Privacy Policy
Welcome to ChicagolandAutos.com ("Chicagoland Autos," "we," "us," or "our"). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting the personal information you share with us when using our website, interactive vehicle finder tools, and custom vehicle search services (collectively, the "Services"). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use and share it, and the choices and rights available to you.
1. Information We Collect
We collect information in the following ways when you visit or interact with ChicagolandAutos.com:
- Information You Voluntarily Provide: When you submit a Custom Vehicle Search request, check availability on a vehicle, or request a test drive, we collect your name, telephone number, email address, vehicle preferences (such as body style, seating, fuel type, color, and target budget), purchase timeline, trade-in status, and any notes you include.
- Saved Preferences & Local Storage: When you tap to filter vehicles or save favorite cars to your shortlist, your browser stores those selections locally on your device (e.g., via HTML5
localStorage) so your saved vehicles remain available during future visits. - Automatically Collected Technical Data: Like most websites, our servers and analytics providers may automatically record standard device and usage information, including your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages viewed, and approximate geographic region (e.g., Chicagoland metro area).
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Match your vehicle criteria (body style, 3rd-row seating, hybrid/EV/gas powertrain, AWD, colors, and budget) with available used vehicles in the Chicagoland area;
- Connect you with participating Chicagoland dealerships, automotive inventory partners, or vehicle sourcing specialists who can fulfill your inquiry, confirm availability, provide out-the-door pricing, or appraise your trade-in;
- Communicate with you via telephone, text message (SMS/MMS), or email regarding your vehicle inquiry in accordance with your consent;
- Improve, maintain, and secure our website, user interface, and vehicle recommendation engine; and
- Comply with applicable state and federal legal obligations.
3. How We Share Your Information
ChicagolandAutos.com is an automotive matchmaking and referral platform. When you submit an inquiry form and check the consent box, you direct and authorize us to share your contact details and vehicle preferences with:
- Participating Dealerships & Automotive Partners: Licensed motor vehicle dealers and automotive retail partners in the greater Chicagoland region (including Illinois and Northwest Indiana) that have inventory matching your request or can assist in sourcing your requested vehicle.
- Service Providers: Trusted third-party vendors who assist us with website hosting (such as Google Firebase), analytics, communications delivery, and security, bound by confidentiality obligations.
- Legal & Safety Disclosures: When required by law, subpoena, or regulatory authority, or when necessary to protect our legal rights, prevent fraud, or ensure the safety of users.
- Affiliated Platforms: If you choose to visit or inquire through our affiliated platform ChicagoPickups.com, your interaction on that site is governed by its respective privacy disclosures.
4. Telephone, SMS/Text Messaging & TCPA Compliance
By providing your telephone number and checking the agreement box on our inquiry form, you provide your prior express written consent under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) to receive calls and text messages (SMS/MMS), including via automated dialing systems or prerecorded messages, from ChicagolandAutos.com and up to three (3) participating local dealership partners regarding your vehicle search.
- No Purchase Required: Your consent to receive calls or text messages is never a condition of purchasing any vehicle, goods, or services.
- Opt-Out (STOP): You may opt out of SMS text messages at any time by replying STOP, END, or UNSUBSCRIBE to any text message you receive, or by contacting us directly.
- Carrier Rates: Standard message and data rates from your wireless carrier may apply. Message frequency varies based on your vehicle search activity.
5. Cookies & Browser Local Storage
We use browser local storage (ca_saved_vehicles) and standard session technologies to remember your saved cars and filter preferences. You can clear your browser cache and local storage at any time through your browser settings.
6. Your Privacy Rights (Illinois & U.S. State Privacy Laws)
Depending on your state of residence, you may have the right to:
- Request access to or a copy of the personal information we have collected about you;
- Request correction or deletion of your personal information;
- Opt out of the sharing of your personal information with third-party dealership partners for cross-context behavioral advertising or lead distribution; and
- Withdraw your consent to marketing communications at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the contact details in Section 9 below. We will verify and respond to your request within the timeframe required by applicable law.
7. Data Security & Retention
We use industry-standard HTTPS encryption and secure cloud infrastructure to protect your information during transmission and storage. We retain inquiry records only as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill your vehicle search request, comply with legal and regulatory record-keeping requirements, and resolve disputes.
8. Children’s Privacy
Our Services are intended for licensed drivers and adults aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18 years of age.
9. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to opt out of communications, or want to request deletion of your data, please contact us at:
ChicagolandAutos.com Privacy Desk
Email: privacy@chicagolandautos.com
Location: Greater Chicago Metropolitan Area, Illinois