Events

Jun
13
Fri
Invisible Robbery Tour @ leaves from Henry George School, 30 E Adams #1207
Jun 13 @ 6:00 pm
Power structure along the tour route (Henry George School photo)
Power structure along the tour route (Henry George School photo0

Originating as a field trip for students completing our Progress & Poverty course, this stroll thru downtown Chicago examines some of the ways that average people, and the community as a whole, are deprived of their just earnings. Among other things we’ll see who benefits from the expensive infrastructure and “economic development” projects, how Thomas Jefferson wanted Chicago to fund its public schools, what happens when a well-located building burns down, and how land speculators get productive workers to pay their taxes. Expect to walk about 2 km, maybe we’ll stop for snacks (individual settlement) along the way.

A $10 donation is requested from those who are not recent or current HGS students or donors, but nobody will be excluded due to lack of funds. You can make your donation by credit card here, or bring cash or a check.

Sep
20
Sat
Invisible Robbery Tour @ leaves from Henry George School, 30 E Adams #1207
Sep 20 @ 2:00 pm
Stolen Statue Repossessed/Henry George School photo
Stolen Statue Repossessed/Henry George School photo

Originating as a field trip for students completing our Progress & Poverty course, this stroll thru downtown Chicago examines some of the ways that average people, and the community as a whole, are deprived of their just earnings. Among other things we’ll see who benefits from the expensive infrastructure and “economic development” projects, how Thomas Jefferson wanted Chicago to fund its public schools, what happens when a well-located building burns down, and how land speculators get their taxes paid by productive workers. Hardcopy sourced notes will be provided. Expect to walk about 2 km; maybe we’ll stop for snacks (individual settlement) along the way.

A $10 donation is requested from those who are not recent or current HGS students or donors, but nobody will be excluded due to lack of funds. If you have a paypal account, you can make your donation by credit card using the link below, or better yet bring cash or a check.


Oct
18
Sat
Economic Cycle tour of south loop and lakeshore @ Meet at the Henry George School
Oct 18 @ 2:00 pm
Photo Credit: John Picken Photography (cc) via flickr.
Photo Credit: John Picken Photography (cc) via flickr.

Bring your own bicycle (or rent a “shared” one from Divvy) and join HGS Instructor Bob Jene for a leisurely roll thru the near south area, including Grant Park, Museum Campus, Central Station, Prairie Avenue, and South Michigan Avenue. Taxpayers spent hundreds of millions for infrastructure and amenities serving these areas, resulting in redevelopment but also higher costs for housing, commercial and even parking spaces. Bob will discuss these effects, who benefits and who pays, and how equity might be improved.

Apr
3
Fri
Invisible Robbery Tour @ Departs from Henry George School, Suite 1207
Apr 3 @ 12:00 pm
Henry George School photo by Chuck Metalitz
Henry George School photo by Chuck Metalitz

Right on the streets of every American community, robbery takes place every working day. You might not realize how much value the people of Chicago (and every other community) create, simply by going about our daily activities. What is this wealth, how do we create it, and where does it go?

Originally conceived as a field trip for Progress & Poverty students, this stroll — about 2 km and 90 minutes — presents some answers for those interested in finding out.  Additionally, we’ll take a look at recovered loot of a long-ago theft, learn how Thomas Jefferson would have solved the problem of financing Chicago’s public schools, and see an economic development incentive that costs less than nothing.  We might stop for snacks along the way (individual settlement).

Detailed sourced notes will be provided. This is now a free tour, no donation required, although we do appreciate (tax-deductible) contributions from those who can afford it and find the event worthwhile.

Oct
31
Sat
Invisible Robbery Tour @ Henry George School
Oct 31 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
image credit: Maggie Schreiter (cc) via flickr
Hallowe’en costumes optional. image credit: Maggie Schreiter (cc) via flickr

Right on the streets of every American community, robbery takes place every working day. You might not realize how much value the people of Chicago (and every other community) create, simply by going about our daily activities. What is this wealth, how do we create it, and where does it go?

Originally conceived as a field trip for Progress & Poverty students, this stroll — about 2 km and 90 minutes — presents some answers for those interested in finding out.  Additionally, we’ll take a look at recovered loot of a long-ago theft, learn how Thomas Jefferson proposed to finance Chicago’s public schools, and see an economic development incentive that costs less than nothing.  We might stop for snacks along the way (individual settlement).

Detailed sourced notes will be provided. This is now a free tour, no donation required, although we do appreciate (tax-deductible) contributions from those who can afford it and find the event worthwhile.

Jan
18
Mon
South Connect planning meeting
Jan 18 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

to discuss South Connect Metra Electric/Pace South planning fare coordination and service integration proposal. The Transit Riders’ Authority is the proponent.

Aug
8
Mon
Join with the Public Revenue Education Council in educating public officials @ McCormick Place
Aug 8 – Aug 11 all-day

Once again this year, our colleagues from the Public Revenue Education Council will have a booth at the annual conference of the National Council of State Legislators.  PREC travel to the host city each year, and in 2016 they’re at McCormick Place in Chicago.

PREC will want assistance from local people who have completed one or more courses at the Henry George School and understand the fundamentals of political economy, especially land value taxation and the “two-rate” or “split rate” tax. If you might like to help out, contact Chuck Metalitz for more details.  Because this conference of public officials is closed to the public, this might be you only way to get into the exhibit hall, and requires pre-arrangement.  Only a limited number of these volunteer positions is available.

Apr
1
Mon
Income Tax Appreciation Day @ TBA
Apr 1 all-day
detail from Alan O’Rourke’s Too Busy To Improve (CC BY 2.0)

Join us in celebrating Income Tax Appreciation Day. This page will be updated with specifics of our celebration as we figure out how best to do it.

Sep
2
Mon
Henry George Day @ Oakton Historic District--Mulford St, Evanston
Sep 2 @ 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Ghost of Henry George (Spokane, WA) Image credit: Terry Bain CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Henry George was born in Philadelphia on September 2, 1839, so we’ll celebrate his 180th birthday on Labor Day.  As usual, the event will be in a south Evanston back yard, beginning when we get some shade around 3:00, and continuing at least until dark (We do have indoor space in case of rain or extreme heat).

This is a potluck; bring something if you can and let Chuck know about it. Grilled sausages and some vegan stuff will be provided.  All alumni, friends, and prospective students of the School are welcome but you must let us know you’re coming.  Expect to find some soft drinks, beer, maybe wine if somebody brings some.

While the event is free, monetary donations will be gratefully accepted.

Oct
12
Sat
Invisible Robbery Tour @ Van Buren/Wabash
Oct 12 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Building sold — land not included (Henry George School photo by Chuck Metalitz)

Right on the streets of every American community, robbery takes place every working day. You might not realize how much value the people of Chicago (and every other community) already create, simply by going about our daily activities.  You’ll learn how we could comfortably produce much more, if only a smart tax policy were put in place.

Originally conceived as a field trip for Progress and Poverty students, this stroll — about 2 km and 90 minutes — presents some answers for those interested in finding out.  Additionally, we’ll take a look at recovered loot of a long-ago theft, learn how Thomas Jefferson proposed to finance Chicago’s public schools, see some infrastructure that you probably didn’t know about, visit a shopping mall that you paid for but don’t own, and glimpse a billionaire’s downtown garden.

Detailed sourced notes will be provided. This is now a free tour, no donation required, although we do appreciate (tax-deductible) contributions from those who can afford it and find the event worthwhile.

Please sign up using the Eventbrite link.