Illinois Sets a Nation-Leading AI Safety Standard with Frontier-Model Audits

Illinois passed SB 315, the nation’s strongest AI safety law, requiring frontier-model safety testing, public safety plans, independent audits, annual safety reports, and rapid incident disclosure; if signed by Gov. Pritzker it takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, with potential civil penalties for violations. OpenAI and Anthropic back the measure as a baseline for responsible innovation, while critics warn it could burden smaller firms and accelerate federal action.