City Bureau’s Documenters Network: People-powered news and information

We’re putting every public meeting on the record in

Who we are

A network of newsrooms and community organizations committed to participatory civic media.

What we do

We train and pay hundreds of people to attend under-reported public meetings and publish the results.

The Future is Informed

Your elected officials are making big decisions. Keep tabs with regular notes, real-time social media updates, and multimedia reports from Documenters in your area. Together, we’re building a new public record.

Chicago

Criminal Justice
March 25, 2025

The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability is hosting citywide listening sessions to gather input on the search for a new Chief Administrator of the Chicago Office of Police Accountability.

Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability [in person] Public Hearing - COPA Chief Administrator Search - Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability

Live reporting by

Ebony Ellis

Chicago

Development
March 24, 2025

The Real Estate Operations Development Committee approved five items, including housing assistance payments and cooperative purchasing agreements.

Chicago Housing Authority [remote or in person] Chicago Housing Authority Board of Commissioners

Live reporting by

Jhaylin Benson

Chicago

Criminal Justice
March 23, 2025

See the report

Chicago

Education
March 20, 2025

A planned vote on the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) budget for FY 2025 was delayed as contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) continue.

Chicago Public Schools [remote or in-person] Chicago Board of Education

Notetaking by

Madeleine Davison

Chicago

Education
March 20, 2025

A planned vote on the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) budget for FY 2025 was delayed as contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) continue.

Chicago Public Schools [remote or in-person] Chicago Board of Education

Live reporting by

Anson Tong

Chicago

Education
March 17, 2025

The Capital Planning and Construction Department gave a presentation about preparing budget priorities for building repairs. The Department of Advanced Learning Speciality Programs presented on the upcoming changes to CPS’ Accelerated Placement Act Policy.

Chicago Local School Council Advisory Board [remote or in-person] Local School Council Advisory Board SY 2024-2025

Notetaking by

Ariana Portalatin

Chicago

Education
March 17, 2025

The Capital Planning and Construction Department gave a presentation about preparing budget priorities for building repairs. The Department of Advanced Learning Speciality Programs presented on the upcoming changes to CPS’ Accelerated Placement Act Policy.

Chicago Local School Council Advisory Board [remote or in-person] Local School Council Advisory Board SY 2024-2025

Live reporting by

Holland Harmon

Chicago

Criminal Justice
March 17, 2025

The Policing Project presented on alternative response and community policing programs in Chicago. Councilors and attendees discussed what expanding these programs in Chicago could look like.

Chicago Police District Councils [in-person] Chicago Police District Council 020 Regular Meeting

Live reporting by

Briana Madden

Chicago

Transportation
March 12, 2025

The board approves three ordinances and ten contracts. CTA plans to increase bus frequency on select routes starting March 23rd through the Frequent Network initiative.

Chicago Transit Authority [remote or in person] Regular Board Meeting Chicago Transit Authority Board

Notetaking by

Jamel Smith

Chicago

Criminal Justice
March 4, 2025

Meeting attendees discussed district level safety efforts, ongoing investigations and police protocols on immigration enforcement.
See all of our public meeting reports →

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