Illinois raises the bar for frontier AI governance

On July 6, 2026, Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 315, the Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act, into law. Illinois is now the third U.S. state, after California and New York, to impose comprehensive safety and transparency requirements on developers of the most powerful AI systems.

From: 
The National Law Review

Illinois joins lawsuit challenging federal data-sharing policy for welfare recipients

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general Monday in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration over a policy change that would allow federal officials broader access to personal information belonging to millions of families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, benefits.

From: 
Herald-Whig

Aurora recall petitions could test Illinois law on removing elected officials

A petition drive in Aurora could become the next major legal battle over whether Illinois cities have the authority to let voters recall their own elected leaders.

From: 
Fox 32

Illinois lawmakers decry prison's 'gut-wrenching,' 'heartbreaking' conditions

After The Marshall Project found scores of fires set by men at a Joliet prison, legislators want improved fire safety and mental health treatment.

From: 
Chicago Sun-Times

Administrative Director Declares Illinois Associate Judge Appointed in the First Judicial Circuit

Posted on August 3, 2026 by Marybeth Stanziola

Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that the First Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Joshua A. Stratemeyer as associate judge of the First Judicial Circuit.

Mr. Stratemeyer received his undergraduate degree in 2001 from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky and his Juris Doctor in 2006 from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. Mr. Stratemeyer is currently affiliated with the Massac County State’s Attorney’s Office in Metropolis, Illinois.

Legislative Roundup

Posted on August 3, 2026 by Marybeth Stanziola

Each August, the Illinois Bar Journal summarizes legislation passed by the Illinois General Assembly during the most recent spring session that may be of interest to ISBA members. Read on for summaries organized by administrative, animal law, artificial intelligence and social media, bench and bar, business law, cannabis, civil practice, civil rights, corrections, criminal law, education, elder law, family law, health care, insurance, labor, real estate, taxes, traffic, trusts and estates, and workers’ compensation.