Plan creating guidance for AI technology in Illinois schools awaits Pritzker's approval

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill on Gov. JB Pritzker's desk could help guide the use of artificial intelligence in schools.

The plan awaits final action just days after the federal government considered banning states from regulating AI for a decade.

State lawmakers started the spring session knowing there was an urgent need for regulation as schools navigate the growing role of AI in education.

"We found more than 90% of teachers find that AI is something they believe will make a great difference for students in the future," said Teach Plus Illinois Policy Director Bill Curtin. "But, less than half of them were getting training from their districts or schools on how to use it safely or well."

Senate Bill 1920 requires the Illinois State Board of Education to develop statewide guidance for districts and teachers on the use of AI in elementary and secondary education. This would include explanations of basic AI concepts and ways the technology can be used at the district, school and classroom levels.

The measure also calls for guidance on how districts and teachers can evaluate and address bias, privacy, transparency and risk assessment for the use of AI.

"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 plan requires information on the impact of artificial intelligence on student data privacy, including federal and state laws associated with privacy.

A separate provision of the bill requires ISBE to encourage districts to collect teaching resources to support American Sign Language programs by July 2026. The resources may include information on the importance and benefits of ASL instruction for early ages and its prevalence in the United States, ways to implement ASL instruction into the K-8 curriculum, and how to properly administer ASL instruction.

Senate Bill 1920 gained unanimous support in the Senate. The legislation received a 74-34 vote in the House.