NW Illinois News

Sen. Brian Stewart (R-Freeport) threw questions to Illinois Board of Elections Acting Director Bernadette Matthews during the Senate Appropriations General Services Committee hearing on April 7 concerning election security.

While the board has stated that no data or election information has been compromised, Stewart asked the current status of election security.  

“Election security is obviously important following the last election. Can you kind of give us a little update as to where the Illinois State Board of election is on election security and cyber-security?" Stewart asked. “So, it is your belief that the Board of Elections has implemented adequate internal controls and as they relate to cybersecurity programs and practices?”

The acting board director confirmed to the senator that the board prioritizes election security and cybersecurity and touted that they have recently won an EAC Stone Election Assistance Commission Clearing House award.

Matthews, the board’s assistant executive director was named acting director after the four Democratic and four Republican board members unanimously voted to place executive director Steve Sandvoss on paid administrative leave. “Out of an abundance of caution,” as stated on their press release, the members made the decision after Sandvoss reported that he was a target of an online extortion attempt.

Some places, like Will County, are taking election integrity into its own hands. Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow encouraged that community to report election irregularities to his office's Election Fraud Hotline during the April 6 Consolidated Election.