“Government is too big… And too important…
To be left to the Politicians.”
- Chester Bowles, Former Governor of Connecticut
Who We Are
Developing Government Accountability to the People (DGAP) is a dynamic network comprised of a diverse group of community organizations, academic institutions, policy institutions, unions, and private foundations and concerned individuals. DGAP is united in a common set of beliefs: We believe that government should operate in an open, inclusive, and democratic manner, and be accountable to its citizenry; We believe in a International Human Rights standard, and economic, social, racial, gender, environmental and cultural justice; We believe that community residents have a right to information and the right to be included in the decision-making process in their neighborhood; We believe neighborhood residents are often the best experts on what their communities truly need; We believe it is our right - and duty - to organize around issues of good government.
If our democracy is to flourish, it must have criticism;
If our government is to function it must have dissent.
- Henry Commager, American Historian
Mission Statement
DGAP is building a comprehensive, just agenda to create participatory democracy in Chicago. As a collaborative effort of organizations and individuals, we hold local government accountable and seek a voice in decision making for all who are affected by the issues and problems that face our city.
What We Do
The DGAP network is building a comprehensive people’s agenda to create and preserve a participatory democratic society. We are concerned about such issues as low income housing, police accountability, education, public transportation, economic development, environment, health care, ethics, and other such social justice topics.
Together as a network we have come together to highlight these issues and identify and combat the root causes — the problems of pay-to-play politics, and the extent that patronage, financial strength, and corruption can influence the decision-making in Chicago’s neighborhoods, regardless of the desire of the neighborhood residents. Further, we are working to utilize a government accountability analysis to help in local organizing campaigns.
Voices from the Field
The DGAP network is creating a space for groups and residents to come together and create campaigns, projects, coalitions, and policy tools that will create true government accountability. Here are some of the reasons Chicago leaders have joined the network…
“It is imperative that we create systematic ways for community residents to have voice and impact in what happens in their neighborhoods, their city and ultimately their lives. In Pilsen we are committed to creating genuine community accountability and oversight committees that gives residents decision-making power to decide the destiny of our community. We see DGAP as the network that will reform the Chicago Political Machine that systematically disenfranchises working-class and communities of color and benefit those with power, political clout and money.”
–Alejandra Ibaňez, Executive Director, Pilsen Alliance.
“Accountability can also come from outside Chicago and we have been working through the DGAP network to create a Shadow Report as part of the race convention to the United Nations that details racial injustices perpetuated in and by the City of Chicago.”
–Doug Schenklenberg, Associate Director of Policy, Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights
“We believe that we can work together to create tools for local community-based organizations to build a strong government accountability analysis in their organizing campaigns. Together we can get at root causes of injustice in Chicago and change how decisions are made.”
–Rey Lopez-Calderon, Lead Organizer, Southside Organizers’ Summit
“We need more transparency about how the city does business. We need to take a serious look at pay-to-play and other corrupt practices that harm our communities.”
–James Pflueckes, Coalition to Protect Public Housing
–Rey Lopez-Calderon, Lead Organizer, Southside Organizers’ Summit
“We need more transparency about how the city does business. We need to take a serious look at pay-to-play and other corrupt practices that harm our communities.”
–James Pflueckes, Coalition to Protect Public Housing
Each organization involved in the network participates in as many or as few campaigns as their mission, capability and goals enable them. Any member of the network may propose new projects and campaigns, and as the work and relationships of DGAP mature, the scope of our network work will grow.
This website contains information on current DGAP happenings and previous projects, as well as links to interesting and useful websites.
To learn more about DGAP, its working groups, current or former projects, please call 312-698-5024 or email dgapchicago@gmail.com.
Steering Committee Members:
Alianza Leadership Institute, Coalition to Protect Public Housing, Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, Lugenia Burnes Hope Center, Nathalie P. Voorhees Center for Neighborhood and Community Improvement, Pilsen Alliance, and the Southside Organizers’ Summit
Contributors:
Access Living, Alianza, Applied Research Center, Better Government Association, Blocks Together, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Chicago Recycling Coalition, Community Renewal Society, Coalition to Protect Public Housing, DePaul Egan Urban Center, DePaul University Geography Department, The Dina and Eli Field EZRA Multi-Service Center, Grassroots Collaborative, Illinois Public Interest Research Group, Independent Voters of Illinois - Independent Precinct Organization, Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, Jobs with Justice, Lakeview Action Coalition, Lugenia Burns Hope Center, Metro Seniors in Action, Nathalie P. Voorhees Center for Neighborhood and Community Improvement, Pilsen Environmental Rights and Reform Organization, Pilsen Alliance, San Lucas Workers Center, SEIU Local 73, Southside Together Organizing for Power, Southside Organizers’ Summit