About us

  • CivicLab CEO’s Statement on Release of Illinois TIF Data

    by - Aug 24, 2023
    The CivicLab’s TIF Illumination Project continues to unearth how public dollars and resources are being utilized to enrich the pockets of a cabal of politicians and developers who seemingly have the sole interest...
  • Muckrock Foundation Grant Will Illuminate ALL Illinois TIFs!

    by - Jan 10, 2023
    The MuckRock Foundation has awarded the CivicLab a grant of $10,000 from its Gateway Program to investigate and expose ALL the Tax Increment Financing Districts in Illinois. The CivicLab will be examining all...
  • Get Headlines from 2021 TIF Report

    by - Dec 24, 2022
    Tom Tresser was interviewd on “Outside the Loop” Radio on December 24, 2022. He breaks down Chicago’s out-of-control TIF program for 2021. He offers an ALTERNATIVE to using TIFs for economic development. Tweet
  • Donate/Support

    by - Dec 16, 2022
    The CivicLab is a Black-led 501 c 3 nonprofit “do tank” for civic engagement and social justice. Please consider supporting our work: Tweet
  • Purchase TIF Swag!

    by - Jul 28, 2015
    How would you like a TIF Illumination Project poster created by our czarina of design, Carlyn So? Or how about a hand-made DVD containing our two TIF training videos, “TIF 101” and “TIFs...
  • CivicLab Closes June 30

    by - Jun 28, 2015
    After two years of hosting organizations and efforts aimed at making Chicago a better and more just city the CivicLab must close its doors on June 30, 2015.We invite you comment on our...
  • TIF Video Project Crowdfunding Campaign Launched!

    by - Oct 27, 2014
    Do you want EVERYONE to get Illuminated? If you do, will you please make an investment in our first crowdfunding campaign? We are seeking to raise $15,000 to produce five twenty minute videos...
  • Interview Reveals Tom’s Back Story

    by - Sep 8, 2014
    CivicLab co-founder Tom Tresser was interviewed for the master designer series of podcasts produced by the American Design and Master-Craft Initiative. The podcst is 47 minutes long. What does Tom have to do...
  • All TIF Presentations Now Available

    by - Sep 4, 2014
    Since February of 2013 The TIF Illumination Project has Illuminated 127 TIFs across 29 wards in front of some 3,400 people. In case you missed any of those thrilling presentations, you can now...
  • TIF Presentations Viewed 44,000+ Times!

    by - Aug 30, 2014
    We upload all the TIF presentations to http://www.slideshare.net/tomtee. These presentations have been viewed over 44,000 times! The champ is the two presentations on the 27th ward which were viewed a total 4,292 times.Thar...