b'CONNECTINGNew Laws Illinois employers have walkedhuman resources. Beverly Alfon of away from this years New LawsAmundsen Davis, LLC presented Forum with a clearer understandinga detailed discussion on how AI Forum 2025of the major legal and regulatorytools were increasingly being used changes that defined 2025. The eventin recruiting, hiring, and other Highlights brought together industry leaders,employment-related activities. She legal experts, and state officials whoexamined the compliance, privacy, offered critical insights into state andand discrimination risks associated federal developments, as well as thewith AI and contrasted them with evolving role of artificial intelligencethe operational efficiencies the in the workplace. technology can provide. Her session The conference opened withhelped employers better understand Jordan Ryan of the Illinois Chamberhow to responsibly integrate AI while The event broughtof Commerce and Jeffrey Rischnavigating emerging legal standards.of Amundsen Davis, LLC, whoAfter the morning break and together industrydelivered a comprehensive overviewvisits with exhibitors, Jeff Risch of significant state-level case lawreturned to the stage to review key leaders, legal experts,developments, statutory changes,federal-level legal developments. and state officials whoand shifting administrative agencyHe summarized recent changes priorities. Their session highlightedfrom agencies such as the U.S. offered critical insightsthe most consequential legislationDepartment of Labor, EEOC, and to emerge from the 2025 IllinoisNLRB, focusing on how new rules into state and federalGeneral Assembly, while also offeringand guidance affected wage-and-developments, as wella forward-looking perspective onhour compliance, union-related what employers could expect in 2026.activity, workplace accommodations, as the evolving role ofAttendees gained valuable insightand broader employment practices. into the Illinois Chambers ongoingHis presentation offered practical artificial intelligence inpolicy initiatives and advocacytakeaways that employers could the workplace. efforts, helping them prepare forimmediately apply within their regulatory trends on the horizon. organizations.One of the most relevant andFollowing lunch, participants timely sessions addressed the risingturned their attention to the One use of artificial intelligence inBig Beautiful Billone of the 12ILLINOIS BUSINESS LEADER'