SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– South Suburban College has been chosen as a COVID-19 testing site by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). Illinois Governor JB Pritzker visited the site today along with South Suburban College Chairman Frank M. Zuccarelli and President Lynette D. Stokes, Ed.D., on its opening day of testing. The testing tents were set up near the college’s Fitness Center, utilizing the spacious parking lot and secluded roadways for drive-thru testing.
“I was glad to visit our newly-relocated south suburban state testing site this morning in South Holland, and I thank the Illinois National Guard and South Suburban College for standing it up so quickly,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Widespread testing is central to our strategy to beating this virus and restoring our state, so if you’re experiencing any symptoms or are more at-risk, please visit a site near you. It’s on all of us to protect our communities.”
The site will be open daily from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and testing is available to anyone with COVID-19 concerns. The drive-thru route will be limited to south side of campus near the athletic fields. Employees, students and visitors will access the Main Campus through 158th Street, and north lots and entrances.
“South Suburban College looks forward to providing a convenient, safe testing resource to our community,” said Chairman Zuccarelli. “As a community college, our mission of service to the community extends far beyond the classroom and we have always taken pride in stepping up to do our part when we are needed.”
Phase 3 of Restore Illinois is expected to bring approximately 700,000 Illinoisans back to the workplace, and with that comes the restoration of additional state services. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has resumed vehicle emission testing at the Markham Community Based Testing Site, prompting the COVID-19 testing relocation to SSC.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be able to provide this critical support in collaboration with IEMA and the National Guard,” added Dr. Stokes, President of SSC. “The testing will pose no disruptions to our community on campus. Our institution has also made an outstanding pivot to a virtual classroom model for our residents and college students that may be displaced this summer and fall.”
All individuals with symptoms are encouraged to seek testing at these Community Based Testing Sites. Symptoms include but are not limited to fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell. Additional accommodations have been made for the following individuals with or without COVID-like symptoms:
- Healthcare workers
- First Responders
- Employees of Correctional Facilities
- Individuals exposed to confirmed COVID-19 patients
- Employees that support Critical Infrastructure (grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, gas stations, public utilities, factories, childcare and sanitation)
- All local and state government employees
- Individuals with compromised immune systems, chronic medical conditions
SSC is a community college located in South Holland, Illinois serving 21 communities including parts of the Chicago Southland and northwest Indiana. SSC provides a variety of support services and leadership opportunities to its students in addition to a wide range of affordable academic programs. Visit ssc.edu or email registration&records@ssc.edu for more information.
