Observer Corps.

League of Women Voters^®
of Geneva-St. Charles

LWV Members Observe and Monitor Kane County Government

If you are interested in learning more or would like to participate, please e-mail observers@lwvgenstc.org

Disclaimer. July_August 2008. Wanted. Observer archives. Links. Press Release.

2008 Observer Reports

Observer Reports are written by volunteer observers who are members of the Government Monitoring Committee of the League of Women Voters of Geneva-St. Charles, and are presented here as a public service. Although every reasonable attempt has been made to adequately prepare and train members of the Government Monitoring Committee, reports of specific Kane County meetings and committee meetings are intended solely as informal sources of information on local governance and issues. These reports are not necessarily indicative of League of Women Voters policy or positions, nor are they intended to represent any official record. They are merely observations made by individuals committed to open government and access to information.

July/August 2008

Kane County Forest Preserve Utilization Committee: August 29, 2008
Campton Hills Special Board Meeting: July 29, 2008
Campton Hills Appropriation Ordinance

Need More Help

We are looking for more folks interested in monitoring and covering governmental meetings for us. Please contact Info if you are interested and want more information.

Past Observer Reports

Read past reports from our Observer Report Archive

Helpful Links

Sunshine Week article 3/14/2007 Kane County Chronicle
IL Attorney General Information on Open Meetings Act and more
Kane County Meetings and Commissions Minutes
Kane County Chronicle
Daily Herald

Elgin Courier
Beacon News-Aurora
Illnois Statewide Online Newspapers
Society of Professional Journalists
Better Government Association

Sunshine Week March 11-17, 2007

Sunshine Week will be celebrated during the week of March 11-17, 2007. Participants of this national non-partisan initiative include print, broadcast and online news media; civic groups, libraries, non-profits, schools and others interested in the public's constitutional right to know. This event is dedicated to enlightening and empowering people to play an active role in all levels of their government, and giving them access to vital information that makes their lives better and their communities stronger.
In accordance with the spirit of Sunshine Week, The League of Women Voters of Geneva-St. Charles recently launched an Observer Corps and they have begun attending and monitoring Kane County government meetings. Members provide a summary of activities of the various standing committees; then report their observations back to the Observer Corps. for possible discussion or further action. These reports are uploaded to the http://www.lwvgenstc.org website which is available for public viewing.
The ability to access public records and to attend government meetings impacts everyone. The League believes everyone has the right to know what their government is doing. Knowledge of what information is legally accessible, as well as how to obtain such data, is essential to maintain transparent government, as envisioned by our Founding Fathers.
To ensure the continuation of open, transparent governance, LWV Geneva-St. Charles strongly encourages local individuals, officials, and organizations to join us in this national non-partisan initiative to preserve the essence of our democracy. If you, your governing body, or organization shares these values, please support this initiative by signing our pledge committed to an open, transparent government by simply providing your name, e-mail address, and organization to info@lwvgenstc.org. Supporters of this initiative will be publicized during activities slated for Sunshine Week 2008. Thank you, in advance, for ensuring democracy works for the people!
Darlene Bakk, President (past) League of Women Voters of Geneva-St. Charles
Freedom of Information letter to editor: July, 2008

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: September 3, 2008 18:15 PDT.