Executive Order 2026-07

WHEREAS, Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) has made profound advances that require oversight and accountability to ensure that continued AI development is done responsibly, safely, and in a manner that remains subject to human control; and,

WHEREAS, in recent weeks, the people building AI, the most advanced technology in human history, are warning of potential catastrophic impacts and telling us to slow down; and,

WHEREAS, unchecked AI presents a significant threat – potentially an existential one – to the future of humanity; and,

WHEREAS, AI is unlike other traditional issues – it crosses borders, it moves fast, and it poses dangers that are not limited to one state or country but instead the entire world; and,

WHEREAS, I and others have called on federal elected officials in Washington D.C. to heed the warnings and take immediate and forceful action to address the threat posed by AI; and,

WHEREAS, while I continue to believe that federal action is required, Illinois cannot stand idly by while we await federal action; and,

WHEREAS, Illinois is a leader in AI safety; the Illinois General Assembly passed and I signed into law the AI Safety Measures Act – a nation-leading artificial intelligence safety and accountability law; and,

WHEREAS, among other guardrails, the State’s legislation requires AI companies to develop risk-mitigation frameworks; undergo annual independent third-party audits; report critical safety incidents within 72 hours; and publicly explain the risks their systems pose, as well as the measures they are taking to mitigate them; and,

WHEREAS, there are additional steps that Illinois can take to address the risks that AI poses to the State, to the Nation, and to the world; and,

WHEREAS, it is critical to marshal the knowledge of experts in the AI field and key leaders in State government to identify ways to ensure that the progress of AI is appropriately regulated and monitored; and,

WHEREAS, in addition to the existential threat posed by AI, it poses additional serious tangible threats; and,

WHEREAS, AI presents novel questions about individual privacy (especially the privacy of children) as it collects extensive data without clear limits on how the data can be used; and,

WHEREAS, AI also presents new concerns about algorithmic bias and a loss of human empathy and judgment, including in fields that hugely affect people’s everyday lives, like healthcare; and,

WHEREAS, AI presents serious questions about the impact of its development on the environment and the vast consumption of resources that are required to satisfy its energy needs; and,

WHEREAS, AI money threatens the fairness of our elections, as AI industry lobbyists work to water down meaningful regulation and AI donors seek to elect candidates who will vote in the industry’s - rather than the public’s - interest;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JB Pritzker, Governor of the State of Illinois, pursuant to the executive authority vested in me by Article V, Section 11 of the Illinois Constitution, hereby order the following:

1. The Illinois Artificial Intelligence Cabinet (“AI Cabinet”) is established to provide state government with expert analysis and assess the various risks posed by AI to the safety of Illinois residents and the critical infrastructure residents rely on.
2. Members of the AI Cabinet will:
   1. Provide cross-sector expertise to develop recommendations;
   2. Develop policies and procedures to prepare for and respond to AI incidents focused on preserving the safety, health, and economic security of Illinois residents;
   3. Develop policies and procedures to protect public assets (public buildings, water systems, education systems, information storage, etc.) from AI threats;
   4. Assess the feasibility, timeframe, and potential challenges for each of the policy measures recommended;
   5. Analyze emerging AI incidents and share lessons learned to help prevent and prepare for future threats to Illinois residents, organizations, and infrastructure;
   6. Make policy recommendations to State agencies and the government bodies in Illinois on risk management practices related to AI based on the most recent information available; and
   7. Evaluate the feasibility of specific actions the State may take to effectively regulate AI, including:
      1.     Conditioning data center tax incentives, permits, or operational approvals on companies meeting safety, accountability, and          transparency standards;
      2.     Addressing the energy burden that AI data centers place on Illinois grid and rate payers;
      3.     Evaluating how state procurement and contracting practices could incorporate AI safety and accountability requirements; and
      4.     Assessing whether existing legal remedies are sufficient to hold AI companies accountable for harm caused by AI.
3. The AI Cabinet shall be comprised of academic and expert partners to advise on safety impacts, data privacy, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure, ethical use of AI technology, legal frameworks, and standards for security and governance. The Governor will appoint members within thirty days after the effective date of this Executive Order and after receiving input from State agencies. In addition, the AI Cabinet will include senior leaders from the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), the Illinois Emergency Management Agency – Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS), the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), the Illinois State Police (ISP), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).  The members of the AI cabinet will serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
4. The Cabinet may consult with outside experts and other agency personnel as needed.
5. The Governor shall designate a chair from among the membership of the AI Cabinet. He may also designate a co-chair. 
6. Members of the AI Cabinet will serve as volunteers without compensation.
7. The Illinois Department on Innovation and Technology (DoIT) shall provide administrative support to the AI Cabinet.
8. The AI Cabinet will sunset no later than December 31, 2027.
9. This Executive Order does not contravene, and shall not be construed to contravene any contracts, agreements, or collective bargaining agreements.
10. This Executive Order supersedes any contrary provision of any other prior Executive Order.
11. If any provision of this Executive Order or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, this invalidity does not affect any other provision or application of this Executive Order which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application. To achieve this purpose, the provisions of this Executive Order are declared to be severable.
12. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon its filing with the Secretary of State.

                                                                                                                                                                                                       _____________________

JB Pritzker

Governor

Issued by the Governor: September 22, 2026

Filed with the Secretary of State: September 22, 2026