Privacy Policy
Our Privacy Policy outlines how Thornton Township collects, uses, and safeguards your personal information. We prioritize your privacy, ensuring that your data is used responsibly and solely for community updates and relevant announcements. Thornton Township (“Thornton Township,” the “Township,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy (this “Policy”) […]
Our Privacy Policy outlines how Thornton Township collects, uses, and safeguards your personal information. We prioritize your privacy, ensuring that your data is used responsibly and solely for community updates and relevant announcements.
Thornton Township (“Thornton Township,” the “Township,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy (this “Policy”) describes how we collect, use, and disclose personal information of users of our services, including our website at thorntontownship.com (our “Site”) and our text messaging (SMS) program. Please read this Policy carefully.
By using our Site, you agree to the terms of this Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Policy, please do not use our Site. Your use of our Site for the limited and exclusive purpose of reviewing this Policy does not constitute your agreement to this Policy unless you make further use of our Site. This Policy may be updated from time to time.
This Policy describes:
- The personal information we collect
- How we collect such information
- How such information is used
- How such information is shared
- Your choices and how to opt out
- How you can contact us
Information We Collect
We, and our third-party service providers acting on our behalf, may collect and process the following types of personal information about you:
- Name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Mailing address (when you request services or correspondence)
- Social network profile information you have made publicly available, if you choose to connect with us through social media
- Information we collect when you use our Site, such as your domain name, Internet protocol (IP) address, device model, Internet service provider, Site access times, the websites that referred you to us, and the web pages within our Site that you visit
- Information you communicate to us through our Site, our forms, our social media pages, or other means (for example, when you book an appointment, sign up for our newsletter, or contact a Township department)
The Township collects only the personal information reasonably necessary to provide its services, respond to residents, and operate its programs.
How We Collect Information
We, and our third-party service providers acting on our behalf, may collect personal information as follows:
- We may collect information you provide when you use our Site, including when you fill in forms, book an appointment, subscribe to our newsletter or service notifications, complete a survey, or download content from our Site.
- We may collect information you provide when you contact us by phone, email, text message, or messaging application on social media.
- We may collect social network profile information that you have made publicly available through your social network account settings if you choose to access our social media pages or link to our Site through your own social media account. We may also collect resident and public feedback posted on social media.
- We may collect your name and phone number when you opt in to our SMS text messaging program (see “SMS Text Messaging” below).
- Our Site may use cookies and similar technologies to collect information about visitors. A cookie is a small amount of data sent to your browser from a web server and stored on your device. We may use these technologies to keep the Site functioning, remember preferences, and understand how the Site is used.
How We Use the Information Collected
We, and our third-party service providers acting on our behalf, may use the information collected to:
- Operate, maintain, and improve our Site and digital services.
- Conduct analytics to better understand how residents use our Site and to improve our programs and services.
- Process and manage requests, appointments, registrations, and payments you submit through the Township.
- Respond to your inquiries, comments, and service requests.
- Communicate with you about Township programs, services, events, alerts, and notifications that may be relevant to you.
- Notify you about changes to our services or this Policy.
- Comply with legal and regulatory obligations applicable to the Township.
The Township does not sell your personal information, and the Township does not use your personal information to deliver targeted commercial advertising.
How We Disclose the Information Collected
We, and our third-party service providers acting on our behalf, may share your personal information under the following limited circumstances:
- Service providers. We may share your personal information with companies that provide services to us, such as website hosts, email vendors, SMS messaging providers, and payment processors, solely so they can provide those services to the Township.
- Legal and safety. We may disclose your personal information in response to legal process, when required to comply with applicable laws, to combat fraudulent or criminal activity, to enforce our agreements and the terms of use of our Site, and to protect the rights, property, and safety of the Township, its employees, agents, residents, or others.
- Public records. As a unit of local government, the Township may be required to disclose certain records in response to a valid request under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or other applicable law. Information you submit to the Township may be subject to disclosure under such laws.
We do not share, sell, rent, or trade your personal information with third parties for their own marketing purposes.
SMS Text Messaging
If you opt in to the Thornton Township SMS text messaging program, we, and our SMS service provider acting on our behalf, may collect your personal information, such as your name and phone number, to send you text messages.
Program description. Thornton Township uses SMS to send notifications, alerts, reminders, and updates related to Township services, programs, and events. Message types may include service notifications, appointment reminders, program updates (such as the Thornton Assistance Program and food assistance services), and emergency or community alerts.
Consent. You will only receive text messages from the Township if you have opted in to receive them (for example, by submitting a form, replying with a keyword, or otherwise providing express consent). Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of receiving any Township service.
Message frequency. Message frequency varies depending on the program and your interactions with the Township.
Costs. Message and data rates may apply. Please contact your wireless provider for details about your plan.
Opt out. You can opt out of the SMS program at any time by replying STOP to any message you receive from us. After you reply STOP, we will send one final message confirming that you have been unsubscribed, and you will no longer receive text messages from that program. To rejoin, you may opt in again as described above.
Help. For help, reply HELP to any message, or contact us using the information in the “How to Contact Us” section below.
Carrier disclaimer. Wireless carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
No sharing of opt-in data. No mobile information (including your phone number and SMS opt-in or consent data) will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Information sharing with subcontractors that provide support services on our behalf, such as our SMS messaging platform or customer support providers, is permitted only so they can deliver the messaging service to the Township. Those providers are restricted from using your information for any purpose other than providing that service and will not sell or share your information for marketing purposes. Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent are excluded from any other category of information sharing described in this Policy and will not be shared with any third parties.
For the full terms and conditions of our SMS program, see our SMS Terms & Conditions at SMS TERMS PAGE.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
Our Site may use cookies and similar technologies to keep the Site functioning properly, remember your preferences, and help us understand how the Site is used so we can improve it. Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. If you disable cookies, some features of the Site may not function as intended.
[Note: If the Township uses Google Analytics or any other third-party analytics or tag, name it here and describe its purpose, along with any available opt-out — for example, Google Analytics’ opt-out browser add-on.]
Children’s Privacy
Our Site is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can take appropriate steps to remove that information.
Data Security
We maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect the personal information we collect. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Your Choices
- Email communications. You may unsubscribe from Township newsletters or non-essential emails by using the unsubscribe link in those messages or by contacting us.
- Text messages. You may opt out of SMS messaging at any time by replying STOP, as described in the “SMS Text Messaging” section above.
- Cookies. You may manage cookies through your browser settings.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last Updated” date below. Your continued use of our Site after any change becomes effective constitutes your acceptance of the updated Policy.
How to Contact Us
If you have any questions, comments, or requests regarding this Policy, please contact us:
Thornton Township 333 E. 162nd Street South Holland, IL 60473 Phone: 708-596-6040 Website: thorntontownship.com
Last Updated: June 2026