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

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

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Your elected officials are making big decisions. Keep tabs with original notes, live-tweet threads and multimedia reports from Documenters in your area—updated daily

Chicago

Criminal Justice
Sept. 19, 2024

Superintendent Larry Snelling says the week of the DNC was successful since he made a promise to protect all neighborhoods across the city. Family members of Reginald Clay Jr. who was shot by a police officer on April 15, 2023, were present and gave public comment.

Chicago Police Board [remote or in-person] Police Board

Notetaking by

Madeleine Davison

Chicago

Politics
Sept. 30, 2024

Alders heard from suburban Oak Brook police about potential crime fighting technology. The meeting came just days after Mayor Brandon Johnson sunsetted the gunshot detection technology ShotSpotter in Chicago.

Chicago

Housing
Oct. 1, 2024

Some alders had questions last week about the “low affordability community” designation and the associated tax incentives introduced with a 2021 Illinois state law intended to encourage more affordable housing development in high-cost areas.

Chicago City Council [remote or in-person] Committee on Housing and Real Estate

Notetaking by

Madeleine Davison

Chicago

Housing
Oct. 1, 2024

Some alders had questions last week about the “low affordability community” designation and the associated tax incentives introduced with a 2021 Illinois state law intended to encourage more affordable housing development in high-cost areas.

Chicago City Council [remote or in-person] Committee on Housing and Real Estate

Live reporting by

Michael Grotton

Chicago

Education
Sept. 26, 2024

The Chicago School Board opted to keep district CEO Pedro Martinez in a vote last week; it also put a moratorium on school closures until 2027.

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

Live reporting by

Sarina Shane

Chicago

Education
Sept. 26, 2024

The Chicago School Board opted to keep district CEO Pedro Martinez in a vote last week; it also put a moratorium on school closures until 2027.

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

Notetaking by

Benjamin Nober

Chicago

Development
Sept. 10, 2024

CDOT is making an acquisition request for all or part of 23 properties associated with the Englewood Nature Trail in the 15th and 16th wards

Chicago Community Development Commission [in-person or remote] Community Development Commission

Notetaking by

Ayesha Riaz

Chicago

Finance
Sept. 5, 2024

See the report

Chicago City Council [remote or in person] Committee on Budget and Government Operations

Live reporting by

Reema Saleh

Chicago

Education
Aug. 29, 2024

Chicago Public Schools officials reported higher rates of diversity and preparedness among teachers, along with other positive stats on the start of the new school year, though public commenters shared that funding changes and staffing cuts have left their schools scrambling.

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

Live reporting by

Sarina Shane

Chicago

Health
Sept. 25, 2024

The Mental Health Expansion Initiative has made progress and continues to need community input, program evaluation, and quality improvement efforts.

Chicago Department of Public Health [remote or in-person] Chicago Board of Health

Notetaking by

Anson Tong

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