By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Local election managers across Illinois say a proposed anti-hacking law isn’t going to change what they do.
Democratic State Senator Michael Hastings says after last fall’s hack of the Illinois State Board of Elections, he wants to make sure local election offices are safe. Hastings is proposing a law to impose new cyber security measures.
But county clerks across Illinois say their systems are safe.
“I’m confident that the LaSalle County voter registration files are safe here,” County Clerk JoAnn Carretto said. “They are on their own network, strictly within my office. It’s not even a part of the county’s network.”
Hastings introduce his plan in the Illinois Senate last week. He wants to make sure that local election systems can’t be infected by malware from the State Board of Election’s computer. Hackers managed to penetrate the state board’s computers last year and stole drivers license numbers and some Social Security information.
McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael said her county handles the IT infrastructure in her office, including the voter files.
“Based upon our IT department’s strong suggestions to not be live, there is no chance for hacking of that equipment,” Michael said. “But what the Russians got into from the Illinois State database is certainly concerning.”
Carretto said you can never say never, but she wishes lawmakers would ask about the realistic chances of something happening before introducing a piece of legislation.
“I wish, for one day, that the different representatives and senators would follow in the footsteps of a county clerk or election commissioner to see everything that goes into what we do. What we’re required to do,” Carretto said.
Carretto said what sounds like a small requirement can cause big problems or cost real money down the road.
