I’ve presented at over 125 public meetings since 2009. I’ve taught undergraduate and graduate level classes on public policy, leadership, civic engagement and community organizing at five Chicago universities. I’ve curated 90 public workshops on a wide range of civic subjects taught by noted experts. I’ve designed and delivered a wide range of civic training workshops via The POWER Institute.

Here are the topics I can present on/conduct workshops around:

• Why Chicago is NOT broke and how to think of city fiscal policy
• Who is pushing to privatize and how to fight privatization
• The need to defend and expand the public sector
• How Tax Increment Financing (TIFs) work and how to organize against them
• What is a city for?
• Fighting the Olympics and other mega projects
• History of Chicago’s toxic civics
• The plight of America’s nonprofit sector and the need for nonprofit leaders to run for office
• Basics of community organizing
• The role of creativity in democracy and community development

If yo are interested in a workshop, book presentation, TIF public forum or other appearance, please call 773-770-5714 or email tom@civiclab.us,

There are only a few people courageous enough to sift through the lies and tangled webs that proves Chicago isn’t broke, but the politics are. Most people won’t take the time to do the research, but Tom Tresser and his team have and this book should be on your list.”                                           – Karen Lewis, President, Chicago Teachers Union

“This is a critical time in our country’s history and now, more than ever, we need our voters to be able to make informed decisions. That’s where CivicLab’s TIF Illumination Project comes in. Tom will bring your community the undisputed facts about the TIFs in your area, their values and any projects that are funded by those TIFs. As I learned in my TIF Illumination, the information Tom provides passes any scrutiny from the Machine and can turn a small meeting into enlightening discussion of civic affairs. This is a resource I invite you to take advantage of and share with your community. You wouldn’t lead an army into battle unarmed. Don’t lead voters to the polls uninformed.” – William L. Smith – Organizer of 34th Ward TIF Town Meeting.