CHICAGO, May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago Tribune will launch a first-of-its-kind help desk to assist the public in accessing government records, opening a new front in the news organization's focus on watchdog reporting.

Beginning Sunday, May 3, people can log onto chicagotribune.com to get advice on how to navigate government bureaucracies to get public information about schools, municipal governments and police departments. The new website includes an online forum hosted by Tribune experts, which will grow into a gathering place for citizens wanting to get or give advice on how to learn more about the workings of their government.

"We are committed at Chicago Tribune to being your watchdog in the corridors of power to ensure that your government lives up to your standards of honesty and openness," said Gerould Kern, Senior Vice President and Editor. "At every level of government in Illinois, citizens routinely encounter a culture of secrecy that denies you information about the way your government makes decisions. Police reports, school board deliberations, and investigations into public corruption itself, these records belong to you but too often you're told you cannot see them. So we're turning our spotlight on your government in secret."

The open records help desk is led by a group of Tribune experts who have demonstrated their commitment to watchdog journalism, which includes breaking news on former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich. To interview journalists involved in this project and hosting the forum on Sunday, May 3, please contact Kate Mersman.

About Chicago Tribune Media Group

Chicago Tribune Media Group publishes the Pulitzer Prize-winning Chicago Tribune as well as related print and interactive media serving Chicagoland like RedEye, Hoy, Triblocal, chicagotribune.com, chicagosports.com and metromix.com.

SOURCE Chicago Tribune

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