Concourse

Illinois

IT Status Report & Strategic Plan

February 23, 2026 · Version 2.0

Executive Summary

Governor

JB Pritzker (D)

CIO

Brandon Ragle

CISO

Markus Veile

IT Organization

Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT)

State Agencies

80

Population

12.6M

✓ Key Strengths

  • Comprehensive 2025-2029 IT strategic plan focused on user-centric digital solutions, modern platforms, cybersecurity enhancement, and broadband expansion across all state agencies
  • Successful IES Refresh modernization migrating the Integrated Eligibility System to VMware Cloud Foundation, ensuring uninterrupted access for 3+ million residents relying on SNAP, Medicaid, and cash assistance
  • New Office of Strategy and Planning led by former Nevada CIO Shanna Rahming, driving enterprise-wide IT governance, accountability, and cost optimization across agencies
  • Strong cybersecurity posture with centralized security organization covering 60+ agencies and 55,000+ employees, including dedicated election cybersecurity program for 100+ election authorities

⚠ Key Risks

  • Massive legacy mainframe footprint across state agencies with no published comprehensive retirement roadmap, creating ongoing security and operational risks
  • IDES unemployment insurance system running on aging infrastructure with limited online self-service capabilities amid $1.1B technology budget constraints
  • Federal AI moratorium creating uncertainty for state-level AI governance and regulation efforts that Illinois had been actively developing
  • 13.3% vacancy rate across state government IT positions (7,700+ unfilled in FY2023) indicating persistent workforce recruitment and retention challenges

Capability Areas

Capability Radar

Cybersecurity & …AI & AutomationDigital Governme…Data Management …Workforce & Tale…Cloud ServicesBroadband & Conn…IT Procurement &…Interoperability…Legacy Moderniza…
Illinois

Current IT Projects

ProjectStatusDescriptionTimeline
DoIT 2025-2029 Strategic Plan ImplementationIn ProgressFive-year strategic framework focused on user-centric digital solutions, modern platform adoption, cybersecurity enhancement, and broadband expansion across 80+ agencies.FY2025-FY2029
IES Refresh & Cloud MigrationOperationalMulti-year infrastructure upgrade of the Integrated Eligibility System migrated to VMware Cloud Foundation, serving 3+ million residents accessing SNAP, Medicaid, and cash assistance benefits.Completed 2024, ongoing optimization
Connect Illinois Broadband ExpansionIn ProgressStatewide broadband deployment leveraging federal BEAD funding and state resources through Illinois Office of Broadband and Partnership for a Connected Illinois. Over $305M invested expanding 3,593 miles of broadband.2025-2028
IDES Unemployment System ModernizationPlanningPlanned modernization of the Illinois Department of Employment Security benefits system to improve online self-service, reduce processing times, and enhance fraud detection capabilities.2026-2028
Enterprise Cybersecurity EnhancementActiveContinued strengthening of centralized cybersecurity posture across 60+ agencies including threat detection, incident response, and the election cybersecurity program for 100+ election authorities.Ongoing
CORE Professional Licensing PlatformOperationalModernized licensing system with IDFPR streamlining professional licensing, renewals, and compliance processes for Illinois residents and businesses.Launched 2024, expanding

100-Day Strategic Plan

Quick-win initiatives for immediate impact

200-Day Strategic Plan

Strategic initiatives for sustained transformation

Sources

  1. DoIT 2025-2029 Strategic Plan (accessed 2026-02-23)
  2. GovTech: Brandon Ragle Named CIO, Secretary of Illinois DoIT (accessed 2026-02-23)
  3. Governor Pritzker Appoints Brandon Ragle as Secretary of DoIT (accessed 2026-02-23)
  4. NASCIO: IES Refresh IL Enterprise Technology Management (accessed 2026-02-23)
  5. GovTech: Illinois Creates Strategy Office to Guide Ongoing Tech Modernization (accessed 2026-02-23)
  6. DoIT 2024 Annual Report (accessed 2026-02-23)
  7. Illinois State Government Headcount Rises (NPR Illinois) (accessed 2026-02-23)
  8. Civic Federation: Examining Illinois Public Workforce Trends (accessed 2026-02-23)
  9. Partnership for a Connected Illinois (accessed 2026-02-23)
  10. Illinois Broadband Lab -- University of Illinois (accessed 2026-02-23)
  11. StateScoop: Five State Tech Stories That Made 2025 (accessed 2026-02-23)
  12. StateScoop: AI Tops Cybersecurity in Survey of State IT Priorities (accessed 2026-02-23)
  13. StateTech Magazine: Experts Outline 2026 State and Local IT Priorities (accessed 2026-02-23)
  14. IDES News and Announcements (accessed 2026-02-23)
  15. NASCIO 2025 State CIO Top 10 Priorities (accessed 2026-02-23)
  16. DOJ Title II Web Accessibility Rule -- WCAG 2.1 AA (accessed 2026-02-23)