Senator Edly-Allen advances measure to protect artists from AI

SPRINGFIELD – Recording artists will soon have more protections from AI replicating their voice or work thanks to new legislation introduced by Senator Mary Edly-Allen.

“Musicians often spend years of their lives perfecting their craft. It is unfair that their hard-earned talents can be stolen for other purposes in a matter of seconds without compensation,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “We need strong regulations and protections in place to safeguard artists when people try to steal their work and pass it off as their own using artificial intelligence (AI).”

As an emerging technological platform, there are no current restrictions on AI models replicating a music artist’s voice. Without regulations, some organizations and even music studios have sought to establish a monopoly of control over their artists’ voices and melodies for AI projects.

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Stadelman legislation to safeguard utility services for Illinois residents

SPRINGFIELD – To protect residents from losing access to their electric or gas services, State Senator Steve Stadelman led legislation through the Senate to prevent the disconnection of services for customers actively seeking energy payment assistance.

“This is a significant step in ensuring that all Illinois residents have access to the energy they need, especially during difficult times,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “No family should have to choose between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table.”

The legislation would require utility companies with more than 500,000 customers to enact procedures to prevent the disconnection of services for customers who are actively seeking energy payment assistance. Customers who apply for assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or the Percentage of Income Payment Plan would be protected from disconnection for 30 days after the utility receives notice of the customer’s application. If assistance is received, the customer is protected for an additional 45 days.

Read more: Stadelman legislation to safeguard utility services for Illinois residents

Villivalam measure to include dependent coverage for parents or stepparents

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Ram Villivalam passed a measure through the Senate to extend dependent accident and health insurance benefits to parents.

“When children are caring for parents or stepparents, it is not always seamless to provide quality and comprehensive coverage for their medical needs,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “By expanding options for health care coverage, we are making sure that people have access to coverage that they deserve.”

Villivalam’s measure would require group or individual policies of accident and health insurance that provide dependent coverage to make such coverage available to parents or stepparents of the insured individual.

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Peters commemorates historic milestone with first-ever Tradeswomen Take Over Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Robert Peters joined forces with labor unions on Thursday to celebrate a groundbreaking moment in the state’s capital— the first-ever Tradeswomen Take Over Springfield event.

"It’s often forgotten that our country has a long history of women in trades, particularly as it relates to the labor movement during World War II," said Peters (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Labor Committee. "Tradeswomen Take Over Springfield honors that history and connects it to the labor movement today. Women have made invaluable contributions to the labor movement, building a workforce where every individual – regardless of gender, race or background – has the opportunity to pursue a career in trades."

Read more: Peters commemorates historic milestone with first-ever Tradeswomen Take Over Springfield