Press Release

Economic Security Illinois Action Urges Passage of Surveillance Pricing Legislation in State Senate

04. 09. 2026

Labor leaders and Consumer Reports testify before AI subcommittee to advance critical affordability legislation

Springfield, IL — Economic Security Illinois Action today is urging action on SB 2255, the Surveilling-Based Pricing Discrimination Act, following testimony before the AI and Social Media Subcommittee of the Illinois Senate Executive Committee. The bill would prohibit companies from using sensitive data—such as location, browsing history, purchasing behavior, and other personal information—to set individualized prices using sophisticated AI tools, while establishing clear standards to ensure transparency and fairness in how prices are determined. 

The legislation seeks to protect Illinoisans from discriminatory, opaque pricing practices that drive up costs during an ongoing affordability crisis. Economic Security Illinois Action Director of Policy and Research Erion Malasi released the following statement: 

“As working families struggle to afford basic necessities, corporations are experimenting with AI to see how much we can pay. Thanks to sophisticated algorithms, they can take our sensitive and personal data and turn it into an individual price, which is often higher than what the market would dictate,” said Erion Malasi. “This bill is about making it clear that personal data shouldn’t be used against working families so corporations can take every last dollar. Illinoisans deserve fair, transparent pricing and a marketplace where everyone plays by the same rules.”