Trump loses more control over AI regulation as Illinois passes landmark law

Illinois lawmakers passed a bill regulating AI systems that pose catastrophic risks, emphasizing that regulation should be federal but states acted due to delayed federal action. The law requires AI firms to comply with its provisions beginning January 1, 2027. The legislation includes no private right of action, but violations can still lead to civil penalties. The Transparency Coalition helped shape the law’s language and advocates for AI development and use that prioritize safety, transparency, and the public good. Supporters say the law provides minimal guardrails to enable responsible innovation while balancing AI’s benefits against potential harms, and may serve as a governance testing ground.

""The states shouldn't be doing this," Didech said. "The best way to regulate these types of catastrophic risks would be a federal approach." But "the reality is that Congress has not taken up this issue yet, and the technology is developing at such a rapid pace that states have had no choice but to step in.""

"Once Pritzker puts the law on the books, AI firms will be subject to its provisions starting January 1, 2027. While the legislation stipulates that there is no private right of action, any violations could expose firms to civil penalties."

"Steve Wimmer, a senior policy and technical advisor for the Transparency Coalition, worked with Illinois lawmakers on the language of the law. His nonprofit group lobbies to influence generative AI policies and advocates for AI technologies to be "developed and used in ways which prioritize safety, transparency, and the public good," the website says."

""Senate Bill 315 is not about stopping innovation but balancing the great promise of AI with its potential harms," she said. Didech agreed with Edly-Allen, telling Wired that the Illinois law could become a "testing ground" for AI governance that could sh"

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