Jessica Hockett, PhD
On 16 July 2026, I sent the following letter as an email to Illinois State Senator Chapin Rose (R–51) and State Representatives Jeff Keicher (R–70), Norine K. Hammond (R–94), and Adam M. Niemerg (R–102):
Subject: Ongoing concerns and unanswered questions regarding U of I’s saliva testing program and quarantine practices
Dear Senator Rose and Representatives Keicher, Hammond, and Niemerg:
I am writing to make you aware of a page I recently assembled concerning the University of Illinois’ SHIELD testing program and Shield T3: https://woodhouse76.com/university-of-illinois-shield/
You may recall when, in March 2022, then-Representative Deanne Mazzochi questioned University President Tim Killeen about SHIELD before the House Appropriations–Higher Education Committee. She and five other legislators (including Rep Keicher and Hammond) subsequently sent President Killeen a detailed letter concerning the collection, retention, ownership, and potential use of saliva samples and associated data.
Senator Rose and Representative Niemerg later joined Representative Mazzochi in meeting with President Killeen and other University officials on 14 September 2022. The legislators subsequently received some of the requested documents, including consent forms, a variant-identification data directory, information about sequencing samples sent to the Illinois Department of Public Health, and related disclosures. University officials stated that they were still waiting for information from Shield T3 and would provide it when received.
As far as I have been able to determine, there is no public record showing whether that information was ever provided or whether the legislators’ underlying questions were resolved.
Among the many unanswered questions are:
- What became of the saliva samples and associated data collected through SHIELD?
- Which entity ultimately retained, controlled, or obtained access to them?
- Were samples or associated data used for research, sequencing, commercial development, or purposes beyond the testing to which individuals ostensibly consented?
- Were the documents legislators received ever made public? If not, when will they be released?
- Did the legislators receive the outstanding information requested from Shield T3?
- What became of Shield T3, its assets, and the data or biological materials associated with its operations?
- Did the University establish that samples used in developing and validating the test were obtained through voluntary, informed consent?
These questions remain important, irrespective of one’s perspective on the COVID-19 event.
Millions of tests were administered to students, employees, children, and other Illinois residents, many of whom submitted samples as a condition of attending school, participating in activities, or maintaining employment. The passage of time does not diminish the public’s interest in knowing what happened to those samples and data, what Shield T3 did with them, and whether the relevant legal, ethical, and regulatory requirements were followed.
It also appears U of I failed to follow state law regarding quarantine and isolation. I would like to see a investigation into this matter, which I explained here in August 2022: https://woodhouse76.com/2022/08/06/above-the-law-the-university-of-illinois-knew-but-didnt-follow-state-law-on-isolation-quarantine-why/
Finally, I would appreciate knowing whether any of you received additional documents or substantive answers after the September 2022 meeting and subsequent correspondence. Copies of any responsive records, or information about later actions taken, would also be appreciated.
Thank you for your attention. I look forward to your responses.
Sincerely,
Jessica Hockett, PhD
Rep Kescher replied on 17 July 2025:
- “Thank you for reaching out. I would defer to those who were more closely involved with this issue at the time.”
Additional replies will be posted here.
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