Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (D) is making it clear that his state isn't waiting around for Washington to figure out AI regulation. On Wednesday, he took to X to announce that Illinois is pushing forward with Senate Bill 315, a piece of legislation aimed at reining in the biggest names in tech as artificial intelligence becomes more woven into everyday life.
"Illinois is leading the nation in holding Big Tech accountable," Pritzker wrote. He added that as AI systems start making decisions that affect people's lives, "we need safeguards in place." The governor said he looks forward to signing SB 315 once it reaches his desk, and he's working with the legislature to ensure that "AI, when used, is used responsibly."
Illinois isn't alone in this push. Across the country, states are stepping up where federal action has been slow. Earlier this year, OpenAI backed Illinois SB 3444, a separate bill that limits liability for AI-related "critical harms" unless developers acted intentionally or recklessly, while requiring safety and transparency disclosures. That bill targeted powerful AI systems trained on massive computing resources and defined catastrophic risks like mass casualties, major financial losses, or weapons development.
Out west, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed SB 53, a law that requires major AI companies—including OpenAI, Alphabet Inc. (GOOG) and Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) (Google), Meta Platforms, Inc. (META), and Nvidia Corporation (NVDA)—to disclose how they mitigate risks from advanced AI systems. The law is framed as a balance between innovation and public safety, and it could set a template for future federal standards. California has also pushed stricter AI safety testing requirements, though industry players have debated whether the regulatory burden is too heavy.
The message from both states is clear: Big Tech is going to have to answer for how its AI systems work, and the states are ready to lead the charge. Whether this patchwork of state laws will eventually coalesce into a national framework remains to be seen, but for now, Illinois and California are setting the pace.
