As the Trump administration seeks to cut funding for housing-first models of homelessness prevention, thousands could be at risk of eviction in Chicago.

Join us for a game night to spot fake & biased news, refresh Documenter best practices, share lessons, and connect with fellow notetakers!

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.

Join us for an interactive workshop focused on zines as a form of creative self-expression and a tool for community organizing and mobilization

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

Join us for an interactive workshop focused on zines as a form of creative self-expression and a tool for community organizing and mobilization

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.

Resources for affordable housing, eviction, homeless shelters, and daily needs for people facing housing insecurity in Chicago.

Join us for an interactive workshop focused on zines as a form of creative self-expression and a tool for community organizing and mobilization

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

“It’s like trying to drain a swimming pool with a straw.”

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

As the Trump administration seeks to cut funding for housing-first models of homelessness prevention, thousands could be at risk of eviction in Chicago.

YouTube video by 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...

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

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.

Plus, get up to speed on the issue

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...

YouTube video by 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...

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.

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

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

YouTube video by 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.

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

YouTube video by 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.

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

YouTube video by City Bureau

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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...

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...

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.