Tom Tresser throws hat in ring for Cook County Board President

For Tom Tresser, it only took one day.  In the Summer of 1980 he made his way to Chicago on a day off from the Illinois Shakespeare Festival.  He decided to stay.

"In one day I was able to get seen by an agent, audition at the Goodman and get an answering service," Tresser recently explained in an interview at his Old Town condo.  "There was plenty of opportunity.  I went back and told everyone Chicago was the place to be."

Tresser had been living in New York City.  He grew up around show business.  His father was a musician and entertainer in the Catskills.

"At that time people would rather be unemployed in New York than working in Chicago."

Although he had a background in Sociology, Tresser had been bitten by the theatre bug and became involved with the now defunct, but influential Jean Cocteau Repertory Theatre in NYC.  He continued to be active in Chicago.  He helped to found and manage the Free Shakespeare Company.  He was the Managing Director for the Pegasus Players from 1985 to 1990.  He helped create the Chicago Young Playwrights Festival.  Tresser also played a pivotal role in the Peoples Housing Community Arts Project in Rogers Park. 

Tresser became more involved on the political side of the Arts in the early 1990's when he noticed a disturbing trend.

"Basically an all out effort by the right-wing, Christian coalition to kill the National Endowment for the Arts."

It is important to note that the Endowment saw it's highest level of funding in 1992, but by 1996 funding was reduced to it's lowest level since in nearly 20 years.

Tresser responded as a member of an arts advocacy committee working in conjunction with the League of Chicago Theatres.  They did curtain speeches at shows and used a direct mail campaign to help raise awareness and encourage support.  Furthermore, Tresser became involved helping to set up voter registrations and trainings for artists, helping them become more involved in civic life.  In fact, he wrote the book on it.  "America Needs You: Why You Should Become a Creativity Champion," is a guide urging the creative mind to run for local office.

"The skills and abilities that make someone a successful artist are the same that would make a successful public servant," Tresser says.  "The founders of this country had a citizen legislature in mind.  But you don't see artists getting involved on that level."

Tresser's involvement has led him to teach classes at DePaul and Loyola University, as well as IIT.  He has stayed active in community politics as co-Founder of Protect Our Parks and most recently as a member of No Games Chicago, a grassroots organization opposed to the City's recent Olympic Bid. 

After more than 30 years of organizing and training, Tresser decided it was time to throw his hat into the ring.  And he's aiming high: Cook County Board President.

While he says it's too early for a platform, his website notes accountability, financing and citizen involvement as three key components.  He vows to run a DIY campaign that relies on individual contributions, well researched information, collaboration, and must importantly perhaps, creativity.

"There should be an x-ray of Cook County from top to bottom," says Tresser.  "I don't think anyone could tell you about all the inefficiencies."

He knows it's an ambitious plan, but is focused on each step.

"Got to get on the ballot first."

Tresser is looking for 1,000 signatures by November 2nd.  He technically needs less.

"The "machine" will be going through them looking for any excuse to throw names out."

It only took Tom Tresser a day to realize Chicago was where he wanted to be.  Nearly 30 years later, he's digging in deeper than ever.

Note: Tom Tresser made an offer to me during our interview.  If 20 people are interested he will teach a one-day class, The Politics of Creativity: A Call to Service.  Please contact him at tom@tresser.com