In light of a serious data breach impacting potentially thousands of Illinoisans who had applied for unemployment benefits, Senator Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) is calling for immediate consideration of legislation he filed last fall that would address such situations.
In recent days, news broke that Social Security numbers and other personal information for thousands of applicants for unemployment benefits had been displayed on the state’s Pandemic Unemployment Assistance website. While the full number of individuals who have been impacted by this breach is not known, it is believed to be in the thousands.
“This is simply unacceptable. Protecting the privacy and security of citizens’ personal data is critical. In situations like this, where state government has failed in that mission, they need to take responsibility and provide assistance,” said McConchie.
Senate Bill 2301, filed by McConchie last November, would require the state to cover the cost of providing identity-theft protection for a year in situations such as this where state government has disclosed personal data.
“This legislation, especially in light of recent headlines, should get a fair hearing and be considered before the General Assembly,” said McConchie. “We need to pass this legislation to ensure that residents are protected from future breaches. Until that can happen, I’m calling on the state to voluntarily provide credit monitoring.”
McConchie filed Senate Bill 2301 after the state posted Social Security numbers and other identifying information for all boat owners in the state twice within the same month. The legislation has not yet been heard in a Senate committee.