No algorithm can replicate a neighbor who is accountable to their community, who shows up because they care, who can look someone in the eye and say: “here’s what happened at that meeting; and here's what you can do about it.” https://www.citybureau.org/notebook/why-ai-will-never-replace-documenters

What happens when Chicago clears homeless encampments? https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/2026/05/20/newswire-what-happens-when-chicago-clears-homeless-encampments

We’re #hiring a Development Manager to manage processes and systems that drive contributed revenue and invite broad engagement in City Bureau’s movement for more equitable media. Apply by June 23! https://www.citybureau.org/hiring-development-manager

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. See what they learned here! https://www.citybureau.org/notebook/what-we-learned-from-hosting-a-pod-mapping-workshop

TOMORROW || Join City Bureau at Pilsen Community Books! We'll talk about how Midway Blitz impacted the safety and livelihood of Chicago’s immigrant communities and what can be done to support them now. https://bit.ly/496SKMd

🤔What happens when Chicago clears homeless encampments? Plus, wrapping up our court watching pilot ⬇️ www.citybureau.org/newswire/202...

Black queer communities on the South and West Sides of Chicago are determined to thrive across generations despite the aftermath of widespread loss and disconnection. https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/2026/3/4/how-two-public-health-crises-fractured-intergenerational-black-queer-mentorship

🗣️ Calling all Chicago Documenters! Let's step back from our individual notes and look at the bigger picture. Join us for a debrief on Wednesday night: https://www.citybureau.org/events/documenters-debrief-documenting-cook-county-court-watching-edition

ICE is less visible in Chicago, but the threats to the safety and livelihoods of immigrant communities haven’t gone away—how are mutual aid organizations sustaining their efforts? https://youtube.com/shorts/ROMATHE5DZE?feature=share

Thousands of people are released from Illinois prisons each year. Reentry services and programs are critical to prevent recidivism, but challenges such as finding stable housing continue to make that process difficult for many. https://bit.ly/3POCIQz

In 2025, Midway Blitz impacted the safety and livelihood of Chicago’s immigrant communities. In this #PublicNewsroom, learn how community organizations have stepped up to offer sustained support, shifting from rapid response to long term organizing. https://bit.ly/496SKMd

One of Chicago’s oldest churches is the spiritual home to Polish and Latine communities, who grapple with immigration raids in very different ways. Here's how Back of the Yards parishioners found faith in the face of ICE. https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/2026/4/16/church-communities-facing-ice

TOMORROW || Join a virtual workshop series with City Bureau & Grist to learn about extreme weather events, how to plan for them, and ways you can streamline and share information in an emergency! https://www.citybureau.org/events/disaster-101-the-basics-of-extreme-weather-with-grist-and-city-bureau

🎉 ANNOUNCING: Digital Equity IMPACT Infrastructure Grant with Cook County Government! This round of funding is focused on supporting projects that will address the infrastructure communities need to be digitally connected. Learn more! https://www.citybureau.org/digital-equity-impact-application

ICE is less visible in Chicago, but the threats to the safety of immigrant communities haven’t gone away. Join us for our next #PublicNewsroom to learn more! https://www.citybureau.org/events/public-newsroom-165-sustaining-mutual-aid-after-midway-blitz-pilsen-community-books-puno-latino-union

TOMORROW || Join #ChicagoDocumenters for a hands-on workshop at City Bureau! What Makes a Good Quote? Come sharpen your ear, strengthen your note taking, and boost public transparency. https://www.citybureau.org/events/what-makes-a-good-quote-chicago-workshop-may-2026

The City Bureau Notebook is our national newsletter, highlighting new models and trends in civic media while putting a spotlight on the people and organizations working toward change. Go behind the scenes of our one-of-a-kind approach and subscribe today. https://www.citybureau.org/newsletter

The Inner-City Muslim Action Network’s Green ReEntry program has been helping men rejoin their communities after incarceration for over 15 years. https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/2026/5/4/inner-city-muslim-action-network-green-reentry-multigenerational-program

📆 Save the date for these May @chidocumenters.bsky.social events and workshops! We’ll see you soon for these opportunities to get involved in our city and local government. Learn more and RSVP: www.citybureau.org/events

“With AI transcription, why does the Documenters program still matter?” Our Executive Director Jody heard this question a lot while at a recent conference for news leaders. Her answer: the rise of AI has made us more confident in our model—not less. www.citybureau.org/notebook/why...

"We are radically reimagining journalism as an everyday civic act—something people can do for themselves, rooted in community, and in service of the information people need to [affirmatively] navigate their lives." Yes.

A decade ago, City Bureau’s co-founders asked some questions that were genuinely radical at the time: What if community members helped create the information their neighborhoods need? https://www.citybureau.org/notebook/journalism-is-for-all-of-us-heres-whats-next-for-city-bureau

Are you prepared for a weather disaster? Join a City Bureau & @grist.org workshop series to learn about extreme weather events, how to plan for them, & ways to streamline and share info in an emergency. https://www.citybureau.org/notebook/city-bureau-and-grist-workshop-series-extreme-weather-event

Looking to access resources for you and your neighbors? Explore free guides, zines, and easy-to-use resources created for residents, organizers, and anyone working toward community change. https://www.citybureau.org/latest-reporting

If your newsroom is covering immigration enforcement and wants to reach Spanish-speaking audiences, we’re here to help! Reach out to our Translation Lab! https://www.citybureau.org/get-involved

A decade of community-powered journalism innovation has brought us here. Our new strategic plan charts the path forward—rooted in Chicago, expanding nationally, and driven by a core belief: journalism is an everyday civic act for everyone. https://www.citybureau.org/strategic-plan-2026-27

1 Church, 2 Realities: here's how Back of the Yards parishioners found faith in the face of ICE. https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/2026/4/16/church-communities-facing-ice

TONIGHT || All Documenters across our communities are invited to join City Bureau staff for a VIRTUAL interactive workshop focused on pod-mapping! RSVP here 👇 https://www.citybureau.org/events/documenting-cook-county-detention-hearings-april-rf4je

Join City Bureau’s #DocumentersNetwork for an interactive workshop focused on the mutual aid and community care tool, pod-mapping! This virtual event is open to all Documenters across the country. RSVP here! https://www.citybureau.org/events/documenting-cook-county-detention-hearings-april-rf4je

Big news! MinnPost is thrilled to share that we’re partnering with @citybureau.bsky.social to reimagine its award-winning Documenters program for the Twin Cities. @twincitiesdocs.bsky.social www.minnpost.com/inside-minnp...

Reflections on why building a values-aligned career starts with knowing your story and trusting your path. https://www.citybureau.org/notebook/2026/1/20/navigating-career-uncertainty-with-an-abundance-mindset

Against gas rate hikes? Tell the Illinois Commerce Commission. https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/2026/04/01/newswire-against-gas-rate-hikes-tell-the-illinois-commerce-commission

Against the gas hike? Here's how to tell the Illinois Commerce Commission! They have the actual authority over utility companies who want to charge higher prices. From our latest #Newswire newsletter: https://youtube.com/shorts/f5TYBX0RB_4?feature=share

I'm so excited about City Bureau's new strategic plan. It renews and deepens our commitment to equipping communities with skills and information for self-determination, in Chicago and throughout the Documenters network. Now, more than ever, it's time for people-powered journalism!

🎉 Ten years ago: a coffee shop, a Kickstarter, and radical questions about journalism. Today: a national infrastructure and our most ambitious plan yet. Here's our bold vision for what’s next: www.citybureau.org/notebook/jou...

Whether our team is tracking policy decisions around housing or creating guides about labor rights, our reporting helps people make informed decisions and take action in their communities. https://www.citybureau.org/latest-reporting

👋 Meet Ruth, City Bureau’s Director of Development! This values-driven fundraiser is eager to strengthen relationships that will support the long-term impact of our work. https://www.citybureau.org/notebook/meet-ruth-city-bureaus-director-of-development

1 church, 2 realities: How Back of the Yards parishioners found faith in the face of ICE. @citybureau.bsky.social reports: blockclubchi.co/3Q5Mnlv

Many South and West Siders care deeply about how the city spends money. But they don’t always understand how — or why — local leaders make key decisions, and they don’t know how to give their input. https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/2026/4/1/chicago-2026-budget-south-and-west-siders

Against gas rate hikes? Tell the Illinois Commerce Commission. https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/2026/04/01/newswire-against-gas-rate-hikes-tell-the-illinois-commerce-commission

In conversations in Austin, McKinley Park & Back of the Yards, Chicagoans have clear priorities for how the city should spend taxpayer money — but they also want more information on how the whole process works. https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/2026/4/1/chicago-2026-budget-south-and-west-siders

ANNOUNCING: Jody Chong has been appointed as City Bureau’s permanent Executive Director—and we're celebrating! She’s spent four years helping build what we are today: a civic media lab with deep Chicago roots & a #DocumentersNetwork active nationwide. www.citybureau.org/notebook/cit...

The demand for gender-based violence services, like emergency shelter and financial systems, has been on the rise since 2020. We want to know why. Have you used these services? https://youtube.com/shorts/SVuBvcvCOOY?feature=share

👋 Meet David, a City Bureau Documenters Site Success Manager! This arts educator brings a background in program implementation and initiative management to support the #DocumentersNetwork. https://www.citybureau.org/notebook/meet-david-a-city-bureau-documenters-site-success-manager

🤓 On our reading this list week: "The Hidden Work of Caregivers" by longtime Chicago Documenter Pachina Fletcher. Read her story and the rest of @southsideweekly.bsky.social's Worker Issue now ⬇️ southsideweekly.com/the-hidden-w...

Last call! We’re investigating how federal budget changes are affecting local education, social services, and health care in collaboration with our #DocumentersNetwork. Contribute to our reporting: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSMg0e4KYxmX3tWEMWQaO6Wq4hDJDovLnfAKNS7WvfM28JZA/viewform

Over the next five months, our #DocumentersNetwork is investigating how federal budget shifts are affecting communities in cities across the United States. Share what you’re seeing with us. https://www.citybureau.org/notebook/documenters-network-editorial-project-launch

🗣️ We’re #hiring a Senior Site Success Manager. Are you a relationship builder and strategist with deep experience in nonprofit revenue generation and development? Help us build sustainable futures across #DocumentersNetwork. https://www.citybureau.org/senior-site-success-manager-documenters-network

From makeshift studios on the South Side to the bright lights of Downtown runways, young entrepreneurs are redefining fashion as a movement inspired by community, vision, and empowerment. https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/2025/12/18/chicago-youth-designers

🎉 Announcing: The Second Digital Equity IMPACT Cohort! In partnership with Cook County, we're supporting 22 organizations working to improve access to the internet, technology and digital literacy resources. www.citybureau.org/digital-equi...