An Illinois nonprofit investigative journalism group wants to train citizens to learn how to keep an eye on government.
The Better Government Association (BGA) is hosting a "watchdog training" session in Naperville on April 24.
The session, which is free and runs from 7-9 p.m., aims to teach residents about government, the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Investigative journalists and attorneys will offer an array of tools that people can use to become proficient in watchdog skills, using existing laws “to ensure [that] government agencies are open and transparent.”
“There is a very big problem with FOIA compliance in Illinois, a state that needs transparency more than any because of its history of corruption,” Matt Topic, BGA’s independent legal counsel, said in a press release.
Watchdog training course material will include learning how and when to use FOIA and how to file an appeal when FOIA requests are denied.
The session will be at the DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church, 1828 Old Naperville Road. It is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters Naperville.
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