David Koehler

Illinois Senator Ram Villivalam's SB4016 imposes sweeping environmental, water, and energy regulations on hyperscale data centers, the massive facilities powering AI and cloud computing. Operators would face cumulative impact assessments, community benefits agreements, Water Impact Permits renewed every 5 years, quarterly water usage reporting, mandatory renewable energy procurement, and new fees based on peak power demand. The bill also bans nondisclosure agreements tied to data center siting and requires municipalities to adopt automated residential solar permitting platforms by July 1, 2027.

Cloud Computing & Hyperscale Data CentersAI InfrastructureUtilities & Energy

Last action: Feb 6, 2026

IllinoisIntroduced

High Risk

SB2995

Illinois Senator Rachel Ventura's SB2995 would require any business using AI to talk to Illinois consumers (think chatbots, AI voice agents, AI sales tools) to clearly disclose that it's AI, not a human. Businesses would also have to offer a free option to talk to a real human during business hours. Violations would be treated as consumer fraud under Illinois law.

E-commerce and RetailFinancial Services and InsuranceHealthcare

Last action: Jan 29, 2026

IllinoisEnacted

Medium Risk