I was on WVON’s morning drive-time show with Matt McGill this morning. We discussed NSA spying, Tax Increment Financing, community development and Chicago politics (30 minutes).
Tom On WVON 12/17/13
Category Archives: Civic Life
Let’s Do Change The Game In Chicago!
“Who Owns West Woodlawn?” Community Forum
I’ll be presenting on the TIFs of the 20th Ward at this community forum.
Tom Teaches Workshop On Nonprofit Basics
Is there a cause you feel passionate about? Is there an injustice that needs righting? Are you inspired to serve and innovate for the common good?
If so – then you may be thinking about starting a nonprofit organization to channel your efforts and deliver new solutions for your community.
This two hour workshop will walk you through the reasons to and NOT to start a nonprofit organization and what your first steps should be in you DO decide to start a new organization.
$15. Please register online via EventBrite = https://np101-11-6.eventbrite.com.
You will learn:
- Basic distinctions of the nonprofit organization
- Origins and place of nonprofits in American society
- Size and scope of the nonprofit sector
- Pathway to incorporate and get tax-exempt status
Tom Tresser is the instructor for this class. Tom is the co-founder of the CivicLab, which is the 13th nonprofit enterprise he has founded or led. He teaches nonprofit management for the Graduate School of Social Work at Loyola University and a number of classes on civic engagement, public policy and leadership for other local educational institutions.
My (Brief) Vision For Chicago
I was asked to give a few “now what” remarks at the end of this forum on running for office in 2015 as progressive standard bearer. Listen to these remarks (with introduction, 4 1/2 minutes).
Hey, Brad, Here’s An Idea – Let’s NOT Privatize Chicago
Chicago Ideas Week founder and chief honcho Brad Keywell (Groupon) ran a full page ad in today’s Chicago Tribune (my scanner isn’t big enough to get it all – this is like one third)…
Thing is, Brad and his wife, Kim each gave the mayor $5,300 for his re-election effort. This from his campaign’s October 2 A-1 report.
The ad gushes about Emanuel, “His vision is raising a city higher than its tallest buildings.” Really? What about the 49 school closings. The $68 million in cuts to the neighborhood schools left standing. The closing of public health clinics. The layoffs of public sector workers. The cuts in service to the CTA. The ever expanding privatization of city services – likehow we pay to get onto subways and buses and the pending shut down of city mammogram programs.
So here’s an idea for Chicago Ideas Week – throw the investment bankers out of City Hall and end the patronage, corruption and insider trading that stands for public policy here. We need MORE public, not less.
DePaul Forum On Proposed Stadium Illuminates 2nd Ward
Students as DePaul organized a public forum on the proposed DePaul Stadium and asked for an Illumination of the 17 TIFs inside the 2nd Ward – spotlighting the site and adjacent TIFs. This research is from The TIF Illumination Project. If you want a copy of this presentation please email tom@civiclab.us.
The Global Cardboard Challenge Comes To CivicLab!
The CivicLab is thrilled to host the Chicago version of the Global Card Board Challenge on October 5, from1pm to 4pm.
Watch this video and YOU will want to play with us!
This is a kid’s event and is perfect way for a family to foster imagination and engaged play AND expose kids to design, science, engineering and a whole lot more. There is no charge but you must read the directions and register via EventBrite.
WBEZ Explains The TIF Program
Watch this creative and fast moving seven minute video from WBEZ’s “Curious City” Project. Learn more at the CivicLab’s TIF Illumination Project. Do I look better animated?
39th Ward Illuminated
Lord, it was HOT inside the Belding School auditorium tonight! And it just got HOTTER after the five TIFs of the 39th were Illuminated. Alderman Laurino was a no-show, No surprise. View all the TIF Illuminations here. Sign the petition to the Mayor – Empty The TIFs!. Read coverage from Progress Illinois.