Illinois Drops Policy Blocking Schools From COVID-19 Test Funding

CHICAGO — Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration has reversed its decision to deny school districts federal funding for a particular brand of coronavirus saliva testing that officials say helped keep classrooms open during the coronavirus crisis, Patch has learned.

News of the policy change came Tuesday after state Rep. Michael Zalewski introduced legislation that would require the state to reimburse school districts for the cost of coronavirus surveillance testing that Pritzker administration officials said didn't qualify for federal funding.

Zalewski, a Riverside Democrat, said he introduced the legislative amendment after reading a Patch investigative report detailing the Pritzker administration's decision to block school districts from receiving reimbursement through federal COVID-19 relief for a rapid coronavirus saliva test conducted by SafeGuard Surveillance — a competitor of the University of Illinois' budding coronavirus testing operation, Shield Illinois.

"My kids go to a school that uses [SafeGuard Surveillance] tests, and I thought the tests worked really well. And that's the standard, so I thought it was unfair" districts were told they wouldn't be reimbursed for the cost of testing, Zalewski said.

The Pritzker administration's decision to block districts from being reimbursed for SafeGuard saliva tests would leave local taxpayers on the hook for millions of dollars, a tab that otherwise would be paid through federal coronavirus relief funding.

Glenbard School District 87, for instance, had its request reimbursement for $742,500 in coronavirus testing denied by the state. On Wednesday, District 87 assistant superintendent Chris McClain told Patch the state approved its resubmitted request for federal funding for SafeGuard testing.

On Tuesday, the pending amendment to House Bill 1161 was forwarded to the Rules Committee. That same day, Zalewski said Illinois State Board of Education officials contacted him to discuss the measure.

"They're working with me," he said. "My sense is there's been a policy shift, but we are trying to [get] assurances via writing."

MORE ON PATCH: Is Pritzker Steering School COVID-19 Testing Contracts To U of I?

Patch obtained an email sent by state board of education lawyers saying the state agency no longer objects to districts using SafeGuard saliva tests after receiving confirmation from state public health officials that districts may use the tests for COVID-19 screening and surveillance.

The email also states the U.S. Department of Education has informed Pritzker's administration that school districts are allowed to purchase SafeGuard saliva tests using federal coronavirus grants.

As of Wednesday afternoon, a state school board spokeswoman did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

As of Wednesday, however, the Illinois Department of Public Health hasn't changed guidance that says the type of coronavirus surveillance testing offered by SafeGuard is "not recommended" for use in schools.

Earlier this month, Patch detailed emails between the head of Shield Illinois and top Pritzker administration officials regarding the use of saliva tests conducted by SafeGuard, which has contracts with nearly two dozen school districts to provide weekly saliva tests that determine if asymptomatic participants should be referred for diagnostic COVID-19 tests. At least three times, Shield Illinois lost bids for school contracts to SafeGuard, which offers a less-expensive saliva test.

The emails were sent as state public health officials recommended that school districts avoid using SafeGuard tests, and denied district requests for reimbursement from federal coronavirus relief funds.

New Trier School District Associate Superintendent Chris Johnson told Patch that it seemed to him the state was "taking steps and actions" to pressure districts to use Shield Illinois' saliva tests.

"The state is saying that you can't get federal reimbursement for [SafeGuard's] test through the state of Illinois, but you can get it through Shield," Johnson said. "It's the timing that seems very interesting to me, I'll say that."

In August, Gov. Pritzker said, "The State of Illinois looks forward to being [Shield's] biggest customer." Shield Illinois' funding model calls for local jurisdictions such as public health departments and school districts to pay for its saliva tests with federal coronavirus relief grants, according to confidential documents obtained by Patch.

Pritzker administration officials have not responded to questions about the timing of the state's stance on the type of coronavirus testing offered by SafeGuard and decisions to deny districts reimbursement through federal funds.

Zalewski said that he plans to keep pushing for passage of the amended bill, which aims to ensure local taxpayers aren't on the hook for a coronavirus mitigation efforts such as the SafeGuard test that are eligible for federal reimbursement.

SafeGuard owner Ed Campbell, a suburban virologist who launched the saliva testing company to help his kid's school get back to in-person learning, said he's delighted to hear about Zalewski's efforts and the state's policy change.

"School districts were always going to pay us. But it was really frustrating to see them get squeezed. It would have really been unfair if they weren't reimbursed. And I'm pleased to see it looks like all this will come to a reasonable conclusion," he said. "And it's thanks to [Patch] for shining a light on this."

For now, Campbell said he's focused on helping districts for the rest of the school year.

"None of the districts working with us have [backed out of contracts]. We're finishing out the school year," he said. "And should our services be needed next year, and I'm kind of hopeful that they're not, we will help the districts that would like help from us."

Mark Konkol, recipient of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for local reporting, wrote and produced the Peabody Award-winning series, "Time: The Kalief Browder Story." He was a producer, writer and narrator for the "Chicagoland" docu-series on CNN, and a consulting producer on the Showtime documentary, "16 Shots."

More from Mark Konkol:

• Got Nothing Nice To Say About Your Town? You Might Be A Jolietan
• Teen's Killing Inspires Political Lip Service We Hear Too Often
• CTU Still Playing Politics Over In-Person Learning Amid Pandemic
• Is Pritzker Steering School COVID-19 Testing Contracts To U of I?
• It's Time To Stop Picking The Scab On Loretto Hospital Vax Fiasco