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

Finance
June 16, 2025

The committee approved A substitute ordinance authorizing the issuance of Chicago O’Hare International Airport General Airport Senior Lien Revenue Bonds and Chicago Midway International Airport Senior Lien Revenue Bonds. They approved the settlement of four lawsuits.

Chicago City Council [remote or in person] Committee on Finance

Notetaking by

Stephen Simpson

Chicago

Transportation
June 18, 2025

Metra extends Axon’s contract, thereby entrenching AI’s role in its policing methods. They will also commit to fixing their aging infrastructure.

Chicago

Criminal Justice
July 5, 2025

There are community concerns that the CPD and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are collaborating, and District Council member Ashley Vargas shared her concern that neither the CPD Bureau of Internal Affairs, the Office of Inspector General (OIG), nor the Civilian Office

Chicago

Politics
July 1, 2025

Community members and alderpersons called for a full investigation into whether CPD violated the city’s Welcoming City Ordinance. CPD maintained that officers were unaware the incident involved civil immigration enforcement when they initially arrived at the South Loop facility.

Chicago City Council [remote or in person] Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights

Notetaking by

Jinny Kim

Chicago

Criminal Justice
June 24, 2025

Independent Monitor Maggie Hickey gave an overview of the Consent Decree.

Chicago

Education
June 5, 2025

Attendees discussed renewing the Partners in Education program, which enables CHA residents to attend City Colleges for free or at a low cost.

Chicago

Politics
July 8, 2025

Committee members approved all direct introduction items for prohibited disabled parking spots with no objections.

Chicago

Politics
June 11, 2025

Addressing seven agenda items, including a pilot program for safe youth transportation, amendments to various municipal codes, and a subdivision proposal. Notable discussions focused on barriers to youth participation in community events.

Chicago City Council [remote or in person] Committee on Transportation and Public Way

Notetaking by

Grace Vaughn

Chicago

Criminal Justice
June 3, 2025

The 001 Police District Council discussed noise levels and traffic concerns in the neighborhood with community members. A Chicago Park District representative discussed security at Dunbar Park.

Chicago Police District Councils [in person] 1st Police District Council - Loop/River West/Near South Side

Notetaking by

Rebeka Pushkar

Chicago

Criminal Justice
June 23, 2025

In a contentious 5th district, Police District Council Meeting Council member Thomas L. McMahon gives a presentation on the District Strategic Plan.
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