Free Educational Topics in Chicago

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Now the speaker will contact you in the next few days to coordinate details.

  • A Consumer’s Guide to Going Solar

    Christina Uzzo, Environmental Outreach Coordinator, Citizens Utility Board (CUB)

    Are you interested in going solar? Learn if solar is right for your home and how to get the most value out of your solar system from consumer advocate experts. In 2019, CUB staffers gave over 70 solar presentations, and we are excited to answer all your solar questions! MORE >

    CUB is very excited about new solar incentives available to homeowners in Illinois. However, we know that with all the new advertising and high pressure sales pitches it can be confusing to know what is best for you. At this presentation we will go over solar basics, including:
    ---why now is the best time yet to go solar,
    ---how solar panels work with your home and the grid,
    ---an overview of state and federal incentives,
    ---why it is almost always better to purchase, rather than lease solar panels.

    Please note that depending on my availability, another one of our trained outreach staff may take my place as speaker at your meeting, but I will confirm when you contact me.

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  • Applying for Medicaid and Protecting Assets

    Matthew Margolis, Partner, Margolis Weldon LLC

    Learn about Medicaid eligibility in Illinois nursing homes and how to protect assets when applying. A lot of people think that if they don't protect their assets 5 years in advance, they are out of luck. This is not the case and many people are continuing to spend down their assets in nursing homes until they have nothing when they could be protecting some for their spouse, children, or grandchildren. MORE >

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  • Building High Performance Teams

    Bob Miller, Founder and CEO, PFCC Group

    High performance teams don't just happen. They require good leadership and a good operational game plan that includes shared vision, the right people, personal commitment and accountability.

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  • Carbon Pricing – What’s In It for You?

    Mike Zanillo, Illinois State Coordinator, Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL)

    **** COVID-19 Note - Available as Virtual Session via Zoom **** There’s growing support for carbon pricing as a necessary step to address climate change. It’s supported by 88 countries and a broad array of public interest groups yet most Americans know very little about carbon pricing. MORE >

    The discussion related to Climate Change can be confusing to many. Often, there is uncertainty of what Climate Change is, what are its effects and what can be done about it.

    The Citizens Climate Lobby, is a national nonprofit, non-partisan organization that provides presentations to groups such as Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs, League of Women Voters groups, college clubs and other local groups.

    The presentation will educate, enable, and entertain your group members. The presentation can include short videos, slides, stories and time for audience questions. While the length of the presentation is at your discretion, the following topics will be covered.

    Come to learn how Carbon Pricing:
    • Is viewed as the most effective policy for climate action
    • Will speed a transition to renewable energy
    • Considered as being a fair and just policy
    • Provides co-benefits of economic growth and jobs
    • Is gaining support on a bi-partisan basis
    • How you can support a carbon pricing policy

    After participating in our meetings, participants often feel more informed, energized and hopeful for a future stable climate. There will be no solicitation of donations or attempts to sell anything.

    Please contact me if you would like to discuss this opportunity for a presentation of this timely topic.

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  • Career Readiness Before College

    Georgia Koch, Community Outreach Coordinator, Career Vision

    College planning is not just for college but for career planning as well. Believe it or not, sophomore year of high school is not too early to start. Georgia will show audiences why.

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  • Climate Change: The Earth Calls to Us

    Richard Treptow, PhD, Professor, Chicago State University (retired)

    Earth’s temperature has increased over the past century. Richard will review the causes, consequences and cures for climate change because we need to protect the world our children soon will inherit.

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  • Demonstrating and Teaching Mental Math Methods

    Cliff Petrak, Retired Teacher, Brother Rice High School

    Learn to master a multitude of little-known, super-shortcut computational methods involving addition, subtraction, fractions, squaring and multiplication. Unfortunately, our country consistently finishes among the bottom third of industrialized countries in the annual mental math competition for students. Learning these strategies and methods will leave your calculator-dependent friends in the dust!

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  • Energy Efficiency, Utility Bills, & Your Home

    Christina Uzzo, Environmental Outreach Coordinator, Citizens Utility Board (CUB)

    Wouldn’t it be great to do your part to save the environment, and save money at the same time? Here in Illinois, it’s possible--thanks to a number of statewide policies that CUB fought long and hard for. In this talk, I’ll give you the lowdown on how you can benefit from cost saving energy efficiency programs. MORE >

    CUB is a non-profit, statewide utility watchdog organization created in 1983 to work for lower gas, electric and telephone rates. CUB has been on your side for 30 years—blocking utility rate hikes, winning consumer refunds and helping to pass important consumer protection laws. Our outreach team has spoken at hundreds of community meetings across Illinois and would love to come to yours!

    Please note that depending on my availability, another one of our trained outreach staff may take my place as speaker at your meeting, but I will confirm when you contact me.

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  • Estate Planning 101: Trusts Aren’t Just for the Pritzkers

    Matthew Margolis, Partner, Margolis Weldon LLC

    Learn the difference between Wills and Trusts and why a will isn't enough protection. Understand the vast importance of powers of attorney and the consequences of not having them in place.

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  • Exploring Careers with a Social Impact

    Matt Kinnich, CEO, Roland, Ruth & Mitchell

    This presentation is for individuals, teams and/or organizations that want to explore careers with a social impact. The presentation is a combination of Matt’s social impact journey and an interactive workshop for participants. Participants will engage in the following: MORE >

    • 1-2 things you hope to get out of today’s presentation
    • Matt’s social impact career journey
    • What are you Passionate about?
    • What are your Strengths?
    • Passions & Strengths – what’s the intersection?
    • How do I explore options & opportunities?
    • Individual/Group questions
    • What actions am I willing to do next?
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