Governor Pritzker Establishes Illinois Artificial Intelligence Cabinet

Governor J.B. Pritzker signed an executive order on September 22, 2026, establishing the Illinois Artificial Intelligence Cabinet. Based in Springfield, this unpaid advisory panel will consist of experts in law, ethics, governance, and academia, alongside leaders from state agencies such as the Illinois State Police and the Department of Innovation and Technology. The cabinet is tasked with evaluating safety risks, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and regulatory guardrails through 2027.

The panel will advise the state on protecting critical assets, including water, education, and power networks, and will examine whether to link data-center tax incentives to safety regulations. It will also evaluate legal frameworks, such as a strict-liability model, for companies whose AI products cause harm. Pritzker characterized the technology as "dangerous on the level of nuclear weapons" and stated that Illinois is acting independently because the White House and Congress must treat AI risks with more urgency.

This executive action follows the Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act signed in July. That legislation makes Illinois the first state to mandate annual independent safety audits and the publication of safety plans for AI developers generating over $500 million in annual revenue, with requirements taking effect in 2028. Pritzker expects to announce the specific cabinet appointees in the coming weeks.