A Nationally Accredited Health Department Since 2017

Privacy Policy

WEBSITE PRIVACY POLICY

Thank you for visiting Winnebago County’s web site and reviewing our Privacy Policy. This policy addresses collection, use, security and access to information that may be obtained through the use of this web site.

BASIC INFORMATION COLLECTED:

When you visit a Winnebago County web site, we automatically collect and store the following information about your visit:

  • The Internet Protocol (IP) Address and the domain name used. The IP Address is a numerical identifier assigned to either your Internet service provider or directly to your computer. When you access our web site, our server will record the IP Address. We use the IP Address for the purposes of system administration, web tracking information and for personalization;
  • The type of browser and operating system you used;
  • The date and time you visited this site; and
  • The web pages or services you accessed at this site.

The information we automatically collect is used to improve the content and delivery of our web services and to help us understand how people are using our services when they access our site. We use our web site logs to improve the information and services available on our site and the ease of accessing them. We have no applications that link you personal information with your IP address and make no attempt to link the web site logs with individuals that browse our site.

OUR USE OF YOUR INFORMATION:

The information collected about you will not be used by any other government agency or company. We will not sell or rent your personal information to anyone. Its sole use is for our customer databases and billing information. The information will only be used in Winnebago County official business.

E-MAILS AND SURVEYS:

If during your visit to a Winnebago County web site you participate in a survey or send an e-mail, the following additional information will be collected:

  • The e-mail address and contents of the e-mail; and,
  • Information volunteered in response to a survey.

We may use your e-mail to respond to you, to address issues you identify, to further improve our web site, or to forward the e-mail to another agency or person for appropriate action. Information collected in a survey is used for the purpose designated. E-mails and survey responses are public records.

PUBLIC RECORDS:

Information collected and received through the WCHD Web site may become public record and therefore subject to disclosure under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. It is, therefore, the policy of WCHD that no personal information provided to the agency, including, but not limited to, name, address, telephone number, drivers license number, Social Security number and E-mail address, will be sold or rented to any entity or individual or disclosed to an unauthorized entity or individual. The release of personal information by the departments under the control of the governor are limited, according to Illinois law, to state government agencies and/or to authorized department contractors or grantees.

All information collected at this site becomes public records that may be subject to inspection and copying, unless an exemption in law exits.

PERSONAL INFORMATION AND CHOICE:

“Personal information” is information that is readily identifiable to a specific individual. Personal information includes such things as a person’s name, address, phone number, social security number, driver’s license number and e-mail address. A domain name or IP address is not considered personal information.

We collect no personal information about you unless you voluntarily participate in an activity that asks for information (i.e. sending an e-mail, participating in a survey or accessing a service). If personal information is requested on the web site or volunteered by the user, this information is a public record once you provide it and may be subject to public inspection and copying unless it is exempt or protected by state or federal law.

ACCESS AND CORRECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION:

You can review any personal information we collect about you through your voluntary participation in e-mails, surveys and online services. You may recommend changes to your personal information that you believe is in error by submitting a written request that credibly shows the error.

If you believe that your personal information is being used for a purpose other than what was intended when submitted, please contact us. We will take reasonable steps to verify your identity before granting access or making corrections. See Contact Information below.

COOKIES:

A cookie is a small amount of data or simple text file stored on your computer by your web browser, which often includes an anonymous unique identifier as a method of distinguishing among visitors to a web site.

Cookies created on your computer by using this web site do not contain personally identifying information and do not compromise your privacy or security. Each web site can send its own cookie if your browser’s preferences allow it. Most browsers permit you to refuse or delete the cookie file from your computer by using your web browser software. Winnebago County currently does not use or create cookies on your computer.

SECURITY:

The security and integrity of the Winnebago County web site are essential for successful information and service delivery and for maintaining the privacy of its visitors. We use a variety of database security measures as part of our continuing commitment to security and protection of privacy.

LINKS TO OTHER SITES:

The Winnebago County web site has links to other web sites. These include links to web sites operated by other government agencies, organizations and businesses. When you link to another site, you are no longer on the Winnebago County web site and this privacy policy does not apply. You are then subject to the privacy policy of the new site.

Please read the Web Site Liability Disclaimer that addresses liability issues associated with the Winnebago County web site and links to other sites.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

If you have questions about the information presented in this privacy policy, have comments on the Winnebago County web site, or wish to request correction of factual errors in your personally identifiable information, please contact the Information Technology Manager at 401 Division St, Rockford, Illinois 61104-2096.