Cheat Sheet: C-U Local

This year's mid-term elections have County races on the ballot (primary voting has begun: more info here), so I'm going to keep focusing on making sure whatever helpful information for voters, candidates, and folks just curious about how to engage with their local government can find answers to their questions.

But, what about other local government? I'm fiddling with that, but it is a work in progress (slow slow progress). Right now it's called the Cheat Sheet: C-U Local. Here's the gist:

Information about the local Champaign-Urbana government and how to learn more about the City Councils, Township Boards and other local government offices such as:

• Their membership information and contact information

• Policy issues

• Latest news links

• Maps

• Information for candidates and about candidates

• Election information and upcoming races

• More up to date meeting information

• Primers on major local issues

• Issue positions and candidate statements

In time, with some hard work, this will hopefully be an easy and quick guide on what's going on with local government, how to effect change in it, and how it works for everyday voters. Someday I hope it can be useful enough for the political wonks, help folks become more political wonky and maybe even run for and become part of their local government.

The information is intended to be factual and based on government resources, local journalism sources, government officials themselves (either directly or through those same sources) and presented without spin as we observe it. We aren't endorsing any candidates or party. We merely hope people will simply find their local government more easily accessible, influencing it easier, and voting for it more informed.

There's not much there yet. But that's how the Champaign County Cheat Sheet got started.