Privacy Policy
Last updated: September 15, 2026
ChicagoCritic.com (“Chicago Critic,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains the types of information that may be collected when you visit ChicagoCritic.com, how that information may be used and shared, and the choices available to you.
Information We Collect
We may collect information that you provide directly to us, such as your name, email address and the contents of a message when you contact us, subscribe to a newsletter or otherwise communicate with Chicago Critic.
When you use the website, certain information may also be collected automatically by us or by service providers and advertising or analytics partners. Depending on the services in use, this may include your Internet Protocol (IP) address, browser and device information, operating system, referring and exit pages, pages viewed, approximate location derived from an IP address, dates and times of visits, interactions with the site, and cookie or similar identifiers.
How We Use Information
We may use information to operate and maintain ChicagoCritic.com; respond to messages and requests; provide newsletters or other communications you request; understand how visitors use the site; improve our content and website; measure site and advertising performance; display and manage advertising; detect and prevent fraud, abuse or security problems; and comply with legal obligations.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
ChicagoCritic.com and third parties that provide services through the site may use cookies, pixels, web beacons and similar technologies. These technologies can help operate website features, remember preferences, measure traffic and usage, understand how visitors interact with the site, and support advertising and measurement.
You can generally control or delete cookies through your browser settings. Blocking some cookies may affect the operation or availability of certain website features. Where a consent or privacy-choice tool is provided on the site, you may also use that tool to manage available choices.
Advertising and Analytics
ChicagoCritic.com may use third-party advertising and analytics services. The site’s current configuration includes Google advertising technology and legacy Google Analytics code. These and other services used by the site may collect information through cookies and similar technologies to provide, measure, personalize or improve advertising and to understand website usage.
Third-party providers process information under their own privacy policies and may offer their own controls for advertising and data use. You can learn about interest-based advertising choices through the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out resources.
How We Share Information
We may share information with companies that help us operate the website and provide services, including hosting, security, analytics, advertising, email or communications providers. We may also disclose information when reasonably necessary to comply with law, legal process or governmental requests; enforce or protect our rights; investigate fraud, abuse or security concerns; or protect the rights, property or safety of Chicago Critic, our visitors or others.
If Chicago Critic or substantially all or part of its assets are involved in a merger, acquisition, reorganization, financing, sale or similar transaction, information associated with the website may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to applicable law.
Your Privacy Choices
You may use available browser settings and site privacy controls to manage cookies and certain tracking technologies. If you receive promotional email from us, you may use the unsubscribe instructions included in those messages.
Some browsers and devices support privacy preference signals such as Global Privacy Control (GPC). Where applicable law requires us to recognize such a signal for a particular processing activity, we will treat a supported signal as a request to opt out for the browser or device from which the signal is sent.
California Privacy Rights
California privacy laws provide certain residents with rights regarding their personal information when those laws apply to a business and its processing activities. Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, those rights may include requesting information about the personal information collected, used or disclosed; requesting deletion or correction; and opting out of certain sales or sharing of personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising.
Where these rights apply to Chicago Critic, you may submit a privacy request using the contact information below. We may need to verify your request before responding. We will not discriminate against you for exercising privacy rights provided by applicable law.
If Chicago Critic engages in activities that require a dedicated “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” mechanism under applicable law, the appropriate privacy choice will be made available through the website. We do not use this statement to characterize advertising-related data transfers as outside the legal definitions of “sale” or “sharing.”
Children’s Privacy
ChicagoCritic.com is a general-audience website and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that personal information from a child under 13 has been collected in a manner that requires deletion, we will take reasonable steps to delete it.
Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including to operate the site, respond to requests, maintain appropriate business and security records, and satisfy legal obligations. Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information, why it was collected and applicable legal requirements.
Data Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical and organizational measures designed to protect information under our control. No website, network or method of electronic storage or transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure, however, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Affiliate Links and Advertising Relationships
Some Chicago Critic content may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or take another qualifying action through an affiliate link, Chicago Critic may receive a commission or other compensation. When applicable, affiliate relationships should also be disclosed clearly in or near the relevant content. Advertising and affiliate relationships do not change our commitment to independent editorial coverage.
Third-Party Websites and Embedded Content
ChicagoCritic.com links to third-party websites and may display content or services provided by third parties. Those third parties may collect information when you interact with their websites, content or services. Chicago Critic does not control their privacy practices, and this Privacy Policy does not apply to third-party websites or services. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy as our website, services or legal obligations change. When we make changes, we will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. We encourage visitors to review this policy periodically.
Contact Us
Questions or privacy requests may be sent to info at ChicagoCritic.com or by mail to:
ChicagoCritic.com
17853 Santiago Blvd
#107-261
Villa Park, CA 92861