IL Weekly Ethical Guidelines

IL Weekly holds itself to the highest standards of integrity and journalistic ethics. Ethical reporting is central to our mission, and a cornerstone of the trust we build with our readers across Illinois. Our editorial team, contributors, and partners are all bound by a clear and enforceable framework to prevent ethical violations and ensure responsible journalism.

While our editors and writers retain creative independence in their content decisions, IL Weekly reserves the right to reject or remove any material that fails to meet our ethical standards, whether before publication or after it has gone live.

We recognize that editorial judgment often involves complex real-world decisions. That’s why we’ve developed a transparent and rigorous process to maintain editorial responsibility at every stage. Every publishing partner must contractually agree to follow our ethics policies, and no content is published without first undergoing internal review for compliance and accuracy.

Our Ethical Boundaries

We’re committed to fair, accurate, and responsible journalism. We will not accept or publish any content that:

• Includes hate speech, racial slurs, or any language that incites violence or discrimination
• Contains obscene, sexually explicit, or graphically violent material
• Promotes the use, sale, or glorification of illegal drugs or controlled substances
• Encourages unlawful activity or behavior
• Violates copyright or includes plagiarized content
• Misleads readers through unverified fundraising schemes or deceptive cryptocurrency promotions
• Details methods for hacking, harassment, or coordinated harm
• Exploits minors or features endangerment without proper consent
• Promotes extremist ideologies, radicalization, or terrorism in any form

Note: This list may evolve in line with changes to industry practices, legal guidelines, and community standards.

All content, whether submitted by freelancers, staff, or partners, is reviewed by our internal compliance team, which ensures complete adherence to these standards. IL Weekly is firmly committed to transparency, accountability, and ethical clarity both inside and outside the newsroom.

How to Report a Violation

We encourage readers, contributors, and partners to speak up if they suspect any breach of our ethical policies. To report a violation:

1. Identify the Article

Provide the full title and URL of the article in question, and clearly point out the section or paragraph involved.

2. Describe the Concern

State the specific part of the content you believe violates our standards. If you suspect plagiarism, please include the original source or link for comparison.

3. Include Supporting Evidence

Attach documents, links, or screenshots that support your concern.

4. Submit via Email

Send your full report to: [email here]

Investigation & Response Timeline

Upon receiving your report, our compliance team will begin an internal review. In cases involving potential legal or safety concerns, we may consult legal advisors or authorities. You will receive follow-up communication using the contact information provided in your report.

We are continually improving our editorial processes to keep IL Weekly a trusted, principled, and community-focused news source for Illinois.