About FOIA Gras
FOIA Gras is a newsletter focused on government transparency and accountability in the Chicago suburbs, particularly Evanston, Skokie, Niles, Wilmette, and New Trier.
Why Transparency Matters
Transparency in governance is important to a well-functioning community. This means understanding how money is being spent and why. It means that when a member of the public shows up at a government agency with a question, they are supported and not obstructed.
Lack of transparency is a cause of many of the worst problems we see - misuse of funds, poor planning, and communities that do not trust their elected officials.
In the past, local newspapers provided meaningful oversight of local government. As they have declined, the burden has shifted to citizens. FOIA Gras aims to help fill that gap.
What We Do
- Investigative Journalism: In-depth reporting on local government accountability issues
- Document Monitoring: Automated tracking of meeting agendas, minutes, and attachments from local government bodies
- Full-Text Search: Search across thousands of government documents to find what matters to you
Comment Policy
- National political discussion is allowed if relevant and respectful
- Private individuals (teachers, staff, citizens) are off-limits for criticism
- Public officials and those who speak at public meetings are fair discussion topics
- Anonymous comments are permitted but held to stricter moderation standards
- One account per person; violations result in permanent bans
About the Author
Tom Hayden lives in Evanston and operates a small corrosion industry business. He has an elementary-age child in District 65.
Contact & Tips
Have a tip about FOIAble records? Questions about local government? Get in touch:
Note: I accept tips about public records and government accountability issues. I am not able to help with personal information requests.