About American Citizens
Local Roots. Civic Purpose.
American Citizens is a group of individuals in Ogle and Lee County, Illinois, working to help fellow citizens better understand how government affects their daily lives and the offices they are asked to vote for.
Why We Exist
We created this organization because it is often difficult to find clear, accurate, and complete information about how government works and what citizens need to know to participate effectively.
As a result, many people do not engage in the process at all. When participation declines, those involved in government may not fully represent the will of the people.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is twofold:
Make Information Accessible
Provide a single place where citizens can easily find the information they need to become informed voters.
Explain Good Government
Outline the characteristics of effective and responsible government so individuals can decide for themselves how they wish to vote.
What This Website Provides
This website serves as a resource for objective, factual information about government institutions and the offices responsible for them.
We have listed every office you vote for, along with a clear explanation of what each one is intended to do.
While members of our organization hold personal views, we intentionally separate those views from our content so that individuals of any political perspective can use this resource to better understand how government impacts their lives.
The Nature of Public Office
An office is not a person. The individual who holds an office is not the office itself, but a steward of the law.
Public officials do not rule; they carry out the responsibilities defined by law. The authority of an office is not determined by the individual who holds it, but by the legal structure that defines it.
Through elections, citizens choose representatives to uphold the law and help maintain a society governed by it.