Illinois Governor JB Pritzker plans to sign a significant piece of legislation regulating artificial intelligence (AI) development. The bill, receiving strong bipartisan support, passed 110-0 in the Illinois House and 52-5 in the Senate. It seeks to create a regulatory framework for AI developers, making Illinois the first state to mandate independent audits of AI safety practices.
The legislation follows concerns expressed by Democratic state Sen. Mary Edly-Allen, who emphasized the need for regulatory measures to prevent potential risks. She highlighted the importance of setting responsible innovation guidelines to mitigate catastrophic outcomes.
State Rep. Daniel Didech, the bill’s main sponsor in the House, underscored AI’s transformative potential. He called the legislation crucial to ensuring responsible deployment and development of AI technologies.
Key provisions of the bill require AI developers, with annual revenues exceeding $500 million, to disclose potential catastrophic risks associated with their products. The law demands transparency in addressing these risks and mandates reporting of critical safety incidents to the state within 72 hours. Compliance audits by third-party experts will be required annually, supported by technical expertise in AI safety models.
The legislation also includes whistleblower protections, preventing companies from punishing employees who report safety concerns. An anonymous internal reporting system for such concerns is mandatory for companies.
In his statement, Governor Pritzker emphasized Illinois’ role in holding Big Tech accountable as AI technologies become more integrated into daily life. He highlighted the importance of implementing necessary safeguards.
AI companies, including Anthropic and OpenAI, have expressed support for the bill. These organizations recognize its role in establishing accountability and transparency standards that align with existing safety practices.
Senate Republican leader John Curran described the bill as a progressive step in regulating technology. He emphasized its potential to spur innovative developments within the AI industry.
The bill arrives amid concerns about federal regulatory reluctance under President Donald Trump’s administration. Recent actions reversed previous efforts to govern AI development responsibly. This legislation aligns with an initiative to set standards while stimulating AI advancements.
Other AI-related bills are under consideration, including measures targeting AI-driven rental pricing and preventing bot-driven ticket purchases. Additional initiatives address data privacy, AI’s impact on mental health support, and transparency in customer interactions. These legislative efforts aim to create a comprehensive regulatory framework for the AI industry in Illinois.