Illinois Spark Terms and Conditions
PLEASE READ THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE ACCESSING OUR WEBSITE OR USING OUR SERVICES
Last Updated: 9/25/2025
These Terms and Conditions require the use of arbitration on an individual basis to resolve disputes, rather than jury trials or class actions, and also limit the remedies available to you in the event of a dispute.
1. You and Us
Welcome to Illinois Spark ("Illinois Spark", "we," "us," and "our"). We provide entrepreneurial consulting, business advisory services, and educational content ("Services") online, including via our website at www.illinoisspark.com and other forms of communications such as email and social media.
We use the term "User" or "you" or "your" or "Visitor" or "Client" to mean any past, current, or prospective client of our Services as well as any visitor to the Website. These Terms apply to each Client.
These Terms govern your access to and use of our Services. By accessing or using the Services (including accessing the Website), you agree to be bound by these Terms. We may ask you to confirm that you agree to these Terms by clicking "I Agree" or similar buttons.
Illinois Spark reserves the right to change or update these Terms at any time. Changes will appear on the Website and are effective immediately. Use of the Website or receipt of Services after any such changes constitutes your consent to such changes.
2. Services and Information Disclaimer
INFORMATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY
The purpose of Illinois Spark is to provide general business information, entrepreneurial guidance, and educational content. We do not provide specific legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. The information presented is provided solely for informational and educational purposes.
Illinois Spark does not wish to represent anyone desiring legal, tax, or accounting representation based upon viewing the Website or information provided via any form of transmission. Visitors should not act upon this information without consulting with appropriate professional counsel.
The transmission and receipt of materials provided by Illinois Spark does not create a formal business advisory relationship, attorney-client relationship, or any other professional relationship unless explicitly agreed upon in a separate written agreement.
INFORMATION PROVIDED AS-IS
Information obtained from Illinois Spark should NOT be used as a substitute for professional advice. It is provided "as is", is not guaranteed to be correct, complete or up-to-date, and Illinois Spark expressly disclaims all warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the content.
3. Content and Intellectual Property
Any information, text, graphics, photos, videos, or other materials appearing in connection with our Services are collectively referred to as "Content."
When you provide content to us ("User Content"), you warrant that you have all rights necessary to provide your Content to us.
We own Illinois Spark Content and the Services, including all intellectual property associated therewith. You may use Illinois Spark Content for your personal use only. You may not reproduce, modify, distribute, or commercially exploit the Services or any Content without our prior written permission.
You grant Illinois Spark a nonexclusive, worldwide, royalty-free right to use, reproduce, modify, and distribute User Content that you submit in connection with our Services, including for marketing and promotional purposes.
4. User Contact Information
By providing any email address, phone number, or other contact information ("Contact Information"), you expressly agree that Illinois Spark may contact you via such Contact Information for any purpose related to our Services, including marketing communications. Your consent to be contacted is not required for purchase of Services, and you can withdraw consent at any time by contacting us.
5. Minimum Age
You must be at least 18 years old to use the Services. You warrant that you have the right, authority and capacity to enter into these Terms as a binding agreement.
6. Privacy
Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy, which governs the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information. By using our Services, you consent to the collection and use of information as outlined in our Privacy Policy.
We reserve the right to access, preserve, and disclose any information as we reasonably believe is necessary to comply with applicable law, enforce these Terms, detect fraud or security issues, respond to support requests, or protect our rights and safety.
7. Third-Party Sites
The Website may contain links to third-party websites. Illinois Spark cannot provide any warranty about the accuracy of information contained on these sites. We do not endorse third-party sites by virtue of linking to them. All access to third-party sites is at your own risk.
8. Disclaimer of Warranties
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE SERVICES WILL RESULT IN ANY PARTICULAR BUSINESS SUCCESS, FINANCIAL BENEFIT, OR OTHER OUTCOME. THE SERVICES MAY BE INTERRUPTED DUE TO MAINTENANCE, UPDATES, OR SYSTEM FAILURES.
9. Service Terms and Cancellation
Illinois Spark may refuse or cancel Services to any person for any reason, including misuse of promotions or violation of these Terms.
Services are generally refundable until work has commenced or within 48 hours of purchase, whichever comes first. Once consulting work has begun or materials have been delivered, no refunds will be provided.
Subscription services may automatically renew unless cancelled prior to the renewal date. You may cancel subscriptions at any time through your account or by contacting us directly.
We may terminate these Terms at any time with or without notice. Upon termination, you may lose access to some or all Services, and no refunds will be provided for payments previously made.
10. Lawful Use
You agree not to use our Services to commit fraud or any illegal act, misrepresent identity or facts, or in any other unlawful manner. You agree to be responsible for any costs incurred by Illinois Spark if you fail to conform to this requirement.
You agree to comply with all applicable laws and provide accurate information to us. You also agree not to act inappropriately by posting objectionable Content or attempting to access our systems through unauthorized means.
11. Limitation of Liability
ILLINOIS SPARK SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOST PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, OR LOSS OF DATA.
TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, OUR LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE FEES YOU PAID TO ILLINOIS SPARK DURING THE 12 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO LIABILITY, OR $100, WHICHEVER IS LOWER.
12. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Illinois Spark from any claims, losses, expenses, damages and costs arising out of your use of the Services, breach of these Terms, violation of any third-party rights, or violation of applicable laws.
13. Dispute Resolution by Binding Arbitration
Summary: Most concerns can be resolved by contacting our support team. In the unlikely event that we cannot resolve a dispute informally, we agree to resolve disputes through binding arbitration rather than in court.
Arbitration Agreement: Illinois Spark and you agree to arbitrate all disputes between us. This applies to claims arising out of our relationship, whether based in contract, tort, statute, or any other legal theory.
Either party may bring an individual action in small claims court. This arbitration agreement does not preclude bringing issues to government agencies.
Notice: A party seeking arbitration must first send written Notice of Dispute by certified mail to: Illinois Spark, [TBD]. The Notice must describe the claim and relief sought. If we don't resolve the claim within 30 days, either party may commence arbitration.
Process: The arbitration will be governed by the Consumer Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. For claims under $75,000, Illinois Spark will pay all AAA filing and arbitrator fees.
Individual Basis: YOU AND ILLINOIS SPARK AGREE THAT DISPUTES WILL BE RESOLVED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS. YOU MAY NOT PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION OR CLASS-WIDE ARBITRATION.
14. General Provisions
Severability: If any provision is found unenforceable, it will be modified to be enforceable while preserving the intent of the parties.
Entire Agreement: These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Illinois Spark regarding the Services.
Assignment: You may not assign your rights under these Terms without our written permission. We may assign our rights with notice to you.
Governing Law: These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to conflict of law principles.
Contact Information: Illinois Spark
contact@illinoisspark.com
BY USING OUR SERVICES, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.