ICOG News - Indiana Coalition for Open Government

Governor Braun appoints Brittney Long as the new Public Access Counselor

In a press release from October 2nd, Governor Mike Braun announced that Brittney Long will be the new Public Access Counselor. “Brittney has the legal credentials and passion for public service that makes her an excellent fit for the job,” said Gov. Braun. “As our next PAC, Brittney will bring...

IndyStar: Media orgs threaten legal action over delays in Indiana’s public access office

Grace Randolph. 2026-08-05. Indianapolis Star. You can read the letter from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press here. Update: Gov. Mike Braun released the following statement after the initial publication of the story: "Gov. Braun has long been an advocate for transparency. That is...

IndyStar: Under Braun’s watchdog, government secrecy grows harder to challenge

Cate Charron & Grace Randolph. 2026-07-24. Indianapolis Star Indiana’s public access counselor is supposed to ensure transparency in government. But under Gov. Mike Braun’s appointee, Jennifer Ruby, it has become far more difficult for Hoosiers to challenge government secrecy, an IndyStar...

Indiana Public Access Counselor, Jennifer Ruby, Publishes First Two Opinions

You can read the first two (and more in the future) 2025 Advisory Opinions from Indiana's new Public Access Counselor, Jennifer Ruby: 25-FC-00B: Alleged Violation of the Access to Public Records Act by the New Carlisle Town Council 25-FC-003: Alleged Violation of the Open Door Law by the Green...

Who you gonna call? 260-ASK-ICOG!

We are excited to launch our public access (ODL, APRA, and civics phone help line), 260-ASK-ICOG. Staffed by ICOG volunteers, we'll do our best to assist you with your questions related to open government in the Hoosier state. Currently being explored as a pilot project, we will re-evaluate the...

News from Indiana

IndyStar: CARES funds’ usage debated: Some wonder if city’s attempt to boost tourism during pandemic was sensible

Dec 29, 2020

Pak-Harvey, Amelia. 2020. CARES funds' usage debated: Some wonder if city's attempt to boost tourism during pandemic was sensible. Indianapolis Star, Dec 26, 2020. (accessed December 29, 2020). Drinks and dinner at a trendy steakhouse. Live outdoor music. A night out...

WNDU: The transparency behind South Bend’s updated Transparency Hub

Dec 4, 2020

By Joshua ShortPublished: Dec. 1, 2020 at 6:20 PM EST SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - Today South Bend city officials announced the launch of its improved police department’s Transparency Hub. To put it simply, the update is more user-friendly and allows residents to view...

Square Beacon: Indiana’s public access counselor opinion shows Bloomington’s city council has a transparency problem

Dec 3, 2020

Dave Askins, B Square Beacon, November 29, 2020 On June 10 this year, Bloomington’s city council decided to hire then-deputy council administrator/attorney Stephen Lucas to replace the retiring Dan Sherman. Lucas had been serving as Sherman’s deputy for about nine...

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Post-Tribune: State officials have to come up with plan to meet OSHA vaccine standard for local government employees, which has left local sheriff’s departments with different interpretations

Nov 8, 2021

Kukulka, Alexandra. 2021. State officials have to come up with plan to meet OSHA vaccine standard for local government employees, which has left local sheriff's departments with different interpretations. TCA Regional News, Nov 08, 2021. (accessed November 28, 2021)....

Journal & Courier: Trustee refuses to work with board

Sep 28, 2021

Wilkins, Ron. 2021. Trustee refuses to work with board. Journal & Courier, Sep 12, 2021. (accessed November 28, 2021). Fairfield Township Trustee Taletha Coles continues to ignore Indiana laws that require trustees attend township board meetings and make public...

NWI Times: All-electronic government meetings must end when Indiana COVID-19 emergency expires

Jun 21, 2021

Carden, Dan. 2021. All-electronic government meetings must end when Indiana COVID-19 emergency expires. TCA Regional News, Jun 09, 2021. (accessed June 21, 2021). The Hoosier State's experiment with all-electronic local government meetings is coming to an end.When...