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Waymo Begins Testing Self-Driving Cars in Chicago
Illinois lawmakers consider bill to legalize autonomous vehicles on state roads
Apr. 8, 2026 at 5:14am
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Waymo's self-driving car sensors undergo advanced testing on the streets of Chicago as the company pushes to expand its autonomous vehicle operations.Chicago TodayWaymo, the self-driving car company owned by Google's parent Alphabet, has begun testing and mapping its autonomous vehicles on the streets of downtown Chicago. Currently, Waymo's cars must be operated by a human driver, as the industry seeks approval from state legislators to allow fully driverless vehicles on Illinois roads.
Why it matters
The testing in Chicago marks an important step for Waymo as it expands its autonomous vehicle operations beyond its initial launch markets. Legalizing self-driving cars in Illinois could open up a major new market for Waymo and other AV companies, but will also raise questions about public safety, liability, and the impact on jobs like taxi and rideshare drivers.
The details
Waymo has been spotted testing its self-driving vehicles in downtown Chicago, mapping the city's streets and infrastructure as it prepares to potentially launch commercial autonomous vehicle services in the market. However, under current Illinois law, the Waymo vehicles must still have a human safety driver behind the wheel, as the state has not yet passed legislation to explicitly permit the operation of fully driverless cars.
- Waymo began testing its autonomous vehicles in downtown Chicago in early 2026.
- Illinois lawmakers are currently considering a bill that would legalize the operation of autonomous vehicles on state roads.
The players
Waymo
Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company that is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google. Waymo is one of the leading developers of self-driving car technology.
Illinois Legislature
The Illinois state legislature is considering a bill that would allow for the legal operation of autonomous vehicles on roads throughout the state.
What’s next
If the Illinois legislature passes the autonomous vehicle bill, it would clear the way for Waymo and other self-driving car companies to deploy their vehicles without human safety drivers on the state's roads.
The takeaway
Waymo's testing in Chicago represents the continued expansion of autonomous vehicle technology, but also highlights the need for state lawmakers to update regulations to keep pace with these rapid advancements and ensure public safety.
