* Mashable…

Illinois is officially staking its claim in the wild west of AI regulation. In a landmark move, state lawmakers have passed a bill banning AI from acting as a standalone therapist and placing firm guardrails on how mental health professionals can use AI to support care. Governor JB Pritzker signed the bill into law on Aug. 1.

The legislation, dubbed the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act, was introduced by Rep. Bob Morgan and makes one thing clear: only licensed professionals can deliver therapeutic or psychotherapeutic services to another human being.

“We have already heard the horror stories when artificial intelligence pretends to be a licensed therapist. Individuals in crisis unknowingly turned to AI for help and were pushed toward dangerous, even lethal, behaviors,” said Rep. Morgan in a statement to Mashable. “Every day, AI develops further in our country without the guardrails necessary to protect people. By passing HB 1806, we are taking action to pause the unchecked expansion of AI in mental healthcare and putting necessary regulation in place before more harm is done.”

Under the new state law, mental health providers are barred from using AI to independently make therapeutic decisions, interact directly with clients, or create treatment plans — unless a licensed professional has reviewed and approved it. The law also closes a loophole that allows unlicensed persons to advertise themselves as “therapists.”

* The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board…

Today, the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) announced its plan to implement Senate Bill 1195, known as “Anna’s Law,” which was recently signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker. Anna’s Law, effective January 1, 2026, was spearheaded by Sen. Mary Edly-Allen, D- Ill., significantly enhances trauma-informed training requirements for law enforcement officers across the state, particularly concerning interactions with victims of sexual assault and sexual abuse.

Anna’s Law mandates that the curriculum for probationary law enforcement officers will now include a dedicated block of instruction on trauma-informed programs, procedures, and practices designed to minimize victim traumatization. Furthermore, critical trauma-informed principles will be integrated into the minimum in-service training requirements that all law enforcement officers must complete every three years. The law also requires ILETSB to conduct or approve training programs that address trauma-informed responses and investigations, including identifying and addressing conflicts of interest.

“The signing of Anna’s Law marks a pivotal moment for law enforcement in Illinois,” said Sean Smoot, Board Chairman of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. “This legislation underscores our collective commitment to ensuring that every officer is equipped with the knowledge and skills to respond to victims of sexual assault and sexual abuse with the utmost sensitivity, empathy, and professionalism.”

ILETSB has been preparing for the enactment of Anna’s Law and is expanding our training programs and resources to support agencies and officers in meeting these new requirements. The Board will work closely with law enforcement agencies, training academies, and community groups to ensure a seamless transition and consistent application of the new standards statewide.

* Sen. Robert Peters…

To reinforce the supportive role of the Department of Children and Family Services, State Senator Robert Peters led a new law to remove the agency’s authority to operate its own law enforcement agency.

“Families who are in need of DCFS’ services are already experiencing hardship – the last thing they need is to be treated like criminals by an agency meant to be offering support,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “This law ensures these families receive the respect and care they deserve and that DCFS helps the way it was intended.”

Peters’ law removes the department’s statutory authority to appoint personnel to act as peace officers in counties with more than 500,000 people. Instead, it reaffirms that any law enforcement needs involving DCFS will be handled by local or state police.

For families already navigating difficult situations, the law offers peace of mind and clarity, reinforces trust between communities and DCFS, and reduces chances of escalation.

“We must leave law enforcement functions to existing police agencies so DCFS can refocus on supporting those in need,” said Peters. “This law does just that, allowing us to reinforce trust between our communities and DCFS and avoid unnecessary escalation during sensitive family situations.”

House Bill 1715 was signed into law Friday. It goes into effect immediately.

* Sen. Javier Cervantes…

Thanks to a new law led by State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes, applicants for grants through the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICIJA) will soon see faster turnarounds on their approvals.

“The current bureaucratic process around grading ICIJA grant applications puts an unnecessary burden on workers and can delay the grants being awarded,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This measure is a long overdue update that will ensure the grant application process is efficient for all parties.”

ICIJA utilizes volunteer workers to score grant applications — a rule intended to keep the process unbiased. However, this can lead to lengthy delays due to dips in volunteer work, or unreliable expertise levels in the grading process.

Senate Bill 106 gives ICIJA the ability to contract outside organizations to help review and score grant applications, which would expedite the process and ensure applications are reviewed by accredited, unbiased professionals. This will relieve the burden the volunteer-based system placed on ICIJA employees who were required to finish work not completed by volunteers, and organizations submitting grant applications forced to wait longer than necessary for their results.

Senate Bill 106 was signed into law on Friday. It is effective immediately.

Sen. Andrew Chesney…

Two pieces of wildlife/hunting legislation meant to control the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) among Illinois’ deer population were signed into law on August 1 by the Governor. State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) served as a Chief Co-Sponsor of both measures.

“Chronic wasting disease is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease that affects deer, elk, moose, and other members of the deer family, and confirmed cases have recently been reported in Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Stephenson, Will, and several other counties in Northern Illinois,” said Chesney. “While there is no known transmission of CWD from deer to human, best practice is to eliminate infected animals to prevent the spreading of the disease to healthy deer populations.”

House Bill 2340, requires the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to issue a landowner deer permit to any property owner with at least 20 acres of property in an area with confirmed cases of CWD. […]

House Bill 2339, which also addresses CWD, requires IDNR to end the use of its sharpshooting program three years after the last confirmed case of wildlife CWD within monitored herds. It also allows for the reinstitution of the program if CWD is identified in a county.

* WVIK…

A food safety bill that requires all food handlers to receive training on Celiac disease and safe handling of gluten-free foods has been signed into law. It was sponsored by two lawmakers who represent McLean County.

Republican State Sen. Sally Turner introduced the bill in January, partly after an experience dining out with a staff member with Celiac disease. She described it as a “simple, practical step that can make a big difference for so many families across Illinois.” […]

State Rep. Regan Deering, also a Republican, co-sponsored the bill, which also enhances allergen awareness by recognizing sesame as a major allergen and ensuring food workers are educated on the risks of gluten exposure. Deering said she was pleased to see it cross the finish line.

“Adding language about how to safely handle gluten-free foods to the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act is crucial to many individuals here in Illinois and I was happy to carry this bill for Senator Sally Turner,” Deering said. “Passing small but groundbreaking legislation such as SB 1288 is why I came to Springfield—to make a difference, no matter how big or small it may seem.”

* Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel…

A new law led by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel will streamline local municipal services, allowing the city of Joliet to absorb the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District.

“Joliet is well equipped to ensure a smooth transition between the sanitary district and city, leading to better local governance and removing duplicate systems in the area,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “This is a commonsense switch that will bring greater efficiency and sustainability to how Joliet manages its essential services to the community.”

Under House Bill 663, the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District will dissolve and the city of Joliet will absorb its assets, powers and responsibilities, with any additional assets going to Will County. […]

House Bill 663 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026.