New Illinois laws aimed at workers limit the use of AI in hiring processes

A series of new Illinois laws set to take effect in 2026 will impact workers’ rights, including limiting the use of artificial intelligence.

An amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act, which will take effect on January 1, will prohibit employment discrimination that utilizes artificial intelligence to consider factors like race or ZIP codes when making hiring decisions.

The bill also covers other protected classes including gender, religion and sexual orientation, according to the legislation.

According to the text of the legislation, the bill also prohibits AI using race, ZIP codes or other factors when determining acceptance or rejection of credit applications in the state of Illinois.

In addition to those impacts, the bill also requires employers to inform potential employees when artificial intelligence is used in making employment decisions.

Other laws in Illinois will also include HB 1278, which will prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who use company equipment to record crimes against themselves or family members.

HB 3638 also impacts employees, as it offers new protections concerning confidentiality agreements and no re-hire clauses.

All month long, 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 in the app. You can see our report on new laws impacting healthcare here.

The Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act was amended during the summer legislative session, requiring employers to provide 30 minutes of paid break time to nursing mothers to pump breast milk, covering a period up to one year after the child’s birth.  

Another Illinois law will also be amended in 2026, extending paid organ donation leave to part-time employees, rather than only full-time employees. Part-time workers will also be eligible for commuter benefits in Illinois, thanks to HB 3094.

Senate Bill 0220 will allow employees to use up to eight hours of paid leave per month to participate in military funeral honor details, according to the legislation.

Senate Bill 1249 will allow out-of-state firefighters with proper licensing to operate emergency vehicles in Illinois.

For more information on new laws in the state of Illinois, stay tuned to NBC Chicago’s website and mobile app. For more information on 50 new laws that could impact you in 2026, you can visit this link.