Illinois House Passes AI Audit Bill for Frontier Labs, Sending SB 315 to Governor
Updated
Updated · WIRED · May 28
Illinois House Passes AI Audit Bill for Frontier Labs, Sending SB 315 to Governor
7 articles · Updated · WIRED · May 28
SB 315 cleared the Illinois House on Wednesday, requiring frontier AI labs such as OpenAI, Anthropic and Google DeepMind to undergo independent audits of their safety practices.
JB Pritzker said he plans to sign the bill, which would go beyond current California and New York rules by having third parties verify whether labs actually follow their own safety commitments.
Supporters say the measure answers a federal vacuum and growing voter demand for AI oversight, with Illinois lawmakers casting states as the main testing ground for future national rules.
OpenAI and Anthropic backed SB 315, but Chamber of Progress urged lawmakers to reject it, arguing the bill exposes sensitive systems to untested auditors in a regime with liability but no clear standards.
The vote lands as Trump moves to unwind Biden-era and state AI rules to avoid a regulatory patchwork, sharpening the clash between state-led safeguards and a lighter federal approach.
Amid federal preemption threats, can Illinois's pioneering AI safety law survive to become a national model for regulation?
As AI evolves daily, can third-party audits ensure safety or will they become an expensive compliance checkbox?
Illinois Sets New Standard with SB 315: Landmark AI Safety Law Requires Third-Party Audits and Major Fines
Overview
On May 27, 2026, Illinois took a major step in AI governance when its House unanimously passed Senate Bill 315 after strong Senate approval, with Governor JB Pritzker committed to signing it into law. This landmark bill is set to become the strongest state-level AI safety law in the U.S., establishing new standards for responsible AI development. SB 315 requires major AI companies to create robust risk plans, undergo independent safety audits, and face significant penalties for violations. By enhancing accountability and transparency, Illinois sets a new precedent for AI regulation and positions itself as a leader in shaping future AI policy.