Illinois has just given a bipartisan approval of Senate Bill 315 (SB 315), which mandates that an independent audit on frontier AI models of some of the biggest AI companies in the world.
On Saturday, the bill SB-315, also known as Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act, was unanimously and overwhelmingly passed by a vote of 110-0, making Illinois the third state to implement comprehensive AI governance legislation following New York and California.
Under SB 315, the frontier AI companies, at the top tier of the industry(revenue above $500 million and models meeting high compute threshold), must undergo third-party assessments of all their safety and security practices to ensure greater transparency and accountability as the capabilities and influence of AI systems grow.
There’s no federal law on the books governing how the most powerful AI systems in the world are built, tested or deployed. No independent auditors verify their safety claims. No federal agency has clear authority to step in when something goes wrong.
Congress must act now on AI. https://t.co/cvuJ5JZjyF
— Lori Trahan (@RepLoriTrahan) May 31, 2026
U.S. Representative Lori Trahan from Massachusetts called it one of the strongest legislative actions addressing AI safety in the nation. Trahan stated on social media, “This law puts an end to companies grading their own homework,” by requiring independent audits. She said while federal legislators continue to debate a national AI regulatory framework, states are stepping in to fill an important gap in governance.
Trahan has been highly vocal in advocating for a federal AI law, warning the U.S. does not currently have a comprehensive approach to regulating how advanced AI technologies are created, evaluated, or used. She has urged Congress to create standards that outline what constitutes safety, transparency, and accountability in the areas of advanced AI systems.
Taiwanese legislator Ko Ju-Chun welcomed the Illinois provision as well, and remarked that the Illinois SB 315 has much in common with Taiwan’s AI Basic Act – which will help foster technological advancements, while providing sufficient safeguards for new technologies. He also went on to say that independent verification of AI systems as being safe is becoming increasingly necessary as the role of AI in cyber security, economic growth, and services for the public has grown significantly.
The supporters of the Illinois legislation believe that what Illinois has done can be used in creating a federal, if not international, governance system for advancing AI and balancing innovation with societal trust and social responsibility.
Also Read: Oregon Passes New AI Chatbot Safety Bill to Protect Children and Users
