State Police address FOID, cyber security audit findings
(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.
###
Latest News Stories
Will County Committee Grapples with $8.9 Million Budget Gap After Contentious 0% Tax Levy Vote
Peotone CUSD 207-U Administration Faces Criticism Over Budget Deficit, Financial History
Parents Allege Security Failures After Student Assault at Peotone Homecoming
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 for October 16, 2025
Poll: Americans divided on Trump’s deportation, immigration policies
WATCH: Pritzker to sign exec. order to ‘pursue accountability’ amid federal deployments
Helicopter crash claims lives of Bailey’s son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker creates commission to hear alleged ICE abuses
WATCH: WA Senate candidates differ on taxes, parental rights, protecting girls’ sports
Newsom, Bonta vow suit over National Guard deployment
U.S. nuclear stockpile hit with shutdown furloughs