Intrepid citizens with a knack for discovery can sharpen their perceptions at a free “Citizen Watchdog” training event from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the Holiday Inn Express, 1000 Plummer Drive in Edwardsville.
The Americans for Prosperity Foundation-Illinois is hosting the event, which is meant to help citizens hold elected officials accountable, according to the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW), a public advocacy group that is running the program.
The seminar will teach attendees how to access and utilize public information, learn about open meetings and freedom of information regulations, and become equipped to independently investigate matters regarding how jurisdictions spend taxpayer dollars.
“The Edgar County Watchdogs want to help you become a watchdog in your community,” the group said.
According to the advertisement for the event, the watchdog group’s efforts have resulted in consequences for more than 200 elected officials in Illinois.
The grassroots organization Americans for Prosperity is a conservative political advocacy group founded in 2004 and funded by businessmen and philanthropist brothers David and Charles Koch. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, its mission is to activate citizen advocacy and put a halt to excessive government spending and catering to special interest groups.
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