City Bureau’s Documenters Network: People-powered news and information
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
Feb. 20, 2025
Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability [remote or in person] Traffic Stops Listening Session #3
Notetaking by
Rebeka Pushkar
Chicago
Transportation
Feb. 20, 2025
Regional Transportation Authority [remote or in person] RTA Board of Directors
Notetaking by
Jennifer Lenz
Chicago
Development
Feb. 6, 2025
Commission on Chicago Landmarks [remote or in-person] Commission on Chicago Landmarks
Notetaking by
Chicago
Housing
Feb. 11, 2025
Chicago City Council [remote or in person] Committee on Housing and Real Estate
Notetaking by
Laura Caride
Chicago
Criminal Justice
Feb. 11, 2025
Chicago Police District Councils [in person] Police District Council 011 - Harrison (Humboldt Park, West Garfield Park, North Lawndale, East Garfield Park, Near West Side, Austin)
Notetaking by
Chicago
Education
Feb. 6, 2025
Chicago
Transportation
Feb. 12, 2025
Chicago Transit Authority [remote or in person] Regular Board Meeting of Chicago Transit Board
Notetaking by
Madeleine Davison
Chicago
Finance
Feb. 7, 2025
Chicago
Finance
Feb. 7, 2025
Democracy is What You Do
Get involved in our community of practice.
A unique civic education
“How are your tax dollars spent? What are your elected officials doing? Are they listening to you? What is the process? That, as a Documenter, is what you have to show people.”
Susan Carlotta Ellis
Community reporting
“In almost every case for a meeting that I’ve covered, I’ve been the only person connected to the media that has been in the room.”
David Palmer
Local connections
“I've learned from other Documenters… I’ve learned skills that helped me to not just be a better citizen but also inform the type of work that I want to do.”
Isabel Sophia Dieppa
About City Bureau’s Documenters Network
How our public meeting coverage supports local reporting.
How our public meeting coverage tracks policy trends and public input.
How our training modules build civic knowledge and action.
How anyone can become a Documenter in one of our local programs.