Tinley Park Approves Two More COVID-19 Testing Facilities

TINLEY PARK, IL — The Village of Tinley Park Board of Trustees unanimously voted to approve two COVID-19 testing site permits in the village at Tuesday evening's special board meeting.

The board approved a temporary use permit for a COVID-19 testing facility for AlSham Enterprises, LLC (Hematogenix), to be located at 8150 185th St. They also approved of a second site for petitioner Rocket Testing, who will be located in the parking lot adjacent to 7711 159th St.

Hematogenix is a laboratory business that has been operating prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The lab began analyzing COVID-19 tests soon after the start of the pandemic, but later added their own testing on site to give faster results. The location has two drive-thru testing lanes that have been in use at the location for three months. There is room for approximately 12-13 cars that may be lined-up in the parking lot to wait for testing, and this facility is appointment only.

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Rocket Testing is looking to operate on the west side of its 159th Street location. The drive-thru testing site features one lane for testing, and 10-11 stacking spaces in the parking lot, according to the village. Rocket Testing has 12 other temporary Chicagoland area sites, and does not plan to use the interior of the building. The testing group conducts approximately 12 tests per hour, and the Tinley Park location is strictly a rapid-testing site, that is appointment only.

The village can revoke the temporary permits of both facilities if any issues were to arise, according to the memo. Biohazard waste is regularly disposed of by private companies for both locations, according to their petitioners.

At a Dec. 15, 2020 board meeting, a text amendment to the zoning ordinance was approved that allows “Emergency and Disaster Related” temporary uses. It was created due to the need/demand for COVID-19 testing, but also gives room for other uses, if needed in an emergency. Village staff review all temporary uses for code compliance and public safety, then makes a recommendation to the village board.

For more information and to see layout plans for the site, visit the Village of Tinley Park website, here

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