Illinois Times SMS PRIVACY POLICY

1. Information we collect

When you opt in to receive SMS messages from Illinois Times we may collect the following personal information:

• Your mobile phone number

• Your name — if provided

• Any information you provide in your message responses

• Message delivery and interaction data — timestamps, status, etc.

2. How we collect your information

We collect information directly from you when:

  • You opt in through a keyword text

3. How we use SMS information

We use your SMS data to:

• Send transactional messages for entry or voting verification.

Analyze message delivery and engagement to improve our services

4. Sharing your information

Illinois Times does NOT sell or share your SMS opt-in data with third parties for their marketing purposes. We may share your information with trusted service providers who help us deliver our SMS messaging services, such as:

• SMS gateway providers

• Phone carriers

• Customer support platforms

These vendors are contractually obligated to keep your information secure and only use it to provide services to Illinois Times

5. Your choices and rights

You can opt out of SMS messages at any time by replying “STOP” to any message. After you opt out, you will no longer receive text messages from us unless you opt in again. To request access to or deletion of your SMS-related data, please contact us at marketing@Illinoistimes.com.  

6. Data security and retention

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data. SMS data is retained only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined above or to comply with legal requirements.

7. Changes to this policy

We may update this SMS privacy policy periodically. If we make material changes, we’ll notify you via SMS. Continued use of our SMS service indicates your acceptance of the revised policy.

8. Contact us

If you have any questions about this policy or your SMS data, please contact us at: Illinois Times, 217-679-7814.