Illinois Department of Human Services tightens map security after data incident

pNowpp30ppMonpp48ppTuepp52ppby Stephanie Nau KTVOppILLINOIS The Illinois Department of Human Services is notifying the public of a data security incident involving internal planning maps that were mistakenly made public from due to incorrect privacy settingspp The maps were used for internal resource planning and created on a mapping websiteppThe data included information related to some individuals in the Division of Rehabilitation Services and recipients of the Medicaid and Medicare Savings ProgramppApproximately 32401 Division of Rehabilitation Services customers were impacted ppThe maps containing DRS customer information were publicly accessible from April 2021 through September 2025 ppThe information involved includes names addresses case numbers case status referral source information region and office information and status as DRS recipientsppApproximately 672616 Medicaid and Medicare Savings Program recipients were impacted ppThe MMSP maps containing user information were publicly accessible from January 2022 through September 2025 ppThe information involved includes addresses case numbers demographic information and the name of medical assistance plans such as Medicaid Medicare etc The information did not include recipients namesppThe IDHS is not aware of any information misuse at this timeppThe issues were discovered on September 22 of 2025 ppUpon discovery the map access was immediately limited a new secure map policy was implemented and IDHS is still in the process of sending notice to the individuals affected by this incidentppThe new IDHS Secure Map Policy prohibits the uploading of any customerlevel data to public mapping websites ppThe notices being sent to affected customers will include tollfree numbers where customers can call for additional information ppCredit reporting agencies and the Federal Trade Commission can also offer information about fraud alerts and security freezes and contact information for those organizations is being provided to the affected individualspppp 2026 Sinclair Incp