Saint Xavier University and the Better Government Association offer Citizen Watchdog Training Class

Chicago (Feb. 10, 2012) Saint Xavier University’s (SXU) Center for the Study of Fraud and Corruption (CSFC) and the Better Government Association (BGA) team up to offer a “Citizen Watchdog Training Class” on Thurs., Feb. 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Butler Reception Room of the Warde Academic Center, 3700 W. 103rd St. In an effort to empower citizens to examine government and demand the changes they want to see, the community-at-large is invited to attend this FREE training class led by veteran journalists and legal professionals.

The BGA and the CSFC believe that government does a better job of serving the people when the people keep a closer eye on government. In advancing this belief, the BGA regularly hosts these training classes throughout the State of Illinois. This class is an outstanding opportunity to learn more about the Open Meetings Act, the Freedom of Information Act, and other tools available for discovering how your government actually works.

Additionally, members of the BGA’s Investigative Unit will be on hand during the class to take tips and hear complaints from concerned citizens about possible instances of fraud, waste and corruption.

“If you want the government to work for you, you must understand how the government works,” said Prof. William J. Kresse, director of the Center for the Study of Fraud and Corruption at SXU. “The Saint Xavier University Center for the Study of Fraud and Corruption is proud to partner with the Better Government Association in this effort to train all citizens in how they can make a difference in their communities.”

The Better Government Association is a Chicago-based non-profit, non-partisan watchdog group that works for integrity, transparency and accountability in government by exposing corruption and inefficiency, identifying and advocating effective public policy, and engaging and mobilizing the electorate to achieve authentic and responsible reform.

To RSVP for the Citizen Watchdog Training Class or for more information, please contact Barb Macholz at the BGA at bmacholz@bettergov.org or (312) 821-9025.

-SXU-

Media Contact:
Karla Thomas, Executive Director of Media Relations
(773) 298-3937 or kthomas@sxu.edu