Free Educational Topics in Chicago
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3: Browse for a topic, Click the orange request button, Fill out the contact form.
Now the speaker will contact you in the next few days to coordinate details.
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The Shifting Balance: Supreme Court Rulings and Their Impact on American Democracy
Ed Spire, Co-lead, Restore our Democracy Project, NWSOFA-Indivisible
The US Supreme Court is not just ensuring the laws are applied properly, and that they are constitutional, but the court is enacting policies they think are useful for our country - whether they are based on our constitution or not. MORE >
Presidential Immunity and Accountability: One of the most consequential rulings was the Court's decision on presidential immunity. In a 6-3 judgment, the Court ruled that former President Donald Trump could be tried for actions taken as a candidate, but not for those taken while in office.Federal Regulatory Authority: In another significant ruling, the Court limited the regulatory authority of federal agencies. By overturning a precedent that had guided federal regulations for decades, the Court has made it easier for regulations to be challenged in court.
Gun Control and the Second Amendment: The Supreme Court also made headlines with its decision to send several gun control cases back to lower courts for reconsideration. This move followed a major ruling that expanded Second Amendment rights, allowing for broader interpretations of gun ownership and use.
Implications for American Democracy: These rulings collectively reflect a shift towards a more conservative interpretation of the law. The impact on American democracy is profound; will undoubtedly shape the future of American democracy for years to come.
This presentation details the problems that SCOTUS is causing for our nation, and discusses what we can do about it.
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Congress Doesn’t Care What You Think
Ed Spire, Co-lead, Restore our Democracy Project, NWSOFA-Indivisible
this presentation addresses the problem of unlimited political money corrupting our democracy. We explain the problem clearly, and discuss the causes and possible solutions, including steps that we can take in our own communities to begin addressing this structural problem in our country. The presentation is non-partisan and brings issues to light which are of concern across the aisle. MORE >
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Making Cents of College Costs
Joseph Orsolini, President, College Aid Planners, Inc.
For most families college tuition is the largest expense they will face. Unfortunately, many families go into this stage in life uninformed and unprepared. Learn strategies that enable families of all income levels (not just low or moderate‐income) to make a college education more affordable and less of a financial burden.
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School board disinformation
Ed Spire, Co-lead, Restore our Democracy Project, NWSOFA-Indivisible
Our public school boards are under attack. Responsible school board members are being threatened, and reasonable school policies are being dismantled. We'll help you understand why, who is doing it, and what we can do about it.
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Cable Options and Reducing Robocalls
Citizens Utility Board (Illinois), Sustainable Communities Liaison , Citizens Utility Board (CUB)
A presentation about your cable options and reducing robocalls.
During the program, a CUB representative will discuss:
-The different choices in the TV market
-Ways to cut your cable costs
-Streaming services available to consumers
-How to avoid common robocall scams
-Call-blocking services and what they mean for your pocket
-New federal legislation passed helping to reduce robocalls
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Decarbonizing Your Home
Citizens Utility Board (Illinois), Sustainable Communities Liaison , Citizens Utility Board (CUB)
CUB will dive into ways renters and homeowners can access energy efficiency and cost-saving programs and appliances.
During this presentation, you will receive information on:
-Building Decarbonization
-The benefits of building electrification
-New tax credits and rebates for home energy improvements available through the Inflation Reduction Act
-Alternatives to gas appliances
-Free programs designed to save you energy and money
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Rising Economic Inequality: how much, why it happens, why it matters, and what we can do about it.
Ed Spire, Co-lead, Restore our Democracy Project, NWSOFA-Indivisible
Economic inequality has been rising in the US for decades, damaging our economy and society in the process. This presentation will discuss how high it has become, why it happens, how it damages our country, and what we can do about it.
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Home Energy Savings Presentation
Citizens Utility Board (Illinois), Sustainable Communities Liaison , Citizens Utility Board (CUB)
Learn about your energy choices and ways to save money on your utility bills.
During this presentation we will go over:
-Understanding your utility bills
-Your energy choices
-Energy efficiency programs that can help consumers save energy and money,
-and Solar options. -
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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What’s an Assault Weapon, and why are they so deadly?
Ed Spire, Co-lead, Restore our Democracy Project, NWSOFA-Indivisible
There's been a lot of discussion lately about tighter regulations on assault weapons like the AR-15. If we are going to regulate these weapons, we will need a legal definition describing them. And instead of a definition that depends upon specific configurations or cosmetic appearance, we propose a definition based on the factors that make this class of weapons so deadly. MORE >
This presentation focuses on the development of this class of weapons, the factors that make them so deadly, and how we can use those factors to legally define an "assault weapon" for future regulation thereof.