The Citizen Advocacy Center (CAC) is an award winning, non-profit, non-partisan free community legal organization. Founded in 1994, CAC's mission is to build democracy for the 21st century by strengthening the citizenry's capacities, resources, and institutions for self-governance.  

CAC operates through the use of community lawyers who protect the public’s assets and promote meaningful participation in the democratic process. As an institution comprised of community lawyers, CAC engages in a holistic approach to building democracy through community organizing, coalition building, legal advocacy, civic education, and litigation to make government more accountable, accessible, and transparent.

CAC seeks to increase democratic protocols at every level of government and develop the voice of the public. Efforts that start at the local level often result in statewide initiatives to address anti-democratic barriers rooted in state law. 

CAC is located in Elmhurst, Illinois and is open for the public to:

• obtain free civic resource materials;
• ask questions of our community lawyers on matters of public concern;
• engage in civic discussion, learn about local issues;
• attend training workshops; and
• develop skills for participating in civic affairs.   ​

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​Quick Links:​​

• Survey of Government Regulations on Public Assembly in DuPage Municipalities
• Citizen Guides 
• CAC brochures for Journalists, Educators, Students, Public Officials, Volunteers, and more. 
• Public Comment: May I Address the Elected Officials at My Public Body? Citizen Guide
• Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Citizen Guide
• Illinois Open Meetings Act (OMA) Citizen Guide​
• Public Access Counselor (PAC) Determination Letters Searchable Index​
• Illinois FOIA - "Voluminous Request" Provision Fact Sheet​​​

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Watch how CAC has been hard at work for 20 years!

Meet some citizen advocates
building democracy in their communities!

Learn about our internship program!