Last revised: August 7, 2025

These Terms of Use (these “Terms”) apply to your access to and use of (i) this Debt Help Illinois website (or any successor site) and all associated web pages, websites, and mobile sites (the “Site”) provided by Illinois Legal Aid Online (“Debt Help Illinois”, “we”, “our”, or “us”), and (ii) the features and online services made available through the Site (the “Services” and, together with the Site, the “Platform”). Please read these Terms carefully before using the Platform. The Platform is owned or controlled by Debt Help Illinois. The Platform is intended for and applicable only for residents of the United States, age eighteen (18) or older. If you are from another jurisdiction or under eighteen (18) years of age, you may not use the Platform. By accessing the Platform in any way, including, without limitation, browsing the Platform, using any information made available on the Platform, and/or submitting information through the Platform, you agree to and are bound by these Terms, including, but not limited to, conducting this transaction electronically, disclaimers of warranties, damage and remedy exclusions and limitations, and a choice of Illinois law.

From time to time we may update the Platform and these Terms. The “Last revised” date above indicates when these Terms were last changed. If we make future changes, we may provide you with notice of such changes, such as by sending an email, providing a notice through the Platform, or updating the date at the top of these Terms. Unless we say otherwise in our notice, the amended Terms will be effective immediately. Your use of the Platform after we post any changes to these Terms constitutes your agreement to those changes prospectively from the date of such changes. You agree to review these Terms periodically to ensure that you are familiar with the most recent version. Debt Help Illinois may, in its sole discretion, and at any time, discontinue the Platform or any part thereof, with or without notice, or may prevent your use of the Platform with or without notice to you. You acknowledge that you do not have any rights in the Platform and that Debt Help Illinois will have no liability to you if the Platform is discontinued or your ability to access the Platform or any content, including content you may have submitted through the Platform, is terminated. You further agree that Debt Help Illinois will not be liable for any modification or suspension of the Platform or any services provided through the Platform.

Debt Help Illinois Content

Content on the Platform provided by Debt Help Illinois or its licensors, including certain graphics, photographs, images, screenshots, text, digitally downloadable files, trademarks, logos, product and program names, slogans, and the compilation of the foregoing (“Debt Help Illinois Content”) is the property of Debt Help Illinois and its licensors, and is protected in the U.S. and internationally under trademark, copyright, and other intellectual property laws.

You may not download, display or use any Debt Help Illinois Content located on the Platform for use in any publications, in public performances, on websites other than the Platform, for any other commercial purpose, in connection with products or services that are not those of Debt Help Illinois. You will not otherwise misuse any Debt Help Illinois Content or third party content (collectively, “Content”) that appears on the Platform.

If you are a trademark or copyright owner and you believe that your trademark or copyright rights have been violated, please go to our Proprietary Rights Complaint Process and follow the instructions in that area.

Information Not Legal Advice

Legal information is not the same as legal advice, which is the application of law to an individual's specific circumstances. The information on and provided through the Platform, including, without limitation, information, material, and referrals provided through the Platform, any help desk services, and using automated documents, is not legal advice. The information on the Platform is not a substitute for and does not replace the advice or representation of a licensed attorney. Debt Help Illinois makes no claim as to the accuracy or completeness of this information and is not responsible for any consequences that may result from the use of the Platform. We recommend that you consult with a licensed attorney if you want assurance that the information on the Platform and your interpretation of it are appropriate for your particular situation. You should not and are not authorized to rely on the Platform as a source of legal advice. The use of the Platform does not create an attorney-client relationship between Debt Help Illinois and any user.

Use of the Platform

The following requirements apply to your use of the Platform:

1. You will not use any electronic communication feature of the Platform for any purpose that is unlawful, tortious, abusive, intrusive on another's privacy, harassing, libelous, defamatory, embarrassing, obscene, threatening, or hateful;
2. You will not upload, post, reproduce, or distribute any information, software, or other material protected by copyright or any other intellectual property right (as well as rights of publicity and privacy) without first obtaining the permission of the owner of such rights;
3. You will not collect or store personal data about other users;
4. You will not use the Platform for any commercial purpose not expressly approved by Debt Help Illinois in writing;
5. You will not upload, post, email, or otherwise transmit any advertising or promotional materials or any other form of solicitation or unauthorized communication;
6. You will not submit or otherwise transmit any material or information that contains viruses or any other computer code, files, or programs which might interrupt, limit, or interfere with the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment or network, or that may otherwise adversely affect the operation of the Platform, or any feature of the Platform; and
7. You will not engage in data mining, scraping, crawling, or using any robot or other similar method or tool to harvest, gather, or extract data, Content or other information from the Platform for any purpose, including to train any artificial intelligence models.

You further understand and agree that you have no ownership rights in any account you may have with us or other access to the Platform or features therein.  Debt Help Illinois may cancel your account and delete all content associated with your account at any time, and without notice, if Debt Help Illinois deems that you have violated these Terms, the law, or for any other reason.  Debt Help Illinois assumes no liability for any information removed from the Platform and reserves the right to permanently restrict access to the Platform or a user account.

The use of the Platform on a mobile device requires use of a mobile device and wireless mobile data service, which must be obtained from your wireless carrier, and may require internet access, which must be obtained from your service provider; you are responsible for obtaining and paying for such additional services and obtaining a suitable device, including without limitation all usage charges related thereto. You may be required to send and receive, at your cost, electronic communications related to the Platform, including without limitation administrative message, service announcements, diagnostic data reports, and Platform updates, from Debt Help Illinois, your wireless service provider or third party service providers. If you do not have an unlimited wireless mobile data plan, you may incur additional charges from your wireless service provider in connection with your use of the Platform. You are solely responsible for obtaining any additional subscription or connectivity services or equipment necessary to access the Platform, including but not limited to payment of all third party fees associated therewith, including fees for information sent to or through the Platform.

Accounts, Security, Passwords

Certain areas of the Platform may require registration or may otherwise ask you to provide information to participate in certain features or access certain content. The decision to provide this information is purely optional; however, if you elect not to provide such information, you may not be able to access certain content or participate in certain features of the Platform.

If the Platform requires you to open an account, you must complete the specified registration process by providing us with current, complete, and accurate information as requested by the applicable online registration form. It is your responsibility to maintain the currency, completeness, and accuracy of your registration data and any loss caused by your failure to do so is your responsibility. After you have fully completed the registration form, you may be asked to choose a password and a username. It is entirely your responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of your account information. Additionally, you are entirely responsible for any and all activities that occur under your account. You agree to notify Debt Help Illinois immediately of any unauthorized use of your account. You further agree not to email, post, or otherwise disseminate any user ID, password, or other information which provides you access to the Platform. Debt Help Illinois is not liable for any loss that you may incur as a result of someone else using your password or account, either with or without your knowledge.

Indemnification

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, you will indemnify and hold harmless Debt Help Illinois, its parents, subsidiaries, officers, employees, agents, and contractors, partners and each of their officers, employees, agents and volunteers (collectively, “Debt Help Illinois Parties”) from and against any losses, liabilities, claims, demands, damages, expenses, or costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs (“Claims”), arising out of or related to (a) your access to or use of the Platform, (b) your violation of these Terms including any violations thereof by your dependents, (c) your violation, misappropriation, or infringement of any rights of another (including intellectual property rights or privacy rights); or (d) your conduct in connection with the Platform. You will promptly notify Debt Help Illinois Parties of any third-party Claims and cooperate with Debt Help Illinois Parties in defending such Claims. This indemnity is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other indemnities set forth in a written agreement between you and Debt Help Illinois or the other Debt Help Illinois Parties.

Representations and Limitations of Liability

Debt Help Illinois makes no representations about the accuracy of the information on the Platform or the reliability of the features of the Platform or the Content, and disclaims all liability in the event of any service failure. You acknowledge that any reliance on such material or systems will be at your own risk. Debt Help Illinois makes no representations regarding the amount of time that any Content will be preserved.

Debt Help Illinois does not endorse, verify, evaluate or guarantee any information provided by users and nothing shall be considered as an endorsement, verification or guarantee of any Content. You shall not create or distribute information, including but not limited to advertisements, press releases or other marketing materials, or include links to any sites which contain or suggest an endorsement by Debt Help Illinois without the prior review and written approval of Debt Help Illinois.

THE PLATFORM (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL INFORMATION AND CONTENT CONTAINED HEREON) IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS, AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE PLATFORM OR ANY INFORMATION, SERVICE OR SOFTWARE THEREIN. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, SHALL DEBT HELP ILLINOIS OR ANY DEBT HELP ILLINOIS PARTIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (COLLECTIVELY, “DAMAGES”). UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO A NEGLIGENT ACT, WILL DEBT HELP ILLINOIS OR DEBT HELP ILLINOIS PARTIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OF ANY KIND THAT RESULTS FROM THE USE OF, OR THE INABILITY TO USE, THE PLATFORM, EVEN IF DEBT HELP ILLINOIS OR DEBT HELP ILLINOIS PARTIES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES; AS A RESULT, THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

THE PLATFORM MAY CONTAIN FACTS, OPINIONS, VIEWS, STATEMENTS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THIRD PARTY INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS. DEBT HELP ILLINOIS DOES NOT REPRESENT OR ENDORSE THE ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR RELIABILITY OF ANY FACTS, OPINIONS, VIEWS, STATEMENTS OR RECOMMENDATIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION DISPLAYED, UPLOADED OR DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE PLATFORM. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ANY RELIANCE UPON ANY SUCH FACTS, OPINIONS, VIEWS, STATEMENTS OR RECOMMENDATIONS IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. IN NO EVENT WILL DEBT HELP ILLINOIS OR ANY DEBT HELP ILLINOIS PARTIES BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANYONE ELSE FOR LOSS OR INJURY, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DEATH OR PERSONAL INJURY FOR SUCH RELIANCE.

Text Messaging

If you sign up to receive text messages on or through the Platform (the “Program”), you expressly consent to receive automated text messages from and on behalf of Debt Help Illinois at the telephone number(s) that you provide, including text messages that may be sent using an automatic telephone dialing system.  Consent to receive text messages from or on behalf of Debt Help Illinois is not a requirement or a condition of any purchase. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. By opting in to receive text messages, you represent that you are the account holder for the telephone number(s) that you provide and you agree to ensure that the telephone number(s) you provide remains accurate and up-to-date at all times.

Program Details: The Program may include recurring and nonrecurring text messages from our short-code application, ILAOHelps (or any successor application), including reminders, legal information, and next steps. It may also include recurring and nonrecurring text messages relating to feedback surveys, user testing announcements, and marketing messages sent from 10 digit long code numbers. Debt Help Illinois does not guarantee the availability or performance of the Program and you understand that transmission delays and message failures may occur. Not all carriers are covered and supported carriers may change from time to time. Debt Help Illinois may suspend or terminate your receipt of the Program at any time. Debt Help Illinois reserves the right to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, all or any part of the Program, with or without notice.  

Cancellation: To stop receiving Debt Help Illinois text messages, reply STOP, QUIT, END, REVOKE, OPT OUT, CANCEL, or UNSUBSCRIBE to the phone number from which you received the text message (you may receive one additional message confirming that your request has been processed), or send an email requesting such opt-out to [email protected]. If you unsubscribe from one of our programs, you may continue to receive text messages from us through any other programs you have joined until you separately unsubscribe from those programs.

Help & Support: For help, reply HELP to the phone number from which you received the text message. You may notify us of a number change by emailing us at [email protected] or updating your contact information in your account.

Privacy: For our privacy policy, please visit https://www.debthelpillinois.org/privacy-policy.

Export Control

Software and other materials from the Platform may be subject to United States Export Control. The United States Export Control laws prohibit the export of certain technical data and software to certain territories. No software from the Platform may be downloaded or exported in violation of any such laws. Debt Help Illinois does not authorize the exportation of any software or technical data from the Platform to any jurisdiction prohibited by the United States Export laws. In particular, but without limitation, the Platform may not be exported, re-exported, diverted, transferred, or disclosed (a) into any U.S. embargoed countries or (b) to anyone on the U.S. Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals or the U.S. Department of Commerce Denied Person’s List or Entity List.  You represent and warrant that: (i) you are not located in a country that is subject to a U.S. Government embargo, or that has been designated by the U.S. Government as a "terrorist supporting" country; and (ii) you are not listed on any U.S. Government "watch list" of prohibited or restricted parties, including the Specially Designated Nationals list published by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury or the Denied Persons List published by the U.S. Department of Commerce. You also agree that you will not use the Platform for any purposes prohibited by United States law.

Each of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods and the United Nations Convention on the Limitation Period in the International Sale of Goods is hereby expressly excluded and will not apply to these Terms.

Third Party Websites

The Platform may hyperlink to sites and platforms not maintained by or related to Debt Help Illinois. Hyperlinks are provided as a service to users and are not sponsored by or affiliated with the Platform or Debt Help Illinois, and Debt Help Illinois makes no representations or warranties about the content, completeness, or accuracy of those third party sites. The information you submit at a third party site accessible from the Platform is subject to the terms of that site's privacy policy, and Debt Help Illinois has no control over how your information is collected, used, or otherwise handled.

Location Based Services

The Platform may use location-based services to locate you. If you choose to use the location-based services portion of the Platform, you consent to Debt Help Illinois and/or its third party provider accessing your approximate or exact location. You also grant Debt Help Illinois permission to use this information to improve its products or to provide services or technologies to you, as well as to provide advertising content in which Debt Help Illinois believes you may be interested. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy.

Online Feedback

You may voluntarily post, submit, or otherwise communicate to us any questions, comments, suggestions, ideas, original or creative materials, or other information about Debt Help Illinois or the Platform (collectively, “Feedback”). You understand that we may use such Feedback for any purpose, commercial or otherwise, without acknowledgment or compensation to you, including to improve the Platform, in Debt Help Illinois’s sole discretion. Debt Help Illinois will exclusively own all improvements to, or new, Debt Help Illinois products, services, or the Platform based on any Feedback. You understand that Debt Help Illinois may treat Feedback as nonconfidential.

Miscellaneous

Both you and Debt Help Illinois acknowledge and agree that no partnership is formed and neither of you nor Debt Help Illinois has the power or the authority to obligate or bind the other.

These Terms will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of Illinois without regard to conflicts of laws principles. By using the Platform, you hereby agree that any and all disputes regarding these Terms will be subject to the federal and state courts located in Cook County, Illinois. YOU AGREE THAT, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL DISPUTES, CLAIMS, AND CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED WITH THE PLATFORM AND/OR THESE TERMS, WILL BE RESOLVED INDIVIDUALLY, WITHOUT RESORT TO ANY FORM OF CLASS ACTION. These Terms operate to the fullest extent permissible by law.

On certain areas of the Platform, you may be given the ability to provide us with personally identifiable information. Please read our Privacy Policy for more information about our information collection and use practices, which Policy applies to information you submit on the Platform.

The failure of Debt Help Illinois to comply with these Terms because of an act of God, war, fire, riot, terrorism, earthquake, actions of federal, state or local governmental authorities or for any other reason beyond the reasonable control of Debt Help Illinois, shall not be deemed a breach of these Terms.

If Debt Help Illinois fails to act with respect to your breach or anyone else's breach on any occasion, Debt Help Illinois is not waiving its right to act with respect to future or similar breaches. If any provision of these Terms shall be unlawful, void or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall be deemed severable from these Terms and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.

These Terms constitute a binding agreement between you and Debt Help Illinois and is accepted by you upon your use of the Platform. These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Debt Help Illinois regarding the use of the Platform. By using the Platform, you represent that you are capable of entering into a binding agreement and that you agree to be bound by these Terms.
 
You acknowledge and agree that your acceptance of these Terms and your use of the Platform constitutes your “electronic signature” indicating your desire to use the Platform.  Your “electronic signature” indicates your acceptance of these Terms, and your consent to receive communications about these Terms and this Platform electronically.  If you wish to receive communications in another manner, you may contact us at [email protected] to change your communication preferences.