Listen to this in-depth interview with Jim Vail, publisher of Second City Teachers, which covers all things Chicago public education and the Teacher’s Union (1 hour). Thanks, Jim! Here is my analysis of two major TIF studies (from Loyola University and the University of Illinois Chicago). Free registration is required to access content on the TIF Illumination Project website.
I’ll be lighting up the TIFs of Maywood, Illinois on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at the Maywood Park District, 921 9th Avenue at 2pm. This Illumination is sponsored by Concerned Citizens of the Village of Maywood. And they SHOULD be concerned because it appears that the mayor wants to turn the entire village in a giant TIF! It will be my 236th TIF Illumination – egads! Let us know you are coming.
The 100K Project (http://www.100kproject.us) is all about artists and creative workers using their creative superpowers to organize for power, to run for local office (or help someone to run) in order to govern for the common good. Listen to this interview with Dr. Frances McGarry of “First Online with Fran” here. Contact us at info@100kproject.us.
Creative leadership workshop online – Sunday October 4, from 10am-11:30am Central Time. This is part of the national Fall Of Freedom national call to action. No charge. Join here. Let’s NOT have freedom fall, OK? Instead, let’s talk about how artists and creative workers can get some real power to govern for the common good. Let’s talk about how artists can RISE to the occasion as civic leaders, including running for local office and helping others to run. Part of the 100K Project.
Join me on Thursday morning October 1 at 11am Central Time at the Grace Church in Logan Square for a creative and interactive leadership/candidate training workshop! We are the leaders we have been waiting for. This event is part of the Social Justice Theater Festival produced by the Still Point Theatre Collective and is part of the 100K Project. Find out more and register. We are the leaders we have been waiting for!
Join us on September 17 at 7pm in Warren Park when we Illuminate the TIFs of the 50th Ward. This will be my 235th TIF town meeting! I wonder if the press will cover it… If you plan on attending, you may want to call the local media and you may want to come a but early as seating is limited.
Join us on August 20th in the 21st Ward for our 234th TIF Illumination! The TIF Illumination Project has been in the field since 2013! Thanks to 10 X 10 To Win for hosting! Please consider supporting this work with a non-deducible contribution.
Merle and Tom Tresser told the story of they met at the February 16, 2026 edition of StoryLab Chicago at Mrs. Murphy’s Irish Pub in Chicago. It was a miracle that had some real civic repercussions 😊! The event is on every third Thursday and it’s free! Doors open at 7pm for a 7:30pm show. Usually 6 stories are shared and it’s completely open – you can sign up to tell a story, and you WILL be called on. There is one mandatory rehearsal with master teller/story whisperer Scott Whitehair – who is amazing – This is for ANYONE with a story to tell. Check out https://www.storylabchicago.com/2026.html. Listen at https://soundcloud.com/civiclab/m-t-4-16-25 (12:04)
Read my TIF Challenge in Sheltforce. I am hoping some organization with staff, heft, resources, and passion will take this work over. The TIF Illumination Project needs a home! Reach me at tom@tresser.com.
I was interviewed by the dulcet-toned Mike Stephen for his “Outside the Loop” progam on WGN Radio on Saturday, February 28. We talked about greedy billionaires seeking billions of public dollars for private projects – like the Bears new stadium – and the need for a more expansive and generous civic imagination. It’s the first segment of the show.
** Sign this petition – “No Public Subsidies for Megaprojects! (ESPECIALLY for the Bears Stadium)“ **
I made a special offer to Mike’s listeners – 50% off the already low price of “Chicago Is Not Broke. Funding the City We Deserve” – Get the book with $5 billion of progressive and sustainable revenue solutions for Chicago for just ten bucks (plus tax and shipping)! What a civic deal! This offer is only good with the right promo code (listen and you will learn) and only through March 28. I produced this book in 2016 and in 2024 updated it with a whole new section! Order the book today – get multiple copies and start a civic book club :)!
Sign and share this petition directed to the leaders of the Democratic Party. It’s the only way to save democracy in America.