Illinois governor signs major AI safety law

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a sweeping artificial intelligence law this week that officials said creates the nation’s strongest framework for AI safety, transparency and accountability.

The new law, known as The Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act, requires the largest AI developers to identify, disclose and mitigate risks associated with their systems, while providing for independent oversight and protections for workers who report safety concerns. It takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

“As AI systems become more powerful and the federal government is unwilling to step in, states have a responsibility to protect our people from the dangers of AI while still harnessing the unique potential of the technology,” Pritzker said in a statement. “People want protections from the risks of AI and Illinois is stepping up with a bipartisan, first- and most-protective-in-the-nation law.”

This law marks a major step forward in state AI regulations, which have passed in several states including California and Colorado, with the latter amending its original version to make it narrower. Meanwhile, states and localities remain concerned about the prospect of Congress and the federal government preempting their laws.

This Illinois law, which passed with bipartisan support, establishes a framework requiring developers of the largest advanced AI systems to publicly disclose safety practices, report significant safety incidents within 72 hours and maintain robust compliance processes. The reporting requirement is the same as that in New York, and California set theirs at 15 days. The law also creates confidential reporting channels and whistleblower protections for employees raising AI safety concerns.

Illinois also became the first state to require regular, independent third-party safety audits of covered AI systems, ensuring oversight is conducted by qualified experts without financial conflicts of interest.

In addition to receiving bipartisan support, the legislation also has received the backing of several AI and technology companies. In a statement released by Pritzker’s office, Cesar Fernandez, head of U.S. state and local government relations at Anthropic, called it “an important step toward the accountability this technology demands.” Others shared those sentiments.

“[This law] is the strongest AI safety law in the country,” Sunny Gandhi, co-executive director of advocacy group Encode AI, said in a statement. “It builds on the frameworks California and New York have already passed and goes one step further by requiring independent audits, so the public doesn't have to take AI companies at their word. Illinois has set the new standard.”

This legislation, and any others like it that may follow in other states, comes at a vital time for AI in state and local governments. A survey released last month by enterprise software and AI company Appian found that 37% of public sector workers say their agency’s integration of AI is advanced and across multiple critical processes.

The survey of 2,000 workers in the U.S. found that agencies are deploying AI in workforce management, investigations and case management, procurement, grants management, cybersecurity and citizen services. And it also found that agencies are placing more emphasis on AI governance, oversight, transparency and compliance alongside operational efficiency and mission outcomes.

That shift in strategy, as well as this Illinois law, comes as agencies wrestle with the risk management side of AI, especially the transparency of its models. Jason Adolf, vice president of the global public sector vertical at Appian, said that in sensitive areas like benefit applications and verification, AI models have to be able to show their work, otherwise it leaves governments open to difficult appeals processes and audits.

“If something is appealed, or if you ever have to challenge that decision, you have to know how the decision was made, and the decision needs to be made consistently across populations,” Adolf said. “When I'm looking at things like benefits, it can't just be that one plus one equals two, but I don't know that there was something that happened in the middle. I need to know that every single time it adds one plus one, and we're not yet at the level of where we're starting to dump things into these models that it could actually tell you that it's the same means to an end every single time.”

Illinois officials said their law will help the state manage some of those risks and establish parameters while allowing companies to experiment and innovate, and governments to do the same.

“Artificial intelligence is creating incredible opportunities, but it also brings new risks, especially for young people,” Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said in a statement. “Illinois is showing that innovation and accountability can go hand in hand by setting clear expectations that help protect our communities while supporting the responsible development and use of AI. We can embrace emerging technology while ensuring it reflects our values, safeguards the public, and helps build a stronger future for everyone.”