois
Find advisors by type
Not sure where to start?
We'll help you think it through—whether you ultimately need an advisor or not. Warmer helps you compare advisors clearly, so you can choose with confidence.
For advisor listings, we rely on sources including public filings and data provided by advisors, and we cannot guarantee that all information is current or accurate. Advisors are independent and may not have reviewed or updated this information. Please review an advisor's Form ADV and do your own diligence before deciding whether to work with them.
Advisor matching and referrals are provided by FinanceHQ LLC ("FHQ"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warmer and an SEC-registered investment adviser. We may be compensated by participating advisors. You pay no fee to use our matching service, and advisor fees are not increased because of a referral. We do not supervise advisors, manage or hold assets, guarantee performance, or provide advice about specific investments.
By using our service, you agree to the Warmer Terms of Service and FHQ Advisory Agreement, and acknowledge Warmer's Privacy Policy. Please review FHQ's ADV Part 2A and Form CRS. Logos provided by Logo.dev
© 2026 Warmer Holdings Inc. ("Warmer")