⏰ We’re in the final stretch of our campaign to keep Chicago Documenters on duty! Your gift funds: 👉 Training & paying Documenters 👉 Coverage of more public meetings 👉 Stronger civic participation Every gift made before midnight will be DOUBLED by NewsMatch! www.citybureau.org/documenters-...

Documenters on Duty — City Bureau

Chicago Documenters are coming together for Documenters on Duty–a weeklong fundraising campaign to support the people-powered reporting that keeps local government transparent and communities informed...

citybureau.org

🗣️This year, 80+ Chicago Documenters spent 238 hours courtwatching pre-trial detention hearings, observing how power operates. Help 1,200+ Documenters expand civic participation by making a gift. This week only NewsMatch is pledging a 1:1 match up to $5,000! www.citybureau.org/documenters-...

Public courtrooms are where government power is most visible—and where the public is most absent. Chicago Documenters set out to change that. This spring, 80+ Documenters attended 200+ pretrial detention hearings, observing how power operates in the room. www.citybureau.org/notebook/chi...

Chicago Documenters Went Into Courtrooms — City Bureau

Public courtrooms are where government power is most visible—and where the public is most absent. Chicago Documenters set out to change that.

citybureau.org

🗣️Your neighbors are keeping tabs on local government, will you support them? Documenters on Duty celebrates and invests in people-powered, community-based journalism. This week only, every donation is MATCHED thanks to #NewsMatch. citybureau.org/documenters-on-duty

Chicago calls to the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline have more than doubled from pre-pandemic levels. But, less funding means more survivors turned away. https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/2026/8/11/perfect-storm-funding-cuts-leave-chicagos-domestic-violence-survivors-stranded

Perfect Storm: Chicago domestic violence funding falls short of need — City Bureau

Between COVID-era ARPA funding, federal cuts from the Trump administration and increased need in Chicago and Illinois, survivors of gender-based violence are losing out on shelter beds and legal help.

citybureau.org

Check out our weekly guide to Chicago government and civic action . Plus, the latest public meeting coverage by City Bureau’s Documenters. Ready fou you in our Newswire! https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/2026/08/19/newswire-south-siders-reject-quantum-campus

Newswire: South Siders reject quantum campus — City Bureau

Plus, get up to speed on the issue

citybureau.org

Go beyond the notes and learn how your Documenter observations can become the foundation for community stories. We'll cover ethical interviewing and how to find the solutions your neighbors are already working on. https://www.citybureau.org/events/storytelling-community-reporting-bxs6t

Publishing Local Voices: Documenting as Power — City Bureau

Learn how to turn your documentation into stories that reach people. We'll cover story formats like Q&As and explainers, how to pitch to outlets like 15 West, and ways to share what you're seeing on s...

citybureau.org

Bank of America quit before it started helping the city sell $1 billion of vehicle debt amid a midyear budget shortfall. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DNSDEqOL9rw

Bank bails on city debt sale

YouTube video by City Bureau

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Tech companies are suing to block a new tax. Without it, a citywide Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement program could hang in the balance. https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/2026/6/22/care-chicago-budget-expansion-mental-health-program-social-media-tax

Chicago’s Crisis Mental Health Program Depends on a Social Media Tax — City Bureau

The city's new social media tax, implemented in January, is the main funding earmarked to build out a citywide Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement program in 2027 — but a lawsuit could derail th...

citybureau.org

What happens when public information stops feeling public? Documenters' people-powered journalism turns everyday civic participation into meaningful local impact. https://www.citybureau.org/notebook/2026/6/3/five-documenters-stories-that-show-why-local-accountability-starts-with-paying-attention

Five Documenters Stories That Show Why Local Accountability Starts with Paying Attention — City Bureau

Recent stories from Documenters in Tulsa, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Grand Rapids, and Fresno highlight how people-powered journalism turns everyday civic participation into meaningful local impact.

citybureau.org

What started as a scrappy volunteer-run project is now a thriving civic media lab and a network spanning 20+ communities around the country. This year, we’re marking our 10th Birthday the way we do everything: with our community. Come celebrate with us! https://www.citybureau.org/10thbirthday

Better Together: City Bureau Turns 10 — City Bureau

City Bureau is turning 10! Help us celebrate the first decade and build the next.

citybureau.org

Our reporting got into a screening! Join us at "Tallform: Chicago's First Vertical Film Festival" this Sunday and witness short nonfiction and documentary films connected to Chicago storytelling. https://videoconsortium.org/events/tallform-chicagos-first-vertical-film-festival

Video Consortium | Tallform: Chicago's First Vertical Film Festival

Tallform is Chicago's first vertical video film festival — 90 minutes of short docs made for the scroll, screened the way they were shot.

videoconsortium.org

Pilsen Apoya with PUÑO is August 15-16! Here's how showing up for small business in Chicago impacts immigrant communities. Yolanda of Pásele Señito and Crystal of Verde Holistic Wellness Studio share why it's important to sustain local economic investment in our city. youtube.com/shorts/FyQq4...

Pilsen Apoya - August 15-16

YouTube video by City Bureau

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City Bureau is creating practical resources that Chicagoans can use to navigate their debt — covering relief programs, how to spot scams, and what your rights are when collectors come calling. Learn more here! https://www.citybureau.org/notebook/tracking-chicagos-debt-sale

We’re Tracking Chicago’s Debt Sale — And What It Means For You — City Bureau

As the city looks to sell $1 billion of residents’ traffic debt, City Bureau journalists are creating resources to help you navigate owing Chicago money.

citybureau.org

Last day to apply! With support from City Bureau staff, fellows will use journalism skills to design and implement group projects that help improve their neighbors’ access to information. https://www.citybureau.org/fellowship-application

Civic Information Fellowship — City Bureau

A paid, six-month program for Chicagoans to grow skills in community engagement, civic participation and journalism.

citybureau.org

Chicago: turn out for this one, it will be a good time!

City Bureau@citybureau.bsky.social · last mo.

🥳🔟 City Bureau is turning 10! Help us celebrate the first decade and build the next! 🎉 Save the date: our 10th Birthday Bash, October 23 in Chicago 💌 Add a note to our virtual community card 📝Share your story to our People’s History timeline → www.citybureau.org/10thbirthday

In case you missed it! Pilsen Apoya Small Business Crawl is coming this weekend August 15 and 16 with Pilsen PUÑO! Come support 🧊 impacted communities in Chicago and learn how to keep showing up. Can we count on you to be there? https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4lDVky7QglQ

Pilsen Apoya Small Business Crawl is coming August 15 and 16!

YouTube video by City Bureau

youtube.com

Do you owe money for parking tickets and other unpaid fines? Here’s what you need to know about Chicago’s debt sale, debt relief programs, and how to spot a debt scam. https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/debt-guide

Resource Guide: Handling Debt With Chicago From Tickets, Fines and Fees — City Bureau

Do you owe money for parking tickets and other unpaid fines? Here’s what you need to know about Chicago’s debt sale, debt relief programs, and how to spot a debt scam.

citybureau.org

Find out why we’re overhauling City Bureau’s longest-standing Fellowship Program, and how you can get involved. Applications are due August 11! https://www.citybureau.org/notebook/introducing-the-civic-information-fellowship

Introducing the Civic Information Fellowship — City Bureau

Find out why we’re overhauling City Bureau’s longest-standing program, and how you can get involved.

citybureau.org

🥳🔟 City Bureau is turning 10! Help us celebrate the first decade and build the next! 🎉 Save the date: our 10th Birthday Bash, October 23 in Chicago 💌 Add a note to our virtual community card 📝Share your story to our People’s History timeline → www.citybureau.org/10thbirthday

Interested in applying for our Civic Information Fellowship? Check out our recent webinar! This paid, six-month, two-phase program is for Chicagoans who want to grow their skills in community engagement, civic participation and journalism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWpEYV_oHmk

Civic Information Fellowship webinar (July 2026)

YouTube video by City Bureau

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Explore reporting from City Bureau’s journalists, Civic Reporting Fellows, and Chicago Documenters, with stories that address local issues and solutions while uplifting community perspectives. https://www.citybureau.org/latest-reporting

Community-Centered News from City Bureau — City Bureau

Access reporting, resource guides, and stories from our network that highlight how community-driven journalism makes an impact.

citybureau.org

Bank of America quit before it started helping the city sell $1 billion of vehicle debt amid a midyear budget shortfall. https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/2026/7/28/bank-of-america-quits-debt-sale

Bank of America Bails on Facilitating Chicago's Debt Sale — City Bureau

As Chicago alders accuse Mayor Brandon Johnson of delaying a $1 billion sale of traffic debt, the plan hit a snag as the city contends with a midyear budget shortfall of $89 million.

citybureau.org

As the city looks to sell $1 billion of residents’ traffic debt, City Bureau journalists are creating resources to help you navigate owing Chicago money. Here's what you need to know. https://www.citybureau.org/notebook/tracking-chicagos-debt-sale

We’re Tracking Chicago’s Debt Sale — And What It Means For You — City Bureau

As the city looks to sell $1 billion of residents’ traffic debt, City Bureau journalists are creating resources to help you navigate owing Chicago money.

citybureau.org

In case you missed it! Here's what we learned from hosting a pod-mapping workshop. https://www.citybureau.org/notebook/what-we-learned-from-hosting-a-pod-mapping-workshop

What We Learned From Hosting a Pod-Mapping Workshop<br/> — City Bureau

In late April, Documenters across our network gathered virtually to create pod maps and discuss how this tool can help us show up for our communities.

citybureau.org

This is a fantastic piece and it makes me so mad how hard we have to chase money for evidence-based public health and public safety.

City Bureau@citybureau.bsky.social · last mo.

Tech companies are suing to block the Social Media Amusement & Responsibility Tax. Without it, a citywide Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement program could hang in the balance. https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/2026/6/22/care-chicago-budget-expansion-mental-health-program-social-media-tax

🗣️ Our City Bureau Civic Information Fellowship has gone through a revamp! Learn more about this paid, six-month, two-phase program at our upcoming webinar on July 30th! Applications are due August 11. https://www.citybureau.org/fellowship-application

Civic Information Fellowship — City Bureau

A paid, six-month program for Chicagoans to grow skills in community engagement, civic participation and journalism.

citybureau.org

Tech companies are suing to block the Social Media Amusement & Responsibility Tax. Without it, a citywide Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement program could hang in the balance. https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/2026/6/22/care-chicago-budget-expansion-mental-health-program-social-media-tax

Chicago’s Crisis Mental Health Program Depends on a Social Media Tax — City Bureau

The city's new social media tax, implemented in January, is the main funding earmarked to build out a citywide Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement program in 2027 — but a lawsuit could derail th...

citybureau.org

In case you missed it! Two new communities are bringing fresh energy to our people-powered journalism movement. https://www.citybureau.org/notebook/celebrating-new-documenters-programs-in-new-mexico-and-north-carolina-and-relaunched-programs-in-minnesota-and-pennsylvania

Celebrating new Documenters programs — City Bureau

Now in 25 different communities across the US, City Bureau's Documenters Network equips and pays community members to attend local government meetings, distill what matters, and bring actionable infor...

citybureau.org

Do you owe money for parking tickets and other unpaid fines? Here’s what you need to know about Chicago’s debt sale, debt relief programs, and how to spot a debt scam. https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/debt-guide

Resource Guide: Handling Debt With Chicago From Tickets, Fines and Fees — City Bureau

Do you owe money for parking tickets and other unpaid fines? Here’s what you need to know about Chicago’s debt sale, debt relief programs, and how to spot a debt scam.

citybureau.org