Category Archives: Tools for Change

“TIF Atlas” Now On Sale!

Now you can own the data that has been driving the TIF Illumination Project all over the city for the past 18 months! Download your very own “TIF Atlas of Chicago Wards” at the TIF Data Store.

We’re using the new ward maps and you’ll see the shapes and names of all the TIF districts as well as the projects funded by TIFs IN EACH WARD. The projects are numbered and all you have to do is look to the appendix in the back of the Atlas to see the name, address, developer and amount of TIF dollars that went to that project. BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! We also plot on each ward map all the schools that were CLOSED or cut in 2013. In the back we list the closed schools and list all the cuts that we know of for each public school. More info: tom@civiclab.us.

All TIF Presentations Now Available!

Download all the presentations from the ward Illuminations made from the TIF Illumination Project. Only $2.50 each.

CivicLab Profiled In Progress Illinois

The CivicLab was profiled in the June 27th edition of Progress Illinois.

“July marks one year since the CivicLab, a non-profit organization, opened its “democracy design studio” in the West Loop of Chicago.

Looking ahead, one of the CivicLab’s co-founders says big plans are in the pipeline for year two of the co-working space, which is dedicated to collaboration, education and innovation for social change and civic engagement.

Seven organizations focused on issues such as housing justice, voter registration and health care are currently working out of the CivicLab’s storefront, located at 114 N. Aberdeen St.

Other activists, designers, educators and tech experts also gather and do research at the space, which is housed in a rehabbed 1890s firehouse that sits across the street from Harpo Studios, where “The Oprah Winfrey Show” was previously filmed.

In addition to offering a place where people can collaborate, the CivicLab hosts educational workshops and is behind the volunteer-based TIF Illumination Project, which is working to promote transparency around Chicago’s controversial tax increment financing (TIF) program.” [read the full article]

Get Civic Smart @ The CivicLab

Come by and visit The Civic Lab @ 114 N. Aberdeen Street. Take a workshop. Teach a workshop. Co-work here. Intern here .

CivicLab Helps Design “I, Citizen”

The CivicLab is helping to build the “I, Citizen Project” with the folks from the Museum of Contemporary Phenomena. This interactive experience will be unfolding at the Columbia College Glass Curtain Gallery in April.

I, Citizen – The Activist Game MAKERS Workshop from Helen Slade on Vimeo.

CivicLab Profiled In NBC Chicago’s “Ward Room”

Check out this great profile of The CivicLab from NBC Chicago’s “Ward Room.”

Design A Game About Social Change!

Help design a game about activism and social change! http://icitizen.eventbrite.com

Let’s Do Change The Game In Chicago!

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.

MoveOn Supports CivicLab Online TIF Petition!

MoveOn has awarded the CivicLab a $1,000 Opportunity Fund grant to support the TIF IlluminationProject’s online petition drive aimed at getting the $1.7 billion in property tax funds that were in TIF accounts on January 1, 2013 distributed to the units of government that should’ve received those funds in the first place. Over 3,000 people have signed in three weeks! Thanks, MoveOn!