Latest news with #IllinoisHumanRightsAct
Axios
8 hours ago
- Business
- Axios
Illinois AI laws at risk in U.S. budget bill
The U.S. Senate is weighing a provision in the budget, which already passed the House, banning the enforcement of state artificial intelligence laws for 10 years Why it matters: For many AI skeptics, state laws represent a bulwark against privacy, security and potential discrimination risks as the technology gains rapid acceptance at the federal level by the Trump administration. Zoom in: Since 2024, Illinois has passed at least three AI laws that would be nullified for a decade if the provision passes. " The ELVIS Act," which Illinois passed after Tennessee to prohibit AI-generated digital replicas of a person's image, likeness or voice without consent. A change to the Illinois Human Rights Act last year restricts employers from using AI in discriminatory ways as part of the hiring process. A new law was passed through the General Assembly this year that would make Illinois the first state to require online mental health therapists to be real licensed people, not AI-generated therapists. What they're saying: "Even if a company deliberately designs an algorithm that causes foreseeable harm — regardless of how intentional or egregious the misconduct or how devastating the consequences — the company making that bad tech would be unaccountable," a coalition of 140 tech, civil society and education groups said in a letter to House leaders. The other side: During OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's Senate testimony last month, he emphasized the importance of clear federal rules and said it's onerous for the industry to have to operate under different rules in different states, Axios Pro reported. The intrigue: At least one House member, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who voted for the budget bill, said she wasn't aware of the AI provision and would have opposed it. Illinois Republican Reps. Mike Bost, Mary Miller and Darin LaHood all voted for the bill and did not immediately respond to Axios' questions about support for the AI provision. What's next: Some Republican Senators, including Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) have said they don't support a state AI law ban.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Illinois lawmakers request clarity on Trump's order regarding transgender athletes
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — In response to the IHSA's commitment to allowing transgender students to compete in athletic competitions, Illinois lawmakers have sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, seeking clarification on President Trump's executive order banning the practice. A letter, co-signed by Freeport Rep. Andrew Chesney (R) and Cherry Valley Rep. Dave Syverson (R), along with 17 other legislators, seeks guidance on the implementation of the 'Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports' executive order, which was signed by President Trump on February 5th. 'Specifically, we are requesting guidance on how this federal Executive Order applies to high school athletics in Illinois, particularly with respect to policies set by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA),' the letter says. 'When biological males are allowed to compete in girls' and women's sports, it undermines the fairness that Title IX was designed to protect. This is not just about a few lost podium spots – it's about preserving access to scholarships, championships, and athletic experiences that help shape the lives of young women,' the letter continues. The lawmakers ask: Does the position taken by the Illinois Attorney General and the Illinois Department of Human Rights violate federal law? And, does this position place Illinois at risk of litigation or jeopardize federal funding? In March, 40 Illinois lawmakers sent to the IHSA, saying 'the federal government adopted policies under President Trump that clearly prohibit permitting biological men to compete against biological women in sports. On Tuesday, April 15th, the IHSA , 'The Illinois Attorney General and, more recently, the Illinois Department of Human Rights have asserted to the IHSA that the Illinois Human Rights Act requires that transgender athletes be permitted to participate in events and programs aligning with the gender with which they identify. As a result… compliance with the [President's] Executive Order could place the IHSA out of compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act and vice versa.' IHSA Board President Dan Tulley, and IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson, who signed the letter, added, 'The IHSA simply desires to comply with the law and takes no position on which of the foregoing is correct… Given the conflict described above, however, we are left in an untenable position.' Earlier this month, the Department of Education referred an investigation into Maine schools to the Justice Department after the Trump administration said it violated federal anti-discrimination law by allowing biological male students to participate in girls' sports. 'Where federal and state law conflict, states and state entities are required to follow federal law,' Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote, referring to Title IX, the federal civil rights law against sex discrimination that the Trump White House says prohibits trans athletes from competing on girls' and women's teams. Bondi promised legal action against states that refuse to comply with Trump's order. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox News
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Illinois trans athlete policy brewing conflict within state
Print Close By Jackson Thompson Published April 19, 2025 Illinois has become the latest blue state to ensure transgender athletes can play girls sports. Republicans in the state are aggressively trying to change that. The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced it will not comply with President Donald Trump's executive order to keep trans athletes out of girls and women's sports. In a public letter to state GOP lawmakers, the IHSA said Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the Illinois Department of Human Rights have declared that state law requires that transgender athletes be allowed to participate based on gender identity. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Illinois is using a similar playbook to the one being used by Maine in its ongoing feud with the Trump administration over the issue, citing the state's human rights laws as a barrier to banning biological males from girls sports. "As a result of the foregoing, compliance with the Executive Order could place the IHSA out of compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act and vice versa," IHSA Board President Dan Tully wrote in the letter. Tully added that the IHSA finds itself in "an untenable position" as the organization seeks clarity on conflicting directions from state authorities and the Trump administration. "There is a growing narrative seeking to politicize the IHSA's response. However, as it plainly explains in the copy of the letter provided below, the IHSA is seeking clarity on conflicting state and federal law so that we can remain in compliance," an IHSA statement said. Illinois GOP lawmakers sent their own letter to the IHSA in March asking what the body will do to change policy after Trump's executive order passed. Transgender athletes have been permitted to compete in girls sports in Illinois since 2011. TEEN GIRLS OPEN UP ON TRANS ATHLETE SCANDAL THAT TURNED THEIR HIGH SCHOOL INTO A CULTURE WAR BATTLEGROUND In response to the IHSA's recent announcement, several prominent state GOP lawmakers have spoken out in opposition to the rule. Rep. Blaine Wilhour, who led the initiative to send the first letter to IHSA over the issue, told Fox News Digital he is calling on Illinois school districts and school boards to pass local resolutions banning trans athletes from girls sports. "I think every school district needs to make it clear that we are protecting the sanctity of girls sports, and we believe in local control of those decisions," Wilhour said. "I would demand that all of your local districts take this stand and do that. Because when push comes to shove, we win on these issues, but we just need people to be bold and step out there and do the right thing." Wilhour condemned Gov. JB Pritzker and the Democratic majority in the state's legislature for the state's laws that enable trans inclusion in girls sports. Wilhour added that he is calling on the Trump administration to intervene and potentially cut funding in response. "The whole policy is sick. Either you believe in fair competition or you don't. The Democrat Party today, and specifically JB Pritzker, does not believe in fair competition. They put their woke ideology over protecting girls in sports," Wilhour said. MAINE GIRL INVOLVED IN TRANS ATHLETE BATTLE REVEALS HOW STATE'S POLICIES HURT HER CHILDHOOD AND SPORTS CAREER "[The Trump administration is] going to have to engage here, and the leverage that they've got is federal funding. We take millions in federal funding from the government every year. And we don't really savor the situation where that would be withheld. … But I'll take my chances with doing the right thing. … Banning boys from participating in girls sports is the right thing to do, so we need to do the tough things to make it happen." Wilhour also encouraged the IHSA to overrule the state government's direction and ban trans athletes from girls sports anyway. Maine has already seen the type of intervention that Wilhour is calling for, both internally and federally. Maine School District 70 moved to ban trans athletes from girls sports and comply with Trump, defying state law, earlier this week. Maine has also already seen its federal funding cut by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Justice has launched a lawsuit against the state for its continued defiance of Trump's order. A federal Title IX investigation is already underway in Illinois after a Deerfield mother alleged her daughter was forced to change in front of a trans student. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Deerfield Public Schools District 109 is facing a probe by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights after Illinois mother Nicole Georgas brought light to the situation. She filed a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice after alleging school administrators attempted to force her 13-year-old daughter to change in front of a transgender student in the girls locker room last month. She revealed the complaint during a board of education meeting for Deerfield Public School District 109 last week, claiming the incident happened last month after her daughter refused to change into her uniform during physical education because a biological male student had been present. Deerfield Public Schools District 109 responded to the investigation in a statement to Fox News Digital and, like the IHSA, cited the Illinois Human Rights Act for its protocols. "Deerfield Public Schools District 109 complies with state law. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits all public school districts from discriminating on the basis of sex, including gender identity, and mandates that students must be permitted access to the locker room and bathroom that aligns with their gender identity," the statement said. The district also called on families to voice their concerns over certain policies. "The district and the board are united with our leaders and educators on this issue and have a shared commitment to upholding the law," the statement added. "The district and the board call upon all of those expressing concerns or perspectives on this issue with our staff and educators to do so in a respectful and civil manner. We are glad to work with families to address any individual concerns and determine appropriate next steps to support your child's well-being and participation." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X , and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter . Print Close URL
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Illinois trans athlete policy brewing conflict within state
Illinois has become the latest blue state to ensure transgender athletes can play girls sports. Republicans in the state are aggressively trying to change that. The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced it will not comply with President Donald Trump's executive order to keep trans athletes out of girls and women's sports. In a public letter to state GOP lawmakers, the IHSA said Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the Illinois Department of Human Rights have declared that state law requires that transgender athletes be allowed to participate based on gender identity. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Illinois is using a similar playbook to the one being used by Maine in its ongoing feud with the Trump administration over the issue, citing the state's human rights laws as a barrier to banning biological males from girls sports. "As a result of the foregoing, compliance with the Executive Order could place the IHSA out of compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act and vice versa," IHSA Board President Dan Tully wrote in the letter. Tully added that the IHSA finds itself in "an untenable position" as the organization seeks clarity on conflicting directions from state authorities and the Trump administration. "There is a growing narrative seeking to politicize the IHSA's response. However, as it plainly explains in the copy of the letter provided below, the IHSA is seeking clarity on conflicting state and federal law so that we can remain in compliance," an IHSA statement said. Illinois GOP lawmakers sent their own letter to the IHSA in March asking what the body will do to change policy after Trump's executive order passed. Transgender athletes have been permitted to compete in girls sports in Illinois since 2011. TEEN GIRLS OPEN UP ON TRANS ATHLETE SCANDAL THAT TURNED THEIR HIGH SCHOOL INTO A CULTURE WAR BATTLEGROUND In response to the IHSA's recent announcement, several prominent state GOP lawmakers have spoken out in opposition to the rule. Rep. Blaine Wilhour, who led the initiative to send the first letter to IHSA over the issue, told Fox News Digital he is calling on Illinois school districts and school boards to pass local resolutions banning trans athletes from girls sports. "I think every school district needs to make it clear that we are protecting the sanctity of girls sports, and we believe in local control of those decisions," Wilhour said. "I would demand that all of your local districts take this stand and do that. Because when push comes to shove, we win on these issues, but we just need people to be bold and step out there and do the right thing." Wilhour condemned Gov. JB Pritzker and the Democratic majority in the state's legislature for the state's laws that enable trans inclusion in girls sports. Wilhour added that he is calling on the Trump administration to intervene and potentially cut funding in response. "The whole policy is sick. Either you believe in fair competition or you don't. The Democrat Party today, and specifically JB Pritzker, does not believe in fair competition. They put their woke ideology over protecting girls in sports," Wilhour said. MAINE GIRL INVOLVED IN TRANS ATHLETE BATTLE REVEALS HOW STATE'S POLICIES HURT HER CHILDHOOD AND SPORTS CAREER "[The Trump administration is] going to have to engage here, and the leverage that they've got is federal funding. We take millions in federal funding from the government every year. And we don't really savor the situation where that would be withheld. … But I'll take my chances with doing the right thing. … Banning boys from participating in girls sports is the right thing to do, so we need to do the tough things to make it happen." Wilhour also encouraged the IHSA to overrule the state government's direction and ban trans athletes from girls sports anyway. Maine has already seen the type of intervention that Wilhour is calling for, both internally and federally. Maine School District 70 moved to ban trans athletes from girls sports and comply with Trump, defying state law, earlier this week. Maine has also already seen its federal funding cut by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Justice has launched a lawsuit against the state for its continued defiance of Trump's order. A federal Title IX investigation is already underway in Illinois after a Deerfield mother alleged her daughter was forced to change in front of a trans student. Deerfield Public Schools District 109 is facing a probe by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights after Illinois mother Nicole Georgas brought light to the situation. She filed a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice after alleging school administrators attempted to force her 13-year-old daughter to change in front of a transgender student in the girls locker room last month. She revealed the complaint during a board of education meeting for Deerfield Public School District 109 last week, claiming the incident happened last month after her daughter refused to change into her uniform during physical education because a biological male student had been present. Deerfield Public Schools District 109 responded to the investigation in a statement to Fox News Digital and, like the IHSA, cited the Illinois Human Rights Act for its protocols. "Deerfield Public Schools District 109 complies with state law. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits all public school districts from discriminating on the basis of sex, including gender identity, and mandates that students must be permitted access to the locker room and bathroom that aligns with their gender identity," the statement said. The district also called on families to voice their concerns over certain policies. "The district and the board are united with our leaders and educators on this issue and have a shared commitment to upholding the law," the statement added. "The district and the board call upon all of those expressing concerns or perspectives on this issue with our staff and educators to do so in a respectful and civil manner. We are glad to work with families to address any individual concerns and determine appropriate next steps to support your child's well-being and participation." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
After Trump trans athlete ban, IHSA says it's in ‘untenable position'
The Brief The IHSA, which governs Illinois high school sports, says it's in an "untenable position" after a Trump executive order banning transgender athletes from girls sports. The association said it's been told that complying with the executive order could violate state law. Republican state lawmakers asked IHSA what it would do to change its current policy in light of Trump's executive order. The governing body for high school sports in Illinois told Republican state lawmakers this week that it is in an "untenable position" about whether to allow transgender athletes to compete in sporting events. The backstory The issue came up after President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Feb. 5 banning the participation of transgender athletes in girls' and women's sports in schools. On March 18, Republican members of the Illinois House of Representatives sent a letter to IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson asking the body what it will do to change its policy of allowing transgender athletes to participate in sports to comply with Trump's executive order. The IHSA must grant eligibility for a transgender student to compete in "gender specific state series athletic events or activities," according to the association's policy. Then, last Tuesday, IHSA officials sent a letter back to the GOP lawmakers saying that the Illinois Attorney General and the Illinois Department of Human Rights said that state law requires that transgender athletes be allowed to participate in competitions aligning with their gender identity. "As a result of the foregoing, compliance with the Executive Order could place the IHSA out of compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act and vice versa," wrote IHSA Board President Dan Tully and Anderson. They added, "The IHSA simply desires to comply with the law and takes no position as to which of the foregoing is correct or whether there can be alignment between claimed federal and state law. Given the conflict described above, however, we are left in an untenable position." What they're saying The IHSA officials asked state lawmakers and other elected officials to "work together with federal authorities to provide clear direction on this issue." In response to that letter, House GOP Leader Tony McCombie, who represents parts of the northwest corner of the state, criticized the IHSA. "The IHSA has once again chosen deflection over direction, and ambiguity over action," McCombie said in a statement. "Their response is not just late—it's weak. Saying, 'It's not our problem,' doesn't serve the students of this state. It's not leadership—it's a cop-out." McCombie also referenced the possibility of a loss of federal funding if the IHSA doesn't comply with the executive order. The IHSA said it does not receive state or federal funding.
