Terms of Use
Last updated: November 8, 2026
About these terms
These Terms of Use govern the use of solomonrokowskychicago.com (the "Site") and are posted here so that visitors can read them. If you do not agree with any part of them, please do not use the Site.
About this Site
The Site is a personal, noncommercial publication, except for the sale of any artwork, where Solomon Rokowsky writes about the history of Chicago buildings, their architecture, and the stories behind them. It is provided free of charge for general information and interest.
Informational purposes only
The articles on the Site are historical and general information. They are not professional advice of any kind, including legal, real estate, investment, or architectural advice, and reading them does not create any professional or client relationship. Do not rely on the Site as a substitute for professional advice about your own situation.
Accuracy of articles
Articles are researched from public sources and aim to list and link the sources used on each article page. Historical sources sometimes conflict, and articles aim to say so when they do. Reasonable care is taken, but the Site may contain errors or omissions, and information can become outdated. All content is provided without any warranty or guarantee of accuracy, completeness, or timeliness.
Visiting information
Where articles include practical details such as addresses, hours, tickets, and access, they aim to reflect the venue's own published information as of the date stated on the page. These details change without notice. Always confirm with the venue before you visit. The Site is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any building, venue, business, or organization mentioned. All names and trademarks belong to their respective owners.
Intellectual property
Unless otherwise credited, the text of the articles and the photographs taken for the Site are the property of Solomon Rokowsky, to the extent rights in them are held. Historical images and other third-party material are included because they are believed to be in the public domain, to be offered under Creative Commons or similar licenses, or to be usable under fair use or similar legal doctrines, and articles aim to credit the sources of that material. All rights in third-party material remain with their respective owners, and your rights to use that material come from its own license or legal status, not from these Terms. Nothing in these Terms limits any rights you have under copyright law, including fair use. You are welcome to read the Site and share links to it. Please do not republish the Site's original articles in full without prior written permission.
Artwork
The Site features original watercolour-style illustrations created for the Site by Solomon Rokowsky. These illustrations are artistic interpretations, not exact depictions, and any scene described on its page is a creative artistic work, not a representation of an actual event. Rights in the illustrations are claimed exclusively by Solomon Rokowsky, and nothing in these Terms limits any rights you have under copyright law, including fair use after purchase. You are welcome to view the illustrations on the Site and share links to the pages where they appear, but you may not copy, reproduce, distribute, sell, or create derivative works from them, in print or digital form, without prior written permission. Some illustrations draw on historical reference material believed to be in the public domain; all rights in third-party material remain with their respective owners. Where a print or other reproduction of an illustration is offered for sale, buying it gives you ownership of that physical item only and does not transfer any copyright or other rights in the artwork.
Copyright and credit concerns
Care is taken to use images and materials lawfully and to credit their sources. If you believe that material on the Site infringes your copyright or is used without proper credit, please email [email protected] with the page address and a description of the material. Concerns will be reviewed and addressed promptly.
The Site links to third-party websites, including source documents, venues, and map data providers. Those websites are not under the Site's control, and the Site is not responsible for their content, accuracy, availability, or practices. Following a link is at your own discretion.
Map
The buildings map is based on open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors and related open map services. Map locations are approximate and provided for general orientation only.
No warranties
The Site is provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Solomon Rokowsky will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of or related to your use of, or inability to use, the Site or your reliance on its content. This limitation does not apply to liability arising from intentional misconduct, recklessness, or gross negligence, and it does not exclude or limit any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law. How these limitations apply can depend on the facts and the law that governs a particular claim, and no wording can guarantee a particular outcome.
Changes to these Terms
These Terms may be updated from time to time. The "Last updated" date on the published page shows the current version. Changes apply only from the date they are posted and do not apply retroactively.
Governing law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules.
Arbitration
IMPORTANT NOTICE: THESE TERMS CONTAIN A MANDATORY BINDING ARBITRATION AGREEMENT AND A CLASS ACTION WAIVER IN THIS SECTION, INCLUDING A WAIVER OF ANY RIGHT TO FILE CLAIMS IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS.
YOU AND SOLOMON ROKOWSKY EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO FILE IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT. ALL CLAIMS, INCLUDING CLAIMS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE QUALIFY FOR SMALL CLAIMS COURT, SHALL BE RESOLVED EXCLUSIVELY BY BINDING ARBITRATION AS DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION.
(a) Applicability: This arbitration agreement applies to any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms, the Site, your use of the Site, any artwork exhibited on the site, purchased from the site, or any content on the Site.
(b) Informal Resolution: Before arbitration, you agree to send written notice of dispute to Solomon Rokowsky by email to [email protected], and attempt to resolve informally for 30 days.
(c) Arbitration Rules: If not resolved, the dispute shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered by JAMS under its Streamlined Arbitration Rules. Venue shall be Ocean County, New Jersey unless you request a remote/telephonic hearing, which we agree to.
(d) Fees: If your claim is under $10,000, we will reimburse JAMS filing fees upon written request, unless the arbitrator finds the claim frivolous. This provision is intended to avoid unconscionability challenge.
(e) Class Action Waiver: YOU AND SOLOMON ROKOWSKY AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS ONLY IN YOUR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.
(f) Jury Waiver: YOU AND SOLOMON ROKOWSKY WAIVE RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL.
(g) Opt-Out: You may opt out of this arbitration agreement within 30 days of first acceptance by sending written opt-out notice to Solomon Rokowsky by email to [email protected], with your name, email, and a statement that you opt out. Opt-out does not affect the other Terms.
(h) Severability: If any part of this section is found unenforceable, the remainder shall remain in effect.
(i) Exception: Either party may seek injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction in Ocean County, New Jersey for intellectual property infringement or misuse. Before bringing an intellectual-property claim, the claiming party must first notify the other of the infringement claimed and request that the infringing use be removed.
Contact
Questions about these Terms or the Site may be sent to [email protected].