Editorial & Sourcing
Policy.

1. What every listing has

Every listing published on Illinois Halal Guide has:

• A street address in Illinois, taken from the business’s own published information (its website or listing) or another source shown on the page.
• A link to that source — usually the business’s own website or social page, or a certifier listing or public record.
• A “last checked” date: the date we last compared the listing with its source. We don’t visit places in person, and details can change after that date.

2. How Halal Claims Are Reported

Halal dining and slaughter practices encompass diverse personal interpretations and standards. We follow three rules:

• Source Attribution: We document the exact claim made by the business or its certifier (e.g., "HMS Certified", "Shariah Board of America", "Hand-Slaughtered Zabiha", or "Halal Options Available").
• No Editorial Determinations: We never issue our own halal seal, certify kitchens, or declare food "halal" or "haram" on our own authority. We present facts and primary links so diners can make informed decisions.
• Alcohol Transparency: We explicitly document whether alcohol is served on premises to support families and diners seeking completely alcohol-free environments.

3. Separation of Advertising and Editorial Content

Advertising is not open yet. If paid placement is offered later:

• Featured listings are always distinctly labeled with a "Featured" badge.
• Payment does not alter factual data, hours, or halal status disclosures.
• Payment never guarantees inclusion in editorial guides or comparative rankings.
• We never accept payment to remove or suppress a competitor's listing.

4. Corrections and Dispute Handling

If a business updates its hours, relocates, alters its meat suppliers, or permanently closes, we encourage owners and community members to submit corrections via our Submit a Place form. We compare each correction with the business’s own published information and update the listing and its “last checked” date as soon as we can.