How to Engage With Your Local Government

I first learned how local government worked as a kid earning my Citizenship in the Community merit badge. I remember sitting in the back of a City Council meeting, probably bored, dutifully taking notes for my Scoutmaster and merit badge counselor. Then life happened - work, family, four boys of my own - and I stopped paying attention to when these bodies met or what they were deciding.

Earlier this year, I found myself back in Council Chambers for the first time in decades, asking for approval for a 5K I was organizing for St. Elizabeth. That reminded me that this is how things actually get done - not on Facebook, but in rooms like that one, where anyone can show up and be heard.

As I started building GraniteCitizen, I kept looking up meeting schedules and digging through different websites for agendas. It occurred to me that this information should be in one place. So here it is - for anyone else ready to re-engage with how our city runs.

At the January 20th City Council meeting, Mayor Parkinson addressed community concerns about data centers that had been circulating on social media. His response was direct: "We're not going to negotiate things on Facebook. That's not the way it works. So, attend the public meetings. Come here. Listen to what we have to say."

He's right - and not just about data centers. Social media is great for raising awareness, but it's not where decisions get made. The decisions happen in rooms like Council Chambers, where anyone can walk in, sit down, and have their voice heard.

Your local government makes decisions that affect your daily life - from road repairs to zoning rules to how your tax dollars get spent. And unlike state or federal politics, you can actually walk into the room where it happens.

Democracy is a participation sport. The meetings are open. The seats are there. All you have to do is show up.

Here's how.

Granite City's City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 2001 Edison Avenue (second floor).

The Township Board meets first at 7 PM, followed immediately by the City Council meeting. Both are open to the public.

What to expect: Meetings open with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by roll call, approval of previous meeting minutes, and then committee reports. Most business moves quickly - bill payments, routine approvals, reports placed on file. But this is also where development projects get discussed, ordinances get passed, and city leaders explain their decisions.

Watch online: Meetings are streamed live and archived on the city's YouTube channel at youtube.com/@GraniteCityIllinois.

Find agendas and minutes: granitecity.illinois.gov/government/agendas_minutes.php

Unlike a public hearing where you can simply show up, addressing the City Council requires advance notice.

To request to speak:

The application form is available at City Hall or online at granitecity.illinois.gov/government/documents_forms.php.

For public hearings: The process is simpler. Just show up and sign in on the sheet provided. Public hearings are announced in advance for major decisions like TIF districts, zoning changes, and development agreements.

Granite City is divided into five wards, each represented by two aldermen on City Council. To find your ward and your representatives:

Your aldermen are your direct line to city government. They can answer questions, hear concerns, and advocate for your neighborhood.

The Granite City School District #9 Board of Education meets approximately twice monthly at 6 PM at the District Office, 3200 Maryville Road.

The schedule varies - check the district calendar for specific dates. Recent meetings have been held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, but this isn't fixed.

Find agendas and minutes: gcsd9.net/district/board/archived-meetings-and-minutes

District calendar: gcsd9.net/gcsd9-calendar

The Granite City Park District Board of Commissioners meets at 5:30 PM at Wilson Park, 2900 Benton Street.

The regular schedule is the second and fourth Wednesdays during February, March, April, June, July, August, September, and October. The schedule is reduced during other months - check their website for specific dates.

Find agendas and minutes: gcparkdistrict.com/minutes-and-agendas

To address the board: Submit your request by 3 PM on the Friday before the meeting.

The Planning & Zoning Commission reviews development proposals, zoning changes, and land use questions before they come to City Council. Meetings are typically held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 PM, though locations can vary.

Find agendas and minutes: granitecity.illinois.gov (under Public Notices > Plan Commission)

Note: The February 5th, 2026 Planning & Zoning meeting will be held at The Mill, not Council Chambers.

Attending meetings isn't the only way to engage:

Contact the Mayor: (618) 452-6214 or through the online form at egovlink.com/granitecity

Call City Hall: (618) 452-6200

Report issues: The city's e-Government portal at egovlink.com/granitecity lets you submit requests and find documents.

Watch for public hearings: Major decisions require public hearings with advance notice. This is your formal opportunity to be heard on the record.

City Hall: 2001 Edison Avenue, Granite City, IL 62040 Phone: (618) 452-6200

Have a story tip or want to get involved? Contact me at [email protected].

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