Illinois has become the first US state to pass a comprehensive AI safety law, requiring frontier AI companies to submit safety plans, undergo independent testing, and report critical incidents within 72 hours (24 hours for imminent threats).
The landmark bill SB 315 was signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker despite opposition from the Trump administration. Both OpenAI and Anthropic support the law, saying it establishes a needed baseline for AI safety testing.
The law will be enforced starting January 2027, with the Big Four accounting firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC) expected to serve as independent auditors. Civil penalties will apply for violations.
Critics warn the law could create a patchwork of state regulations, while supporters say federal inaction has left states with no choice but to act.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/05/trump-loses-more-control-over-ai-regulation-as-illinois-passes-landmark-law/