Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., has written to Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner requesting information about the state’s efforts to secure the upcoming 2018 election after Illinois’ systems were hacked in 2016.
Kelly represents Homewood and Flossmoor in Congress.
Despite nearly two years of lead time, Kelly quoted a report from members of the Congressional House Committee on Administration that found despite nearly two years of lead time leading up to the 2018 election, Illinois represented a Tier 2 threat state with three current vulnerabilities.
A Tier 2 threat is defined as: “States that have significant election security vulnerabilities but may not be planning on using federal assistance to address their biggest vulnerabilities.”
While the state has applied for funding through the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, it has yet to provide a detailed strategy or plan on how it will use these critical funds to secure the upcoming election, Kelly said.
“Ensuring the security of Illinois’ elections and voter data is not solely the responsibility of the state government,” she said. “It requires a whole of government approach, including in-depth cooperation at the local, state and federal levels.”
Her letter to Rauner says: “I look forward to working with you, the State Board of Elections and the Department of Innovation and Technology to ensure a safe, secure, fair and free election in our state and nationally.”