Illinois House Passes Legislation to Guide AI Use in Schools
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois House passed legislation on Friday aimed at guiding the use of artificial intelligence in schools across the state. This new plan mandates that the Illinois State Board of Education develop comprehensive statewide guidance for school districts and educators regarding AI implementation in elementary and secondary education.
The guidance will include explanations of fundamental AI concepts and specific ways the technology can be utilized at various educational levels — from district to classroom — for teaching and learning purposes. It will also provide direction on how districts and teachers can assess and address issues related to bias, privacy, transparency, and risk assessment associated with AI use.
“What we’re hearing repeatedly from teachers is that AI is constantly a source of topic and concern among their students and in their classrooms,” said Rep. Laura Faver Dias (D-Grayslake). “So, we need the state to step in.”
The legislation also requires information on the impact of artificial intelligence on student data privacy, including relevant federal and state laws. A separate provision of the bill mandates that the Illinois State Board of Education encourage school districts to compile teaching resources to support American Sign Language (ASL) programs by July 1, 2026. These resources may cover the importance and benefits of early ASL instruction, methods for integrating ASL into K-8 curriculum, and proper administration of ASL instruction for students in grades K-8.
The Senate Bill 1920 passed the House with a 74-34 vote and will now be sent back to the Senate for concurrence due to an amendment added during the House review.
This legislative move aims to provide clarity and guidance on the integration of AI in educational settings while ensuring that student data privacy is protected and that resources for critical programs like ASL are made available.
