LIBERTYVILLE – President Joe Biden issued a landmark executive order to establish new safety and security stands for artificial intelligence, a move applauded by State Senator Mary Edly-Allen and State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz.

“We need to balance rapidly progressing technology that maximizes artificial intelligence possibilities while also protecting against the potential harms it can cause,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “We are starting to see how unrestricted technology can do harm without practical safeguards in place. I applaud the Biden administration for taking urgent action to work toward ending the exploitation, humiliation and harassment that AI has caused.”

President Biden issued an executive order Monday to establish new standards or AI safety and security, protect Americans’ privacy, advance equity and civil rights, stand up for consumers and workers, promote innovation and competition, and more.

The move comes just months after Edly-Allen and Gong-Gershowitz visited the White House to discuss ways to combat online abuse, hate and harassment at the federal and state level.

This year, Edly-Allen and Gong-Gershowitz were instrumental in passing a measure to crack down on the abusive and harmful use of digital forgeries – also known as deepfakes. The law – found within House Bill 2123 – creates a civil cause of action against any person who knowingly distributes, creates or solicits a digital forgery of another individual without their consent and for the purposes of harassing, extorting, threatening or causing harm to the falsely depicted individual.

Previously, the two legislators led legislation to create the Civil Remedies for Nonconsensual Dissemination of Private Sexual Images Act, allowing victims of revenge porn to recover economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.

“AI is a rapidly-developing tool that fundamentally impacts every sector of our society, including individual safety and civil rights,” said Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview). “We must ensure that appropriate legal protections and standards are in place to properly address the complex set of dangers and opportunities that AI introduces in order to effectively safeguard individual consumers and the public against the inherent risks to safety, security, and truth it can pose.”

Edly-Allen and Gong-Gershowitz will continue to advocate for ways to provide protection and security from the ever-growing AI industry.

LIBERTYVILLE – State Senator Mary Edly-Allen, along with State Representative Laura Faver Dias, will be hosting an in-person and online informational session Oct. 12 that will teach seniors and their loved ones top tips to know about elder law.

“We want our seniors and their families to be prepared and equipped with the knowledge they need to navigate the legal aspects of health and long-term care planning,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “Join us to learn more about topics such as powers of attorney, guardianship, financial aspects of aging, and Medicaid.”

The event will take place Oct. 12 from 12-1 p.m. at the University Center of Lake County, 1200 University Center Dr. in Grayslake as well as online. Those attending in person are encouraged to bring lunch. Drinks and desserts will be provided.

“I would especially like to thank the University Center of Lake County for hosting this event as well as Lauren A. Weldon, a prominent local elder law attorney, for sharing her time and expertise with us,” said Edly-Allen. “I encourage all residents to join us to gain the knowledge you will need to protect you and your family.”

To register for the event, go to https://elderlawtoptips.eventbrite.com.

LIBERTYVILLE – State Senator Mary Edly-Allen released the following statement addressing new leadership over the Department of Children and Family Services:

“DCFS has faced many challenges over the years. Day in and day out there are many dedicated and hardworking staff who continually show up for our Illinois children and families.

“A national search has begun for a new director. I look forward to new leadership that will guide the department into a new day and support the DCFS mission “to protect children who are reported to be abused or neglected and to increase their families' capacity to safely care for them.”