What you need to know
- Illinois' new bill focuses on limiting the use of artificial intelligence in the hiring process
- These laws also require greater transparency in the use of AI in employment.
- Other laws impact the rights of breastfeeding mothers in the state and additional benefits for part-time workers
A series of new Illinois laws set to go into effect in 2026 will impact worker rights, including limits on the use of artificial intelligence.
A proposed amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act that goes into effect on January 1 would prohibit employment discrimination that uses artificial intelligence to consider factors such as race and zip code in hiring decisions.
The bill also covers other protected classes such as gender, religion, and sexual orientation, according to the bill.
According to the bill's text, the bill would also prohibit AI from using race, zip code or other factors when deciding whether to accept or deny a credit application in Illinois.
In addition to these impacts, the bill would require employers to notify potential employees when artificial intelligence is used in employment decisions.
Other legislation in Illinois would include HB 1278, which would prohibit employer retaliation against employees who use company equipment to record crimes against themselves or their families.
HB 3638 also impacts employees because it provides new protections regarding non-disclosure agreements and non-rehire clauses.
NBC Chicago political reporter Mary Ann Ahern will be discussing new Illinois laws related to health care, education, public safety and more all month long on NBC Chicago and within the app. A report on new laws impacting healthcare can be found here.
Starting in January, insurers will be required to cover the brand name if a generic version is not available. This is one of many new laws in Illinois that go into effect in January. NBC 5's Mary Ann Ahern reports.
The Breastfeeding Mothers in the Workplace Act was amended during the summer legislative session to require employers to provide breastfeeding mothers with 30 minutes of paid break time to express breast milk. This covers the period up to one year after the child's birth.
Another Illinois law will be amended in 2026 to extend paid organ donation leave to full-time as well as part-time employees. Thanks to HB 3094, part-time workers will also be eligible for commuter benefits in Illinois.
According to the bill, Senate Bill 0220 would allow employees to use up to eight hours of paid leave per month to participate in military funeral rites.
Senate Bill 1249 would allow out-of-state firefighters with proper licenses to operate emergency vehicles in Illinois.
For more information about Illinois' new law, visit NBC Chicago's website and mobile app. To learn more about 50 new laws that could impact you in 2026, visit this link.
