Citizenship 101: How to be a more involved Illinoisan
What you need to know to better get answers about what local and state government leaders are doing in Illinois.
How do I get public records from City Hall? Why are county board members allowed to meet in secret? Why won’t the state release those construction contracts?
Getting answers to what government leaders are doing, and why, can be a tangled journey. Illinoisans can cut through some of the red tape and confusion if they arm themselves with knowledge and tools contained within state law.
Here are some primers on those tools and resources, compiled by the staff of the Illinois Policy Institute, to help Illinoisans keep an eye on how local and state leaders are spending their taxes and shaping their communities.
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How to keep government transparent through Illinois Open Meetings Act
Most Illinois government meetings are open to the public, with a few exceptions. Here’s what to know about Illinoisans’ rights to see what government is doing by using the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
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How to file a Freedom of Information Act request in Illinois
Watching government and how taxes are spent isn’t always a simple process, but a useful tool helps obtain records to see the inner workings of schools, cities and state agencies: the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.