As part of a continuing effort to increase transparency, the City of Chicago has launched the Chicago Data Dictionary, a first-of-its-kind massive public metadata repository, or searchable archive of “data describing data,” in which users can access information about the various data held in the City’s numerous databases. The City developed the Dictionary in partnership with the University of Chicago’s Chapin Hall and with support from MacArthur. The Data Dictionary will serve as a resource for anyone interested in understanding what data is collected by city agencies and departments, how and if it may be accessed, and in what format it exists. The City developed the platform for the Dictionary and will release it to cities, states, companies, nonprofits and other organizations seeking to create their own data dictionaries.
