People-powered news on your local government.

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.

We’re building a new public record

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

Finance
Nov. 19, 2024

The Chicago Fire Department says is engaged in an aggressive recruitment outreach program to youth of color to combat the lack of diversity in the fire department.

Chicago

Finance
Nov. 21, 2024

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Chicago

Finance
Nov. 6, 2024

Various alders suggested reducing the amount of managerial positions in several departments to address the budget deficit as opposed to the property tax hike.

Chicago

Finance
Nov. 6, 2024

Various alders suggested reducing the amount of managerial positions in several departments to address the budget deficit as opposed to the property tax hike.

Chicago

Criminal Justice
Nov. 2, 2024

Only Councilor Orlikoff was present at the November 2 meeting and did not establish a quorum.

Chicago

Politics
Oct. 29, 2024

Meeting attendees discussed tax incentive eligibility for the former U.S. Steel South Works site.

Chicago

Development
Oct. 29, 2024

Committee approved amendment allowing indoor urban farm operations in former office spaces to increase use of building spaces left vacant in the downtown shopping district after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chicago

Development
Oct. 29, 2024

Committee approved amendment allowing indoor urban farm operations in former office spaces to increase use of building spaces left vacant in the downtown shopping district after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chicago City Council [remote or in-person] Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards

Live reporting by

Cary Robbins

Chicago

Politics
Oct. 24, 2024

Item 24-3473 in the agenda involved a proposed contract amendment with Appriss Insights, LLC. Various public comment speakers raised concerns that this contract puts undocumented immigrants at risk of deportation.

Cook County Board of Commissioners [remote or in-person] Board of Commissioners

Live reporting by

Holland Harmon

Chicago

Politics
Oct. 24, 2024

Item 24-3473 in the agenda involved a proposed contract amendment with Appriss Insights, LLC. Various public comment speakers raised concerns that this contract puts undocumented immigrants at risk of deportation.

Cook County Board of Commissioners [remote or in-person] Board of Commissioners

Notetaking by

Nato'sha Trotter

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“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.”

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About this project

Journalists

How our public meeting coverage supports local reporting.

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How our public meeting coverage tracks policy trends and public input.

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How our training modules build civic knowledge and action.

Curious Citizens

How anyone can become a Documenter in one of our local programs.