Greetings!I'm Dustin Good.
I build tools for locally elected officials.I'm also currently serving a second term on Elgin City Council.
Initiatives
I'm interested in partnering with residents and working on initiatives that connect various community stakeholders and are going to be around long after my time on council.
Block Party in a Box
The 'Block Party in a Box' initiative is a program designed to facilitate small-scale, resident-driven events in the community and improve resident-to-resident relations. The program provides a trailer stocked with all the necessary materials and equipment needed to throw a residential block party. By removing barriers to hosting these types of events and providing a convenient way for residents to come together and celebrate their neighborhood, the 'Block Party in a Box' initiative aims to build a stronger and more connected community.
Litter Lotto
The Litter Lotto is a community initiative that aims to improve the cleanliness of local neighborhoods through shared action and engagement. As part of the program, local businesses donate gift cards or services as prizes, while residents can participate by completing a litter clean-up in their area and posting before and after photos of their work. By offering incentives and recognizing the efforts of individuals who are dedicated to keeping their community clean, the Litter Lotto seeks to encourage more people to get involved in litter clean-up efforts and make a positive impact on their neighborhood.
Block Stewards
The 'Block Stewards' program is a community initiative that seeks to empower residents to take an active role in improving the health and well-being of their neighborhood. Participants in the program, known as 'Block Stewards,' are responsible for conducting block audits to identify any issues such as potholes, burnt-out streetlights, or damaged sidewalks. They also work to encourage their neighbors to come together for annual litter collections, collaborative yard sales, block parties, and other events that foster a sense of community. As a reward for their efforts, Block Stewards are given free access to city facilities and VIP tickets to city events. Through this program, residents are able to work together to create a stronger and more vibrant community.
Work
City Council
As a Councilmember for the City of Elgin, I work with staff, fellow council members, residents, and external stakeholders to leverage technology for civic engagement and streamlined municipal operations. I advocate for innovative, responsible AI integration to improve local governance and public services.Professional Experience
My career has spanned multiple industries, from working as a third-generation mechanic and alongside an executive chef to horticulture and the startup world. These experiences have shaped my approach to problem-solving, adaptability, and systems thinking.More recently, I transitioned into technology, working in a hybrid marketing and operations role within a production lab before moving full-time into Coda.io development. This shift allowed me to refine my expertise in automation, AI-driven workflows, and scalable digital solutions.My experience spans:- Organizational Wikis – Structuring and maintaining knowledge bases for teams
- Workflow Automation – Streamlining processes to improve efficiency
- AI Integration & Multi-Agent Systems – Leveraging AI for both one-off tasks and complex multi-agent configurations
- Data Optimization & Cleaning – Organizing, refining, and enhancing data for better decision-making
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership – Collaborating across disciplines to drive projects forwardTech Stack
I use a wide range including Coda, Cursor, Replit, Airtable, Slack, OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral, Midjourney, Canva, Carrd, and Google Workspace. This diverse toolkit allows me to create quick solutions.Current Focus
I'm deeply engaged in exploring the intersection of AI and Local Government. This includes:- Developing CivicAide, a toolkit for locally elected officials
- Researching ethical AI implementation in public services
- Contributing to Johns Hopkins City AI Connect community
Contact
Elgin City Council
Elgin, Illinois is the sixth largest city in Illinois located thirty-five miles west of Chicago. We are part-time at-large representatives serving four year terms.
Council Initiatives
Projects I've worked on this past year:
Here is my budget summary doc that contains primary source info as well as a few GenAI bells & Whistles. One feature this year is the Budget Bot down in the lower right corner of this page.
Designed for locally elected officials to better serve their communities.
"this just doesn't exist" - anonymous local elected official
Meant to educate and get people thinking about implementation plans and costs.
Custom GPT to help people make Coda Packs.
"was really nice not to have to feed it (chatGPT) EXTRA context to tell it that I was developing in a pack" - @thecodaguy
Open-source bot for residents of Elgin Illinois.
Though my first ever coding project is now dated, I'm happy to say the City of Elgin has contracted with Citibot.io.
Try out my experimental Budget Bot!
Feel free to ask it for a summary, where taxes are going up, and where your tax dollars are going.
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