"Democracy works best when people understand the issues, ask thoughtful questions, and feel empowered to participate."
-Sheilah O'Grady-Krajniak, Executive Director of the Citizen Advocacy Center
Democracy Night 2026
Building democracy for the 21st century
Building democracy through
Community Lawyering
The Citizen Advocacy Center (CAC) is a community-lawyer based organization using a holistic approach to build democracy. CAC’s Community Lawyers work to strengthen democracy through civic education, policy advocacy and community engagement.
The CAC holds government entities to high standards of transparency, accountability, and accessibility by monitoring government bodies for undemocratic activities, auditing government practices and promoting government best practices. CAC hosts a robust internship program for high school, college, and law students, and provides legal mentoring for new lawyers who are starting their careers in public interest law.
CAC's Community Lawyers work directly with community members providing advice and legal assistance to aid individuals and community groups resolve their issues of public concern. Activities include hosting community forums on issues of civic concern and publishing educational guides that explain federal, state and local laws and significant elements of civic participation, such as how to make a request for public information and how to place a referendum on the ballot as well as what rights people have when they attend government meetings.
CAC’s work of policy advocacy and community engagement at a local level has had an impact at the regional and state level as well. During CAC’s more than 30 years of building democracy, efforts that started at a local level have resulted in statewide and regional initiatives to address undemocratic features in state laws and administrative practices.
Community Stories
“I had made two public comments at village board meetings, which was very scary for a first-year law student,” Barnea said. The community lawyer at the time helped her conduct thorough research and craft effective statements. This experience of confronting government officials in public forums left a lasting impression on Barnea. read more
Citizen Advocacy Center helped her learn about her right to speak out at city council meetings, how to contact state agencies for help, and how to file a Freedom of Information Act request. read more
“It made me realize that public service was what I wanted to do,” said Guzman, who next worked as a public defender. As of 2023, she was a lawyer for the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois, handling complaints against attorneys. read more
“It is one thing to sit at home with your friends and complain,” she said. “It is quite another to say, ‘I can do something about that.’” She learned at CAC what levers to pull to accomplish change in the community, and she used her knowledge to educate others. read more
“It is imperative for young people to realize they have the power not only as journalists but as engaged citizens.” read more
CAC’s community lawyer “knew the chess pieces, he knew the players” and helped her work with the city council and its members. Virgil said Silver “would show up at public comment period and would weigh in with a legal and political analysis.” read more
By contrast, CAC “is not worried about whether clients can afford to pay.” When CAC takes on a litigation matter, the question is whether the case reflects its mission: “How can we advance the ability of citizens to participate in government?” read more
“Reasonable people can argue about the merits of complaints, but no one can argue about the right to make those complaints heard,” he said, looking back on the experience. read more
“It is very valuable for them to see how local government can and should work, particularly given the extremely divisive nature of national politics right now.” read more
