State Police address FOID, cyber security audit findings

State Police address FOID, cyber security audit findings

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – As his agency works to correct compliance findings by the state’s auditor general, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly says Firearm Owner’s Identification Card backlogs have been eliminated and processing times have improved.

Kelly appeared before the Legislative Audit Commission and addressed findings that his department did not comply with FOID Act requirements.

Courtney Dzierwa of the Auditor General’s Office said renewal fees were deposited into the wrong fund, and ISP was late to provide notification of expiring cards in some cases.

“We recommended the department ensure notifications to FOID card holders are sent in a timely manner and ensure fees are deposited in accordance with the act,” Dzierwa said.

Kelly said the FOID system has been modernized and the backlog has been eliminated.

“The average processing time now for a new FOID card is 14 days, and that’s well below the statutory limitation,” Kelly said.

Dzierwa said the auditor’s most recent examination had 32 findings, but no new material weaknesses and an overall reduction of weaknesses.

State Sen. Laura Ellman, D-Naperville, expressed concern about an audit finding that ISP did not maintain adequate security controls over computer systems to safeguard confidential information.

“That’s a big red flag for me, so I’d like you to talk to me about what you’ve done to remediate,” Ellman said.

Kelly said ISP uses software from 35 different vendors.

“We’re pretty close to having all the vendors now meeting the requirements we expect from all of them in terms of their cyber security requirements, the agreements that they have in order to do business with the Illinois State Police,” Kelly said.

Kelly said his office has been more aggressive in training workers to not respond to phishing emails.

“It’s concerning that you see smart, intelligent people that will click on something that they shouldn’t,” Kelly said.

###

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Teacher unions spent over $1B on political causes since 2015

Teacher unions spent over $1B on political causes since 2015

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square National teachers unions have spent over $1 billion on political activity and advocacy since 2015, according to a new report by Defending Education. Both reports,...
Illinoisans may soon need registration, title, license to use e-bikes, scooters

Illinoisans may soon need registration, title, license to use e-bikes, scooters

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinoisans may soon be required to register their e-bikes, motorized scooters and other various modes of transport...
Executive order creates website for retirement accounts, matching federal contributions

Executive order creates website for retirement accounts, matching federal contributions

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday aiming to expand access to “high-quality” retirement accounts to all Americans. The administration will launch a website...
Congress extends govt. surveillance powers for 45 days

Congress extends govt. surveillance powers for 45 days

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. House has adopted a short-term extension of FISA Section 702, buying lawmakers more time to hammer out reforms to the controversial federal surveillance...
Report: 10% credit card cap could cut off 64 million Americans, risk recession

Report: 10% credit card cap could cut off 64 million Americans, risk recession

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A proposed federal cap on credit card interest rates could drastically reduce Americans' access to credit and hurt the U.S. economy, a new report warns....
Pritzker’s commission report pushes for local investigations of federal 'brutality'

Pritzker’s commission report pushes for local investigations of federal ‘brutality’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Illinois Accountability Commission has released its report on alleged abuses by federal immigration law...

WATCH: Trump ‘probably’ considering pulling U.S. troops out of Italy, Spain

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Thursday said he is considering removing U.S. military troops from Italy and Spain, due to the country's lack of assistance during...
Illinois mulls change allowing pension investment in anti-Israel companies

Illinois mulls change allowing pension investment in anti-Israel companies

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Multiple speakers shared personal stories Thursday from the conflict between Israeli forces and Palestinians in an effort...
Gun rights advocate questions Illinois ballistic imaging plan

Gun rights advocate questions Illinois ballistic imaging plan

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A newly introduced measure in the Illinois General Assembly aimed at expanding ballistic imaging technology is...
Camp Mystic suspends summer operation 2 days after Texas lawmakers' demands

Camp Mystic suspends summer operation 2 days after Texas lawmakers’ demands

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Camp Mystic owners have agreed to suspend camp operations this summer after being called to do so by state lawmakers and parents whose daughters were...
Six Democrats seeking 13th Congressional District post

Six Democrats seeking 13th Congressional District post

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Six candidates are competing for the Democratic nomination in Georgia's 13th Congressional District. Incumbent David Scott died on April 22. Scott served in Congress for...
DHS shutdown ends after 76 days

DHS shutdown ends after 76 days

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After weeks of delay, the U.S. House on Thursday approved the Senate’s legislation reopening the Department of Homeland Security. President Donald Trump signed the legislation...
Farm bill passes U.S. House, heads to Senate for approval

Farm bill passes U.S. House, heads to Senate for approval

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 passed the U.S. House Thursday in a 224-200 vote, a hopeful sign for America’s agricultural industry...
Alleged WHCD shooter to remain in federal custody until trial

Alleged WHCD shooter to remain in federal custody until trial

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The accused shooter at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Saturday will remain in federal custody while awaiting a trial, a judge said on...
DeSantis: Ruling vindicates Florida redrawing congressional maps

DeSantis: Ruling vindicates Florida redrawing congressional maps

By David BeasleyThe Center Square A U.S. Supreme Court ruling Wednesday “compelled” Florida to redraw congressional districts, second-term Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday a day after the Legislature approved...