A few independent projects produced work that would not fit in the activity lines. Short notes are below. Links are direct and quick.
Chicago Rising
My 15 research areas examine “kitchen-table” issues with some solutions effectively deployed in other cities. Schools, safety, housing, and middle-class exodus are all addressed.
https://risingchicago.com/research-topics/
Erie Neighborhood House
When I began citizenship tutoring, I realized not speaking Spanish limited how much I could help. After seeing students rely on links to 250-page study documents, I proposed a bilingual AI citizenship platform. Erie House now uses it with tutors and students. See the AI Platform and the write ups from Erie House on my work.
https://eriehouse.org/citizenship_resources/
AI for Main Street / Pan American Bank & Trust
Rather than seeking a traditional internship, I proposed and executed a no-cost pilot program. I mapped workflows across departments, worked closely with the C-suite, and learned the bank’s “Crest of Culture” before designing AI recommendations around its values. See the CEO’s letter on the project.
https://risingchicago.com/working-projects/
Published writing
Four Chicago Contrarian essays came out of Chicago Rising after rejection, revision, and editorial review. Topics include a proposed IL land-grant project between Chicago Public Schools and UIUC, AI initiatives in schools, the Chicago middle-class exodus, and Illinois’ federal fiscal gap. See my articles.
https://risingchicago.com/published-work/
Jewel-Osco
$400 from these shifts helped fund the Erie House platform. I also raised $1100 from 22 donors.
https://leofiascone.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Untitled-document-2.pdf
Just for Fun – The Flex
Yes, the 2013 Ford Flex from Green Bay Sucks Tunnel with 161,000 miles is real. It sits next to my dad’s 2005 Chevy Suburban, which is now old enough to drink.
https://leofiascone.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IMG_7774-scaled.jpeg
