Over the years, City Bureau’s work has brought about transformative change in newsrooms, neighborhoods, and public policy. As a national civic media lab based in Chicago, we build people-powered journalism that equips communities with the information, tools, and resources they need to navigate their lives, shape their futures, and cultivate a more just and participatory democracy. We’ve supported early-career journalists as they grow into newsroom leaders, exposed discriminatory banking practices that led to major reinvestment in Black and Latinx communities, and equipped neighbors with tools to shape development in their own backyards.
These stories show how lived experience can drive rigorous reporting, and how that reporting can lead to meaningful shifts in policy, practice, and community power. Learn more about some of our inspiring impact stories below.
Civic Reporting Fellowship: Shaping the Future of Community Journalism
Samantha Smylie came to City Bureau’s Civic Reporting Fellowship with no formal journalism experience. They are now the State Education Reporter at Chalkbeat Chicago covering daily news, breaking stories, and investigative pieces on K-12 education. They credit the fellowship with giving them a full understanding of what it takes to turn an idea into a news product. They have contributed to the Hyde Park Herald, Block Club Chicago, and the Chicago Reader, and participated in ProPublica’s Data Institute.
Policy Impact: Driving Accountability and Systems Change
In 2020, an investigation we published in partnership with WBEZ revealed stark racial disparities in home lending practices in Chicago by major banks. The story sparked a protest that led Chase Bank to invest $600 million in new home mortgage lending for Black and Latinx families across the city, and prompted policy changes at the city and state level. The story was directly informed by the lived experiences of the reporters: one had worked as a community banker on the South Side, and another’s family had personally navigated racist home lending practices when purchasing his childhood home. It reached a broad audience because of our longstanding partnership with WBEZ, and we organized a free workshop for people looking to move their money into financial institutions that support their communities and align with their values.
In Our Neighborhoods: Building Community Power
In 2022, City Bureau released a special project informed by Civic Reporting Fellows, our Community Benefits Agreement Zine. The zine is a resource guide that explores tools for equitable community development and we have distributed 8,460 copies in English and Spanish. We distributed the zine for free by mail and in person through partnerships with Chicago Public Libraries, mutual aid organizations, community groups, and local businesses. Since its publication, Warehouse Workers for Justice shared copies with community members as an educational and organizing tool, and Ald. Rosanna Rodriguez Sanchez shared English-language guides with community-driven zoning and development partners in the 33rd Ward.
The Power of the Documenters Network
Across the country, the Documenters Network is strengthening local democracy by paying and training residents to monitor public meetings and share clear, actionable information with their neighbors. More than 5,600 Documenters have completed over 12,000 assignments, earning a collective $1 million for their civic participation and helping to create a more accessible record of government in action. From research showing how community notes improve official records to a longtime Chicago Documenter completing 100+ assignments, these stories reflect a growing, people-powered movement for accountability and civic engagement.
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