Illinois State University has partnered with SHIELD Illinois to provide saliva-based COVID-19 tests for ISU employees, retirees, and their dependents, free of charge beginning June 1. Minors must be accompanied during testing. During the summer, undergraduate and graduate students, including student employees, must test through Student Health Services.
What is SHIELD Illinois?
SHIELD Illinois is a University of Illinois program whose goal is to share the innovative, saliva-based COVID-19 PCR test developed at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with the rest of the state. The process requires individuals to simply deposit a small amount of saliva in a vial, which usually takes less than five minutes, and provides results within 24 hours of samples reaching a SHIELD Illinois lab.
Create your SHIELD Illinois Portal Account
In order to get tested, individuals should create an account on the SHIELD Illinois portal and schedule their test appointment. Visit the URL below, select “Sign up for an account,” and then enter the Agency Code. Follow the instructions to set up your account.
Website: https://shieldillinoisportal.pointnclick.com/
Agency Code: b8vhl6wx-emp
Testing Site and Hours
Testing is provided beginning June 1 in the temporary building in the parking lot between Watterson Towers and Stevenson Hall. Testing hours will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Testing Instructions
- Schedule an appointment through the portal, being sure to select “ISU Employee” as the location.
- Bring a photo ID and the QR code provided when you schedule your appointment to the testing site.
- Individuals should not eat, drink (including water), chew gum, smoke, or use tobacco products within 60 minutes of providing a saliva sample. Doing any of these things within 60 minutes of providing a sample could produce an inconclusive result and require the individual to re-test.
- Test results will be posted in the patient portal after the lab results are completed. Patients will also receive a text message when the results are available in the portal.
Vaccination Status
Individuals who are fully vaccinated (two weeks past the final dose of the vaccine) should not undergo testing unless they are symptomatic. If fully vaccinated and experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, employees, retirees, and their dependents should contact their health care provider for guidance.
Testing of Dependents
Dependents of ISU employees and retirees may test at the facility if they are registered through the “Dependents” section of the SHIELD Portal.
