Illinois Mandates AI Safety Audits for Firms Over $500 Million as Pritzker Backs First-in-U.S. Rule
Updated
Updated · Chicago Tribune · May 28
Illinois Mandates AI Safety Audits for Firms Over $500 Million as Pritzker Backs First-in-U.S. Rule
12 articles · Updated · Chicago Tribune · May 28
Illinois is set to become the first state to require independent annual safety audits of large frontier AI developers after the bill passed the House 110-0 and Senate 52-5.
Developers with more than $500 million in annual revenue would have to disclose catastrophic-risk plans, report critical safety incidents within 72 hours, and comply starting Jan. 1, 2028.
Pritzker said he will sign the measure, which also adds whistleblower protections and anonymous internal reporting for employees who flag public-safety hazards.
Anthropic and OpenAI backed the bill, framing it as a baseline for safety, transparency and accountability rather than a brake on innovation.
The push reflects Illinois lawmakers' effort to fill a federal regulatory gap after the Trump administration rolled back Biden-era AI oversight and signaled lighter regulation.
As states forge their own AI rules, will this patchwork of laws undermine a unified national approach to safety?
Will mandatory safety audits prevent AI catastrophe, or just become a compliance checklist for tech giants?
With no certified auditors or standards yet, can Illinois's 2028 AI safety law actually be implemented?
Illinois Becomes First State to Mandate Independent AI Safety Audits for Large Developers Starting 2027
Overview
Illinois is set to become the first U.S. state to require independent safety audits for large AI developers, following the passage of Senate Bill 315 by both the House and Senate with strong bipartisan support. The Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act, awaiting Governor Pritzker’s signature and effective in 2027, aims to ensure that advanced AI systems are developed responsibly by mandating third-party audits and risk disclosures. This landmark move positions Illinois as a leader in AI regulation, setting a precedent for other states and highlighting the growing importance of public safety and accountability in AI development.