Technology

Creates the Artificial Intelligence Public Safety and Child Protection Transparency Act. Provides that a frontier artificial intelligence model developer or large chatbot provider shall write, implement, comply with, and clearly and conspicuously publish on its website a public safety and child protection plan. Provides that the Attorney General shall establish a mechanism to be used by a large frontier developer, a large chatbot provider, or a member of the public to report a safety incident related to specified artificial intelligence models or chatbots. Sets forth provisions concerning the protection of whistleblowers; third party audits of large frontier developers; and civil penalties. Provides for rulemaking by the Attorney General. Effective January 1, 2027.

Creates the Better Social Media Feeds Act. Provides that a covered online platform that deploys an algorithmic recommender system shall prominently and conspicuously provide on its website, service, or application: (1) a list of each algorithmic recommender system in use by the covered online platform; (2) a description of each input to each algorithmic recommender system; and (3) the weights used in each algorithmic recommender system. Provides that, for all services, products, and features where a covered online platform makes use of an algorithmic recommender system that uses personal data, the algorithmic recommender system shall be configured, by default, to maximize one or more long-term user value metrics. Sets forth provisions concerning covered minors and long-term assessments. Provides that a violation of the Act constitutes an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make a conforming change. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the Business Assistance and Regulatory Reform Act. Provides that the Office of Business Permits and Regulatory Assistance may establish a matching grant program to incentivize and assist units of local government in improving the use of technology tools for permitting and licensing processes. Sets forth reporting requirements for State agencies with jurisdiction over business permitting or licensing. Creates an Interagency Business Permitting and Licensing Reform Advisory Committee to coordinate business permitting and licensing processes. Sets forth provisions concerning membership of the advisory committee.

SB 3873 permanently extends Illinois' research and development (R&D) tax credit for businesses. It amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make the R&D credit permanent, removing any expiration date. This change directly affects businesses that claim R&D credits on their state tax returns, providing ongoing eligibility without needing annual legislative renewal. The credit applies immediately upon the bill's effective date, offering predictable tax relief for qualifying companies investing in innovation.

Amends the Broadband Advisory Council Act. Requires the Broadband Advisory Council to identify and evaluate the costs and benefits that may materialize pursuant to the installation and deployment of rural broadband in all areas served by broadband cooperatives in Illinois. Provides that the study shall consider all material social and economic costs and benefits of the installation and deployment, including, but not limited to, the effects of expanded access to telehealth, remote job opportunities, and educational materials.

Creates the Automated License Plate Recognition System Act. Sets forth provisions regarding authorized uses of an automated license plate recognition system, data retention, prohibited uses of an automated license plate recognition system, restrictions, requirements for use, preservation and disclosure, required data collection, reporting requirements, admissibility, privacy, penalties, and a private right of action. Makes a conforming change in the Freedom of Information Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Automated Driving Systems Development Act. Provides that the operation of highly automated vehicles participating in an automated vehicle pilot project is subject to all applicable federal and State laws. Sets forth eligibility requirements for participation in an automated vehicle pilot project. Establishes the application process for participation in an automated vehicle pilot project. Creates a review committee within the Department of Transportation. Requires the Secretary of State to develop a driving test to evaluate the capability of highly automated vehicles to safely operate on State roads. Sets forth permit requirements and requirements concerning the suspension, revocation, and reinstatement of a permit. Creates reporting and data sharing requirements. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall create an introductory content area endorsement for computer science that allows individuals with a Professional Educator License to teach introductory computer science courses in grades 5 through 12. Provides that the endorsement shall require no more than 8 credit hours of graduate-level preparation that includes instruction in introductory computer science concepts and computer science pedagogy. Allows an individual with a Professional Educator License seeking the endorsement to substitute a State Board-approved, one-week, professional development program in introductory high school computer science education for 4 credit hours of the graduate-level preparation in introductory computer science concepts. Provides that the one-week, professional development program may count as 4 credit hours of the graduate-level preparation. Allows an individual with an Educator License with Stipulations with a paraprofessional educator endorsement who completes the 8 credit hours of graduate-level preparation to count those credit hours toward completion of the requirements for a Professional Educator License with a computer science endorsement.

Creates the Surveillance-Based Wage Discrimination Act. Provides that a person shall not use surveillance data as part of an automated decision system to inform the individualized wage paid to an employee. Sets forth exemptions to the provisions. Provides that the Attorney General shall enforce the Act. Sets forth provisions concerning private rights of action and penalties for violations.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Requires the Department on Aging, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, to provide updated resources related to scam calls and robocalls on the Department's public website. Provides that the resources shall include, but not be limited to, (1) information on predatory scam calls that utilize AI to mislead the call recipient and (2) access to a scam call hotline number where call recipients may report predatory calls.