Category: Springfield

Category Added in a WPeMatico Campaign

Hirschauer-Backed Artificial Intelligence Safety Standards Legislation Now Law

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer-Backed Artificial Intelligence Safety Standards Legislation Now Law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A measure creating new guardrails intended to prevent Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted catastrophic harm is now law due to the help of state Rep. Maura Hischauer, D-West Chicago. 

“As AI continues to evolve, it’s important to implement safety measures to protect our residents from being harmed,” said Hirschauer. “We have seen documented cases where AI chatbots have encouraged people to harm themselves or others. This is unacceptable. It’s our responsibility as legislators to create laws that protect our communities, and through this legislation, we are doing exactly that.”

As part of her continued effort to secure comprehensive public safety, Hirschauer backed Senate Bill 315, the Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act. Under this legislation, large AI companies would be required to implement comprehensive frameworks for transparency and harm reduction based on independent third-party reports, including:

  • Safety incident reporting requirements, 
  • Disclosure guidelines, 
  • Whistleblower protections, and
  • Civil penalties for act violations. 

The legislation is meant to address AI-assisted violent crimes, weapons development, evasions of human control, or cyberattacks that could lead to the death or serious injury of more than 50 people or greater than $1 billion in property damage. 

Senate Bill 315 passed the General Assembly with bipartisan support, and was signed into law on July 6. 

“SB 315 ensures that as artificial intelligence continues to evolve, Illinois is leading with commonsense safeguards that promote innovation while protecting the public through greater transparency, accountability, and responsible AI development.”

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

Springfield Office:
270-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1653

District Office:
946 Neltnor Blvd #104
West Chicago IL 60185

La legislación sobre normas de seguridad de la inteligencia artificial respaldada por Hirschauer ya es ley

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Una medida que establece nuevas salvaguardas para prevenir daños catastróficos asistidos por inteligencia artificial (IA) ya es ley, gracias a la labor de la representante estatal Maura Hirschauer (demócrata de West Chicago).

“A medida que la IA sigue evolucionando, es importante implementar medidas de seguridad para proteger a nuestros residentes de posibles daños”, afirmó Hirschauer. “Hemos visto casos documentados en los que los chatbots de IA han incitado a las personas a hacerse daño a sí mismas o a otros. Esto es inaceptable. Como legisladores, tenemos la responsabilidad de crear leyes que protejan a nuestras comunidades, y mediante esta legislación estamos haciendo precisamente eso”.

Como parte de sus esfuerzos continuos por garantizar una seguridad pública integral, Hirschauer respaldó el Proyecto de Ley del Senado 315 (SB 315), conocido como la Ley de Medidas de Seguridad de Inteligencia Artificial. Esta legislación exige que las grandes empresas de IA implementen marcos integrales de transparencia y reducción de riesgos basados ​​en informes de terceros independientes, incluyendo:

  • Requisitos para reportar incidentes de seguridad
  • Directrices de divulgación de información
  • Protección para denunciantes
  • Sanciones civiles por incumplimiento de la normativa

La legislación tiene como objetivo abordar delitos violentos asistidos por IA, el desarrollo de armas, la elusión del control humano o ciberataques que podrían provocar la muerte o lesiones graves a más de 50 personas, o causar daños materiales superiores a los mil millones de dólares.

El proyecto SB 315 fue aprobado por la Asamblea General con apoyo bipartidista y promulgado como ley el 6 de julio.

“El SB 315 garantiza que, a medida que evoluciona la inteligencia artificial, Illinois lidere el camino con salvaguardas basadas en el sentido común; medidas que fomentan la innovación al tiempo que protegen al público mediante una mayor transparencia, rendición de cuentas y un desarrollo responsable de la IA”.

Hirschauer-Led Legislation Establishing Early Childhood Oversight Now Law

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer-Led Legislation Establishing Early Childhood Oversight Now Law

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – A measure extending the powers of the state Inspector General to cover the newly created Illinois Department of Early Childhood is now law due to the work of state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-West Chicago.

“Working with children and families can be sensitive and complex, so it’s important to have the proper authorities be responsible for making sure the department runs smoothly and safely,” said Hirschauer. “Government resources that help children and families across Illinois need to be handled with care and at the same standards as other departments. Illinois families, and more importantly, their children, are our number one priority, so we need to work towards protecting their resources and making sure they receive the help they need.”

House Bill 5364 would expand the authority of the Inspector General by allowing them to investigate and oversee the Department of Early Childhood. The Inspector General is responsible for investigating fraud, waste and misuse of government property or funds within the department and reports to the Secretary of Early Childhood.

Key provisions of the bill include removing outdated terminology, clearly defining classifications for licensed-exempt childcare providers, reducing delays and redundancies across the licensing process, updating licensing requirements to better reflect modern practices, increasing transparency for families and simplifying processes for providers and stakeholders, addressing challenges around background check requirements, and streamlining the background check process.

After the bill takes effect, IDEC will prepare to administer background checks following new guidelines and will implement the new exemption framework by July 1, 2027. This legislation reflects extensive deliberation and efforts among providers, advocates, and state leaders to further protect early childhood resources.

House Bill 5364 was signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker on June 26 and will take effect immediately. You can find more information about the bill here.

Rep. Maura HirschauerRep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

Springfield Office:
270-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1653

District Office:
946 Neltnor Blvd #104
West Chicago IL 60185

Hirschauer Cracks Down on Junk Fees, Price Gouging Schemes with New Affordability Laws

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer Cracks Down on Junk Fees, Price Gouging Schemes with New Affordability Laws

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – Major affordability measures cracking down on hidden junk fees and price gouging schemes are now law due to the work of state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-West Chicago.

“In a time when the affordability crisis is hitting our communities hard, and families are already stretching every dollar, residents shouldn’t be tricked into paying surprise fees,” said Hirschauer. “You deserve to know exactly what you are paying for so you can make informed decisions on purchases. The price you see should be the price you pay.”

Often disguised as “convenience” or “processing” fees, hidden junk fees cost families over $3,000 every year, driving the affordability crisis and making everyday purchases more expensive.

Hirschauer worked to crack down on these hidden fees with House Bill 228, which is now law. The measure requires businesses to display all mandatory fees and charges they are adding on top of a purchase price and gives the attorney general’s office more authority to hold businesses accountable for not disclosing surprise fees.

Hirschauer also worked to expand protections for people buying tickets to concerts and sporting events. In response to high-profile reports of abusive practices perpetrated by ticket resellers and AI-powered ‘bot farms’ purchasing mass amounts of event tickets to be resold at two or three times the face value, she passed House Bill 4984, which bans resellers from offering the sale of tickets they do not actually possess. Additionally, Senate Bill 318 bans the use of bots to buy tickets in excess of posted limits of online ticket sales or to circumvent electronic queues and other waiting periods. These measures are now law.

Maura Hirschauer headshot 2022

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

Springfield Office:
270-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1653

District Office:
946 Neltnor Blvd #104
West Chicago IL 60185

Hirschauer Reflects on the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Overturn

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer Reflects on the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Overturn

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — On the four-year anniversary of Roe v. Wade being overturned, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-West Chicago, issued the following statement on the work she has done in Springfield to protect abortion and reproductive rights across the state of Illinois:

“Four years ago, the Dobbs decision marked the culmination of a long-running extremist effort to strip away reproductive freedom. By overturning nearly 50 years of constitutional protections, the Supreme Court opened the door for politicians to interfere in deeply personal medical decisions, criminalize essential healthcare, and put the health and lives of patients at risk.

“In Illinois, we have chosen a different path. We are committed to protecting the right to make personal healthcare decisions free from political interference. That commitment continued on Wednesday as the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act was signed into law—a measure I proudly advocated for and co-sponsored. This law safeguards sensitive reproductive health records, ensuring that out-of-state politicians and prosecutors cannot misuse private medical information to target patients or healthcare providers for care that is legal in Illinois.

“We also passed House Bill 3637, strengthening Illinois’ Shield Law by reinforcing protections for medication abortion and safeguarding healthcare professionals who provide lawful reproductive healthcare in our state. Together, these measures send a clear message: Illinois will not cooperate with attempts to criminalize reproductive healthcare.

“As attacks on reproductive freedom continue across the country, Illinois will remain a place where patients can access care with dignity, privacy, and confidence. I will continue fighting to protect reproductive freedom because every person deserves the right to make their own healthcare decisions—without fear, political interference, or government intrusion.”

Maura Hirschauer headshot 2022

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

Springfield Office:
270-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1653

District Office:
946 Neltnor Blvd #104
West Chicago IL 60185

Hirschauer-Backed State Budget Focuses on Affordability, Accessibility and Compassion for Working Families

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer-Backed State Budget Focuses on Affordability, Accessibility and Compassion for Working Families

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — A state budget focused on affordability is now law thanks to state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-West Chicago, who helped pass a balanced budget prioritizing direct relief for Illinoisans and investing in the resources Washington is trying to slash.

“As a working mom, I know that affordability is top of mind for all Illinoisans because I feel it too,” said Hirschauer. “We cannot balance our budget on the backs of everyday people. That’s why I continue pushing for responsible revenue options that keeps our communities safe, expands access to critical support and invests in our children.”

Hirschauer’s work this legislative session concluded in passing a fiscally and socially responsible budget that relieves the cost-of living crisis while making key investments in food security and other state services at risk of federal funding losses or total elimination. 

The budget takes a number of smart steps to help families make ends meet, including:

  • Nearly $100 million to help families afford groceries and put food on the table. As Washington slashes nutrition assistance for more than 100,000 Illinoisans, Hirschauer’s budget includes a new FRESH Program, which provides a one-time credit of up to $400, giving families a lifeline while they work with providers to reactivate benefits. Additionally, the Hirschauer-backed budget expands free and reduced-cost school lunches ensuring children affected by SNAP cuts have a sustainable meal, and funding for the Illinois Grocery Initiative to expand access to fresh food in food deserts. 
  • Making back-to-school shopping more affordable by cutting the state sales tax on clothes, supplies, and other essentials for students, families, and teachers beginning in August.
  • Freezing the gas tax to give families a break at the pump.
  • Restoring property tax relief grants for schools so communities statewide can get relief. 
  • $500 million focused on affordable homes for working families, including investment in new home construction to meet the needs of working families who do not qualify for traditional assistance, but still face a significant lack of quality homes in their price range—a growing population known as the “missing middle.”  

This budget keeps families safe and strengthens communities. As families face healthcare access threats like Medicaid cuts, the new state budget delivers full funding to maintain and operate critical safety-net hospitals, with an additional $10 million dedicated to support Federally Qualified Health Centers for the most vulnerable families. Public safety initiatives including homelessness prevention and community-based violence prevention will also receive full funding.

Maura Hirschauer headshot 2022

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

Springfield Office:
270-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1653

District Office:
946 Neltnor Blvd #104
West Chicago IL 60185

2026 End of Session Mailer

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
2026 End of Session Mailer

Para leer en español, haga clic aquí.


“As a working mom, I’m at the grocery store every other day. I know that affordability is top of mind for all Illinoisans because I feel it too. Washington is failing to meet this moment. That’s why I’m working diligently in Springfield to pass legislation that creates a better path for Illinois, because we deserve better than what Washington is offering.”

A Better Path for Illinois

This session I made affordability, community safety, and protecting the common good a priority. Everyone in our community—whatever their political opinions—deserves more from Washington than we are getting. Our budgets are getting tighter, our expenses are getting higher, and our rights are getting chipped away.

We don’t have to accept Washington’s fevered vision where everything gets more expensive and every day feels like a struggle. I am fighting for a better path for Illinois, and I am proud to share the legislation that I passed this session bills with you: 

House Bill 4248

  • Stopping AI-powered schemes that raise prices of groceries and everyday purchases. The Algorithmic Price Prohibition Act which will ensure fairness and transparency for Illinois consumers. Your browsing history and digital footprint should not become a tool to charge you more. This nation-leading bill bans the practice of surveillance pricing in Illinois. 

Senate Bill 3926

  • Supporting veterans’ mental health by continuing the Breakthrough Therapies for Veterans Suicide Prevention Program Advisory Council within the Department of Public Health. It is our duty to protect the mental health of those who dedicated their lives to our safety and security. 

House Bill 4791

  • Investing in our critical early childhood workforce by allowing Head Start and Early Head Start programs to participate in the Smart Child Care Workforce Compensation Program. We must support the workforce behind the workforce for our communities to thrive. 

House Bill 5209

  • Addressing the intersection of mental health and gun violence by mandating training on mental health reporting and FOID for mental health practitioners. 

Senate Bill 3329

  • Strengthening orders of protection so abusers can’t access confiscated firearms from third-party services to provoke or harm others. 

Additional Bills:

House Bill 4309 – Establishes an annual proclamation by the Governor for POW/MIA Recognition Day, the 3rd Friday in September each year. Passed the House – Read More Here

House Bill 5313 – Removes several provisions requiring HFS to establish benchmarks to reduce hospital readmissions, inpatient complications, and unnecessary emergency room visits to bring HFS into statutory consistency with the modern Medicaid managed care environment. Passed the House

House Bill 4566 – Establishes the Natural Resource Restoration Trust Grant Program which will provide grants to communities for the purpose of restoring natural resources. Passed the House – Read More Here

Upcoming Events

End Of Session Town Hall

Veterans Roundtable

Free Community Document Shredding

Noticias del fin de la sesión legislativa de 2026

“Como madre trabajadora, voy al supermercado cada, otro día. Sé que la asequibilidad es una de las principales preocupaciones de todos los habitantes de Illinois, porque yo también me siento así. Washington está fallando en afrontar este momento. Por eso, estoy trabajando con diligencia en Springfield para aprobar leyes que abran un camino mejor para Illinois, porque nos merecemos algo mejor de lo que nos ofrece Washington.”

Un Mejor Camino para Illinois

En esta sesión, he priorizado la asequibilidad, la seguridad de la comunidad y la protección del bien común. Todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad – independientemente de sus opiniones políticas – merecen más de Washington de lo que estamos recibiendo. Nuestros presupuestos son cada vez más ajustados, nuestros gastos no dejan de aumentar y nuestros derechos están siendo socavados. 

No tenemos que aceptar la visión fanática de Washington en la que todo se vuelve más caro y cada día se siente más difícil. Estoy luchando por un futuro mejor para Illinois, y me enorgullece compartir con ustedes los proyectos de ley que he aprobado en esta sesión:

House Bill 4248

  • Poniendo fin a las prácticas basadas en la inteligencia artificial que elevan los precios de los alimentos y los productos de uso diario. La Ley de Prohibición de los Precios Algorítmicos garantizará la equidad y la transparencia para los consumidores de Illinois. Tu historial de búsqueda y tu huella digital no deben convertirse en una herramienta para cobrarte más. Este proyecto de ley, líder a nivel nacional, prohíbe la práctica de los precios de vigilancia en Illinois. 

Senate Bill 3926

  • Apoyando la salud mental de los veteranos mediante la continuación del Consejo Asesor del Programa de Terapias Innovadoras para la Prevención del Suicidio entre los Veteranos, dentro del Departamento de Salud Pública. Es nuestro deber proteger la salud mental de quienes dedicaron sus vidas por nuestra seguridad y protección. 

House Bill 4791

  • Invirtiendo en nuestro personal de primera línea dedicado a la primera infancia al permitir que los programas Head Start y Early Head Start participen en el Programa de Compensación para el Personal de Cuidado Infantil – Smart Child Care. Debemos apoyar al personal que está detrás de todo el personal para que nuestras comunidades puedan prosperar. 

House Bill 5209

  • Atendiendo la intersección entre la salud mental y la violencia armada mediante el entrenamiento sobre la salud mental y la licencia FOID para los profesionales de la salud mental. 

Senate Bill 3329

  • Reforzando las órdenes de protección para que los abusadores no puedan acceder a las armas confiscadas a través de servicios terceros con el fin de intimidar o dañar a otros. 

Más sobre los proyectos de ley en que estoy trabajando:

House Bill 4309 – Establece una proclamación anual por parte del Gobernador para el Día de Reconocimiento de los Prisioneros de Guerra y Desaparecidos en Acción (POW/MIA), que se celebrará el tercer viernes de septiembre de cada año. Aprobado en la Cámara de Representantes – Lea más aquí

House Bill 5313 – Elimina varias disposiciones que exigen que el Departamento de Servicios de Salud y Familia (HFS) establezca parámetros de referencia para reducir los reingresos hospitalarios, las complicaciones durante la hospitalización y las visitas innecesarias a las salas de emergencia, con el fin de armonizar la ley con el entorno moderno de atención administrada de Medicaid. Aprobado por la Cámara de Representantes.

House Bill 4566 – Establece el Programa de Subvenciones del Fondo Fiduciario para la Restauración de los Recursos Naturales, que otorgará subvenciones a las comunidades con el propósito de restaurar los recursos naturales. Aprobado por la Cámara de Representantes. – Lea más aquí

Próximos Eventos

Asamblea Comunitaria sobre el Fin de la Sesión Legislativa

Mesa Redonda de Veteranos

Evento Gratuito de Trituración de Documentos para la Comunidad

Maura Hirschauer headshot 2022

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

Springfield Office:
270-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1653

District Office:
946 Neltnor Blvd #104
West Chicago IL 60185

Hirschauer To Host End of Session Town Hall June 30

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer To Host End of Session Town Hall June 30

BARTLETT, Ill. – State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is inviting residents to attend an End of Session Town Hall detailing Springfield legislative updates and to discuss community priorities on Tuesday, June 30 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bartlett Public Library, 800 S. Bartlett Rd., in Bartlett.

The End of Session Town Hall will focus on topics such as legislation, the FY27 state budget, community safety, and other pressing topics of the 49th District. To ensure there is ample time to discuss all matters, constituents are asked to submit their questions and RSVP in advance by filling out the form on the website: https://www.maurahirschauer.com/event/townhall26-6/.

“Throughout the spring legislative session, I made sure to prioritize the needs and welfare of my constituents,” said Hirschauer. “The bills I passed will help our community thrive as we are waiting for Gov. Pritzker to sign the legislation into law, I want to make sure that our communities are aware that their voices are heard and that their needs are being met.”

The End of Session Town Hall will be held both online and in-person. Community members interested in attending must RSVP prior to the event. Language interpretation will be available. If interpretations are needed, RSVP is required by June 26. Media seeking to cover the town hall is encouraged to RSVP to ensure space is available.

WHO State Representative Maura Hirschauer
WHAT End of Session Town Hall
WHEN Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 7 p.m. until 8 p.m.

WHERE Bartlett Public Library
800 S. Bartlett Rd.
Bartlett, IL

Attendees must RSVP in advance. RSVP/Submit Questions: https://www.maurahirschauer.com/event/townhall26-6/

Maura Hirschauer headshot 2022

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

Springfield Office:
270-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1653

District Office:
946 Neltnor Blvd #104
West Chicago IL 60185

Hirschauer Reflects on Session Work Addressing Affordability, Advocacy and Consumer Protection

Posted on by Intern Rep Hirschauer
Hirschauer Reflects on Session Work Addressing Affordability, Advocacy and Consumer Protection

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As the spring legislative session concluded Monday, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-West Chicago, highlighted her work to address the affordability crisis, increase consumer protections, and support vulnerable communities with a responsible and compassionate state budget.

“As a working mom, I’m at the grocery store every other day. I know that affordability is top of mind for all Illinoisans because I feel it, too,” said Rep. Hirschauer. “Hard working people should not live paycheck-to-paycheck, and we need to focus on bringing down the cost of everyday necessities.”

Some highlights of Hirschauer’s affordability agenda include:

  • Creating new protections against artificial intelligence (AI) schemes that use personal data to unfairly raise prices (House Bill 4248);
  • Freezing the state gas tax and instituting a sales tax holiday (Senate Bill 3019),
  • Making groceries and everyday purchases more affordable by giving everyone access to deals offered by digital coupons, so that the price people see is the price they pay (House Bill 45);
  • Delivering transparency requirements to crack down on hidden junk fees (House Bill 228);
  • Making everyday purchases more accessible by requiring retail establishments to accept cash payments for purchases under $500 (House Bill 4592); and
  • Protecting property owners from equity theft by ensuring no Illinois resident loses the equity in their home due to old taxes (House Bill 4537).

Hirschauer also backed a human-centered budget plan Monday that increases investment in schools, ensures no new taxes on working people, fully funds afterschool programs and pushes state agencies to realize an additional $65 million in reductions to government operations, reducing administrative costs to fully fund services that communities so desperately need right now.

“We cannot balance our budget on the backs of everyday people,” said Hirschauer. “That’s why I continue pushing for responsible revenue options that ask the wealthiest corporations to finally pay their fair share instead of forcing cuts onto our families. Our communities deserve leaders who are willing to protect critical services, stand up to corporate greed and fight for a government that actually reflects the people it serves.”

This session Hirschauer continued to fight for commonsense gun safety passing a bipartisan measure to expand access for FOID mental health exams in Senate Bill 3229. She also remained dedicated to advocating for our local schools and academic programs by leading House Bill 4791, which invests in critical early childhood workforce by allowing Head Start and Early Head Start programs to participate in the Smart Child Care Workforce Compensation Program. 

“Keeping our communities safe, expanding access to critical supports, and investing in our children will continue to be my focus. Our children are the future, and we must provide them an opportunity to grow in an environment that has all the resources they need,” said Hirschauer. “There’s more work ahead, let’s continue to build a stronger Illinois that offers greater opportunity for every child.”

Maura Hirschauer headshot 2022

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

Springfield Office:
270-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1653

District Office:
946 Neltnor Blvd #104
West Chicago IL 60185

Gong-Gershowitz-Led AI Working Group Discusses Consumer Protection, Responsible Innovation

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Gong-Gershowitz-Led AI Working Group Discusses Consumer Protection, Responsible Innovation

CHICAGO – The House Democratic AI Working Group, chaired by state Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview, held a subject matter hearing on Monday, May 4, to discuss efforts to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) in order to protect consumers and safeguard elections in Illinois.

“These discussions are about protecting consumers and ensuring fairness in our state’s liability statutes,” Gong-Gershowitz said. “AI-powered technologies are no longer simply an emerging technology, they’re impacting almost every aspect of our lives right now.”

Four bills were discussed during the hearing, all pertaining to AI regulation and consumer protection.

Gong-Gershowitz’s House Bill 4557 would create the Digital Forgeries in Politics Act, which places new disclosure requirements on the use of digital manipulation in images, video and audio in political advertising. 

“When voters can no longer trust what they see and hear, democracy itself is at risk,” Gong-Gershowitz said. “AI-generated deepfakes of political candidates and elected officials are not a distant threat — they are already being weaponized to deceive the public, suppress participation and undermine elections. HB4557 draws a clear line: if you use artificial intelligence to fabricate the words or likeness of a political figure to deceive voters, there will be consequences. Illinoisans deserve to make their voices heard based on facts.”

House Bill 5044, also by Gong-Gershowitz, would create the Chatbot Provider Liability Act, defining chatbots as products and establishing that providers have a duty to ensure that the use of a chatbot does not cause injury to a user.

“We have always held manufacturers accountable when their products cause serious harm — and an AI chatbot is a product,” Gong-Gershowitz said. “When companies deploy these systems knowing they have the potential to deceive, manipulate or injure the people who interact with them, they should be held to exactly the same standard we apply to any other dangerous product under Illinois law,” Gong-Gershowitz said. “This legislation closes a loophole that Big Tech has been counting on. If your chatbot causes real harm, you bear real responsibility — full stop.”

State Rep. Daniel Didech’s House Bill 4705 would create the Artificial Intelligence Public Safety and Child Protection Transparency Act, requiring frontier AI developers and large chatbot providers to create a public safety and child protection plan.

“The pace of AI development and the capabilities of frontier models are accelerating, and the General Assembly has an obligation to ensure that Illinois residents are protected from catastrophic outcomes,” Didech said. “This legislation puts enforceable guardrails in place so Big Tech companies must prioritize safety, be transparent about the risks tied to their systems and take responsibility for preventing serious harm, especially when it comes to protecting children.”

State Rep. Maura Hirschauer’s House Bill 5756, would create the Algorithmic Pricing Transparency Act, requiring online retailers to disclose their use of “surveillance pricing”—a growing phenomena that uses artificial intelligence-powered tools to charge higher prices for certain customers based on a user’s personal data.

“House Bill 5756 prioritizes transparency and fairness,” Hirschauer said. “This legislation makes clear that pricing powered by personal data cannot happen in the shadows. By requiring disclosure, banning the use of sensitive information, and guaranteeing an opt-out, we are putting fairness and accountability back into the marketplace.”

The House Democratic AI Working Group was established by Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch earlier this year in order to launch a multifaceted approach to AI policy in Illinois.

Maura Hirschauer headshot 2022

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

Springfield Office:
270-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1653

District Office:
946 Neltnor Blvd #104
West Chicago IL 60185

Hirschauer Bill Targets Tracking Data, Protecting Consumers From Price Increases

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer Bill Targets Tracking Data, Protecting Consumers From Price Increases

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A new bill led by state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-West Chicago, would require online retailers to disclose their use of “surveillance pricing”—a growing phenomena that uses artificial intelligence-powered tools to charge higher prices for certain customers based on prior browsing history and demographic information inferred by a consumer’s digital footprint.

“HB 4248 is about drawing a clear line: no more secret pricing games. If companies are using your personal data to charge you more, you have a right to know—and a right to say no. This bill forces transparency, bans the use of deeply personal characteristics, and cracks down on deceptive tactics designed to trick consumers. It protects real choice, real fairness, and real accountability. HB 4248 makes it clear: in Illinois, consumers come first.”

With the growing consumer preference for mobile shopping, retailers are increasingly collecting data from online shoppers. Hirschauer is sponsoring House Bill 4248 which would create standards for businesses utilizing surveillance pricing. The measure would require online businesses to provide a clear disclosure when they are using the consumer’s personal information or search history to dictate the cost of a good or service. The bill would further allow consumers to opt-out and pay a baseline price. Additionally, the bill prohibits the use of sensitive personal information, like race, religion and immigration status, to determine pricing.

House Bill 4248 is now on second reading and awaits a vote on the House floor.

Rep. Maura HirschauerRep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

Springfield Office:
270-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1653

District Office:
946 Neltnor Blvd #104
West Chicago IL 60185