LIST: These new Illinois laws go into effect on January 1, 2026

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — When the clock strikes midnight on January 1, 2026, Illinois will usher in a slate of new laws, signed by Gov. JB Pritzker, that promise to reshape workplaces, redefine employee rights, and even redraw the boundaries of corporate power.

Regulation of artificial intelligence in employment decisions

Illinois becomes one of the few states to specifically regulate employer use of AI. House Bill 3773 amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to make it a civil rights violation for employers to use AI tools that result in discrimination based on protected characteristics (such as race, gender, age, or disability) in hiring, promotion, discipline, termination, or other employment terms.

Companies are also required to notify workers when AI technology is deployed and explain what it evaluates. The law also prohibits the use of zip codes as a proxy for protected characteristics, such as race or ethnicity. …