Chicago city government is finally moving out of the technological stone age. Two years ago, the City Council gave City Clerk Miguel del Valle permission to stream full council meetings live on the city's website. Now, his office is archiving full videos of the proceedings online.

That's a basic, yet valuable, step towards increasing transparency at City Hall. "It’s important as citizens that we hold them accountable," Dick Simpson told the Tribune, "and we’re able to see exactly what they do, how they do it and whether they are truly representing us.”  The next step, according to Andy Shaw of the Better Government Association, would be to broadcast the meetings live on television.