Technology

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board shall establish appropriate rules and disciplinary procedures governing the use or possession of cellular radio telecommunication devices by a student, including rules that restrict the use of cellular radio telecommunication devices during instructional time (instead of providing that the school board may establish appropriate rules and disciplinary procedures governing the use or possession of cellular radio telecommunication devices by a student). Provides that a school board may create exceptions to these rules, including exceptions for school-based emergencies, individual student and family emergencies, and individualized education program and federal Section 504 plan accommodations and to allow for teacher discretion.

Amends the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act. Provides that a public entity or a public employee is not liable for injury caused by any unauthorized access to government records, data, or electronic information systems by any person or entity.

Creates the Light Detection and Ranging Technology Security Act. Provides that all State infrastructure located within or serving Illinois shall be constructed so as not to include any light detection and ranging (LIDAR) equipment manufactured in or by, including any equipment whose critical or necessary components are manufactured in or by, a company domiciled within a country of concern, or a company owned by a company domiciled in a country of concern. Provides that all State infrastructure in operation within or serving Illinois, including any covered infrastructure that is not permanently disabled, that contains LIDAR equipment prohibited by the Act shall be removed and replaced with LIDAR equipment that is not prohibited by the Act within 90 days after the effective date of the Act. Provides that an agency, private entity, or political subdivision primarily responsible for any covered infrastructure that includes prohibited LIDAR equipment may request a reimbursement up to the cost of the original purchase price of such prohibited LIDAR equipment from the State Comptroller, provided the request includes purchase orders and is submitted within 90 days after the effective date of the Act. Provides that no procurement made by the State government or a political subdivision of the State government can include LIDAR equipment manufactured in or by, including any equipment whose critical or necessary components are manufactured in or by, a company domiciled within a country of concern, or a company owned by a company domiciled in a country of concern. Defines "country of concern" as the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, the Venezuelan regime of Nicolas Maduro, or the Syrian Arab Republic, or any other entity deemed by the Governor in consultation with the Director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS). Defines other terms. Provides that the Act is fully enforceable as of 90 days after the effective date of the Act. Contains a severability provision.

Amends the School Code. Provides that, on or before the 2026-2027 school year, each school board shall adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that: (1) prohibits a student from using a wireless communication device during instructional time, except as otherwise provided; and (2) includes guidance for secure and accessible storage of wireless devices during instructional time. Provides that the policy may not prohibit a student from using a wireless communication device during instructional time: (1) when a teacher or instructor has authorized the student to use a wireless communication device for educational purposes; (2) in an emergency or in response to an imminent threat to the health or safety of an individual; (3) when a licensed physician determines that the possession or use of a wireless communication device is necessary for the health or well-being of the student; or (4) to fulfill an Individualized Education Plan or a Section 504 plan developed under Section 504; or (5) when the wireless communication device is necessary for students who are English learners to access learning materials. Prohibits a district from enforcing the policy through fees, fines, the deployment of a School Resource Officer, or local law enforcement officer. Requires each school board to review the effectiveness of its wireless communication device policy at least every 3 years.

Creates the Data Center Construction by Foreign Adversaries Act. Provides that no foreign company may construct or cause to be constructed a data center in the State unless the Illinois Commerce Commission, the Illinois Power Agency, and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity conduct a joint study of the energy consumption of the prospective data center and certify to the Governor and the General Assembly that the energy used by the new data center is a new self-generated load and does not affect the load supply of PJM or MISO. Provides that the term "foreign company" means an entity that (i) is at least 51% owned by a foreign adversary or (ii) is headquartered in a country with a government that is a foreign adversary.

Amends the School Code. Provides that, no later than August 1, 2025, all school boards shall adopt a policy that: (1) prohibits a student from using personal wireless communication devices during instructional time; and (2) prevents student access to social media platforms through the use of Internet access provided by a school district. Allows a school board to prohibit student use of personal wireless communication devices during instructional time through any method it deems appropriate. Requires a school board to create exceptions to the policy for students to use wireless communication devices for certain reasons, and allows a school board to create other exceptions. Requires a school board to impose appropriate discipline or other sanctions against any student who violates these provisions. Requires a school district to post the policy publicly on its website. Allows the State Board of Education to adopt any rules that are necessary for the administration of the provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Evaluation of Certified Employees Article of the School Code. Provides that a teacher evaluation plan shall prohibit an evaluator from using artificial intelligence tools to perform teacher evaluation tasks.

Amends the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Provides that nothing in the Act may be construed to apply to companies registered with the Department of Transportation to conduct testing of autonomous vehicles.

Amends the Sports Wagering Act. Prohibits a sports wagering licensee from using artificial intelligence to: (1) track the sports wagers of an individual; (2) create an offer or promotion targeting a specific individual; or (3) create a gambling product.

Creates the Meaningful Human Review of Artificial Intelligence Act. Sets forth provisions prohibiting a State agency, or any entity acting on behalf of an agency, from utilizing or applying any automated decision-making system, directly or indirectly, without continuous meaningful human review when performing any of the agency's specified functions. Requires impact assessments to be performed by State agencies seeking to utilize or apply an automated decision-making system with continuous meaningful human review. Provides that the impact assessment shall include a description of the objectives of the automated decision-making system; an evaluation of the ability of the automated decision-making system to achieve its stated objectives; a specified description and evaluation of the objectives and development of the automated decision-making; testing of the automated decision-making system; and the notification mechanism or procedure, if any, by which individuals impacted by the utilization of the automated decision-making system may be notified of the use of such automated decision-making system and of the individual's personal data, and informed of their rights and options relating to such use. Requires submission of impact assessments to the Governor and General Assembly.