Hackers to attempt to breach Illinois State Police FOID website
(The Center Square) – The Illinois State Police has yet to respond to a report that the state’s website for processing FOID cards was hacked, but a state lawmaker confirmed the breach Thursday.
State. Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, confirmed Illinois State Police are responding to attempts to access personal information through the state’s FOID portal. Caulkins said he talked with Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly, who confirmed an attempted breach and said security had been tightened. That action could create further delays in FOID applications, Caulkins said.
On Thursday afternoon, TheTruthAboutGuns.com published a headline “Illinois State Police Website Hacked, Gun Owner Data Compromised, Site Won’t Accept New FOID Applications,” based on anonymous reports.
“The now-crippled website won’t accept new applications for residents seeking to exercise their right to own or even handle firearms or ammunition,” author John Boch wrote. “What’s more, it doesn’t seem to work for existing gun owners to make changes either.”
A spokesperson for the Illinois State Police responded Thursday afternoon that the agency was working on a statement, but did not immediately confirm the report.
Illinoisans who want to buy and own firearms and ammunition must have a Firearm Owners Identification card issued by Illinois State Police. For more than 18 months, the state has been delayed in processing applications for the required ID, with many waiting months.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker just signed legislation this week supporters said modernizes the system and the ISP director said more resources are being put toward processing the delays.
Last fall, ISP updated its website, including those for processing FOID applications.
Last week, ISP didn’t return a message about changes to its website and the tracking of FOID card application statistics.
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