Helping individuals and community groups understand the government decision-making process, how to use the various laws and tools that ensure access to government, organize community campaigns and effectively advocate for a cause are important components of CAC’s work.  On an annual basis, our community lawyers answer more than 200 inquiries from the public on matters of public concern. Beyond the organizing assistance that we provide to community groups, the following are typical questions received by CAC:

• How may a city extend a tax increment financing district?
• Can a public body vote on items not listed on agendas during public meetings?
• How does a community group apply for a permit to hold a rally?
• What information may a public body distribute when a public body referendum is on the ballot?
• Do candidates running for municipal government have to file ethics statements?
• How is a municipal ordinance created?
• How does a community group obtain 501(c)(3) status?
• What information can the public obtain under the Freedom of Information Act?
• How can a citizen group place a referendum on the ballot to repeal home rule?
• Are there any taxing, spending, or regulating limits on home rule bodies?
• Can a public body prohibit taping of a public meeting?
• Can a public body refuse to let a political or religious group use meeting space?

Citizen Advocacy Center does not provide private legal assistance.  Our community lawyers work on systemic issues of public concern.  Projects that come to CAC's attention are carefully evaluated by the following criteria:

• Is this a matter of public concern where a systemic change will occur? 
• Was this person shut out of the democratic process because of a systemic defect? 
• Does this question concern access to publicly held information, a citizen's access to local government, the court, the airwaves, or citizen initiatives on the ballot? 
• Does CAC have the resources needed for the project? 
• Would assistance on the issue systemically address the problem? 
• What can be done to affect long term change? 
• Is this call within CAC's geographical service area?

OTHER PROJECTS:

• Civic Empowerment Zone 
• Journalism & Citizen
  Open Government Trainings
  
• Midwest Open Government Project  
• Monitoring Government Activity
  

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