Citizen Watchdog

Track campaign contributions, lobbying expenses, building code violations, criminal courts data and more. You can also find government meeting agendas here. Are we missing any helpful links? Send us suggestions to watchdog@journalsentinel.com 

JUMP TO: Campaign Contributions | Lobbying | Crime and Courts | Business Records 
Milwaukee County | Waukesha County | Ozaukee County | Washington County | Racine County 
Your Right to Know

Look up the money raised and spent by officeholders and candidates for elected office.

• Wisconsin candidates: A searchable database of donations to candidates for state office.
• Candidate committees: Copies of the campaign finance reports filed by candidates for state office and political action committees.
• Federal candidates: Copies of campaign finance reports filed by congressional and presidential candidates and a searchable database of campaign donors and expenditures.

Look up information on individuals who are registered lobbyists as well as the companies that hire them.

• Wisconsin: Lobbyists registered with the state.
• City of Milwaukee: Lobbyists registered with the city.
• U.S. government: Lobbyists registered with the federal government.

Look up everything from parking tickets to felony charges and convictions as well as complaints and disciplinary records against lawyers practicing in Wisconsin.

• Criminal and civil court cases: Pending criminal charges, criminal convictions and civil judgments, along with divorces, restraining orders and other civil matters.
• State Supreme Court and state Court of Appeals cases: Opinions and rules, calendars, "how to" information for filing complaints against lawyers and judges.
• Municipal court cases: Ordinance violations, traffic violations and parking tickets that have been disputed.
• Federal Court of Appeals Cases for the seventh circuit, which includes Wisconsin: Briefs, opinions and digital audio of oral arguments.
• Lawyer disciplinary records: Attorneys who have been suspended or otherwise disciplined.
• Pending complaints against lawyers: Complaints filed by the state's Office of Lawyer Regulation (not by individuals) that are pending before the state Supreme Court.

Look up records ranging from tax returns for nonprofits to filings for publicly traded companies.

• SEC filings by public companies: Documents, such as proxies and annual reports, filed by public companies with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
• Nonprofit tax returns (free registration required): Tax returns, known as 990s, filed by nonprofit groups. (All nonprofits must make their most recent tax returns available upon request.)
• Incorporation records: Records showing when a company was formed and the name of its registered agent.
• Doctors, nurses and other licensed professionals: License status for an array of professions ranging from boxers to surgeons.

Look up agendas, laws, building records and property sales

• City of Milwaukee ordinances: A searchable index of city laws
• City of Milwaukee meeting schedule: Upcoming meetings and agendas
• City of Milwaukee Property Taxes: Tax bills and tax account balances by address and a list of delinquent property tax accounts.
• Milwaukee Properties: Property ownership information, assessed value and neighborhood facts.
• City of Milwaukee Building Code Violations: Code violations through the City Department of Neighborhood Services.
• Milwaukee County Code of Ordinances: A searchable index of laws approved by the County Board
• Milwaukee County Government meetings: An updated schedule for county boards, committees and commissions

Look up agendas, meeting minutes, laws and property records

• Waukesha County property taxes: Listings by address or tax key number, with current tax bill information
• Waukesha County laws: An index of laws approved by the County Board
• Waukesha County government meetings: An updated schedule for boards, committees and commissions
• Waukesha County data warehouse: A free repository of deeds and other property records
• Waukesha County public officials: County and municipal government contacts
• Waukesha County elections: Recent candidate information and campaign results

Look up agendas, meeting minutes, laws and property records

• Ozaukee County government site: Updated schedule of meetings.
• Ozaukee County government meeting minutes: Search minutes for votes and actions of past meetings
• Ozaukee County laws: Review county ordinances
• Ozaukee County Land Information Office: Search property records and assessments
• Ozaukee County floodplain maps (preliminary): Search areas designated as flood zones

Look up agendas, meeting minutes, laws and property records

• Washington County tax and assessment data: Search property records
• Washington County government site: Read meeting minutes and agendas
• Washington County meeting schedules: View upcoming meetings
• Washington County geographic information web portal: Find the names of landowners; tax key information
• Washington County ordinances: View county laws and codes
• City of West Bend municipal code: Review city laws
• Village of Germantown assessment data: Search property records

Look up agendas, meeting minutes, laws and property records

• Racine County government site: Search meeting minutes and agendas
• Racine County ordinances: Searchable index of laws approved by the County Board
• Racine County Circuit Court: Court rules, information about appeals and state forms
• Racine County government site: Calendar of meetings and events
• Racine County public officials: County and municipal government contacts, and election results
• Racine County vital records: Order birth, death and marriage certificates
• Racine County property taxes: Searchable database for property tax inquiries

•  Read Wisconsin's public records law
•  Read the U.S. Freedom of Information Act