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Illinois Set to Ban Smart Glasses While Driving

WireByte Staff · June 18, 2026

Illinois is poised to become the first US state to ban smart glasses of all kinds while driving, with fines of up to $150 for repeat offenses and potential misdemeanor or felony charges for serious crashes. The bill aims to reduce driver distractions, but critics argue it gives police too much power. The proposal may set a precedent for other states.

Key points

  • Illinois is set to ban smart glasses while driving, with fines of up to $150 for repeat offenses.
  • The bill makes no distinction between smart glasses with and without displays.
  • Other states, such as New York, have proposed similar bills, but none have progressed as far as Illinois'.
  • The proposal aims to reduce driver distractions and make roads safer, but critics argue it gives police too much power.
  • Governor JB Pritzker has not yet approved the bill, but it is expected to pass.

Illinois is on the verge of becoming the first US state to ban smart glasses while driving. The bill, which has been proposed in the state legislature, aims to reduce driver distractions and make roads safer. However, critics argue that the ban gives police too much power to pull drivers over.

The bill makes no distinction between smart glasses with and without displays, which has raised concerns among some who believe it could be used to target specific groups. Other states, such as New York, have proposed similar bills, but none have progressed as far as Illinois'.

The proposal aims to reduce driver distractions and make roads safer, but critics argue that it is an overreach of authority. Governor JB Pritzker has not yet approved the bill, but it is expected to pass.

The ban would apply to all smart glasses, including those with navigation and other features that are intended to assist drivers. While the intention behind the ban is to reduce distractions, some argue that it could have unintended consequences, such as making it more difficult for drivers to use their glasses for legitimate purposes.

The outcome of the bill is still uncertain, but it is likely to set a precedent for other states. If it passes, it could have significant implications for the use of smart glasses while driving in the US.

Sources

WireByte Staff — Editorial Team

The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.