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.
###
Sunny
Latest News Stories
These are the members of Congress who voted against disclosing sexual harassment claims
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker to Noem: ‘Don’t let the door hit you’
Chicago police monitor Iran-U.S. conflict; public advised to be aware
Illinois secretary of state wants nearly 2% budget increase
Illinois Quick Hits: Suspect arrested in connection with East St. Louis killing
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Litchfield Park District for Feb. 4, 2026
Oil cos. ask to pause Chicago climate ‘deception’ suit til SCOTUS weighs in
Illinois quick hits: Ex-Carlyle Police Chief faces federal embezzlement charges;
Lawmaker proposes property tax credits as housing debate continues
Illinois municipalities push for local fuel tax as gas prices rise
Illinois lawmaker supports EPA rollback; AG opposes
Illinois Quick Hits: Report shows Illinois with highest U.S. tax rates
