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

US House passes Save Our Shrimpers Act

US House passes Save Our Shrimpers Act

By Nolan MckendryThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation aimed at stopping American taxpayer dollars from helping finance foreign shrimp operations that Gulf Coast lawmakers say...
CBO says Pentagon's Golden Dome estimate off by $1 trillion

CBO says Pentagon’s Golden Dome estimate off by $1 trillion

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said Tuesday that President Donald Trump's Golden Dome missile defense shield could cost American taxpayers as much as $1.2 trillion...
VA budget tops $488B as workforce stays above DOGE target

VA budget tops $488B as workforce stays above DOGE target

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Department of Veterans Affairs is requesting $488.2 billion for fiscal year 2027, a 7.7% increase over current spending levels, as VA Secretary Doug Collins...
VA budget tops $488B as workforce stays above DOGE target

VA budget tops $488B as workforce stays above DOGE target

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Department of Veterans Affairs is requesting $488.2 billion for fiscal year 2027, a 7.7% increase over current spending levels, as VA Secretary Doug Collins...
DEA warns fentanyl mixtures overwhelming overdose reversal drug

DEA warns fentanyl mixtures overwhelming overdose reversal drug

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration warned Americans Tuesday that fentanyl is increasingly mixed with a dangerous array of synthetic substances that can limit the effectiveness...
DEA warns fentanyl mixtures overwhelming overdose reversal drug

DEA warns fentanyl mixtures overwhelming overdose reversal drug

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration warned Americans Tuesday that fentanyl is increasingly mixed with a dangerous array of synthetic substances that can limit the effectiveness...
Cook County must pay for taking homes over unpaid property tax: Judge

Cook County must pay for taking homes over unpaid property tax: Judge

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Cook County could be on the hook for at least tens of millions of dollars, if not more than $100 million, to...
Chicago aldermen consider $54.7M tax break for United Center project

Chicago aldermen consider $54.7M tax break for United Center project

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago City Council may consider a $54.7 million property tax break for owners of the Chicago...
Farmers call for fertilizer price transparency, domestic growth

Farmers call for fertilizer price transparency, domestic growth

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Farmers and advocates on Tuesday called on Congress to implement transparency reporting requirements in fertilizer pricing. The U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee held...
Major nationwide Tren de Aragua crackdown, more than 80 firearms seized

Major nationwide Tren de Aragua crackdown, more than 80 firearms seized

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Trump administration continues to crack down on violent Tren de Aragua Venezuelan prison gang members after they flooded the country during the Biden administration....
Illinois Quick Hits: State taxpayers to cover student loan debt for civil engineers

Illinois Quick Hits: State taxpayers to cover student loan debt for civil engineers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that the state will pay $15,000 of eligible student loan...
Beecher Baseball Bobcats

Beecher Baseball Rallies Past Chicago University, 5-3

BEECHER, IL – The Beecher varsity baseball team utilized a balanced offensive attack and strong work on the mound to secure a 5-3 victory over Chicago University in Monday’s non-conference matchup....
Beecher Softball ladycats

Beecher Edges Providence Catholic in Pitcher’s Duel

NEW LENOX, IL – In a classic defensive struggle that required extra innings to settle, the Providence Catholic varsity softball team fell to Beecher 2-1 on Monday. The game was defined...
Fitzpatrick, Houlahan, Kelly, Smucker back bipartisan immigration reform bill

Fitzpatrick, Houlahan, Kelly, Smucker back bipartisan immigration reform bill

By John ColeThe Center Square A bipartisan group of Pennsylvania lawmakers has signed on to an immigration reform proposal that is dividing House Republicans. U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-1st District;...
Lawmakers grill Hegseth on Iran conflict, $1.5T budget request

Lawmakers grill Hegseth on Iran conflict, $1.5T budget request

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As the U.S.-Iran conflict continues with no end in sight, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth dodged questions from U.S. lawmakers on both sides of the...