Woodstock driver's license facility closed over potential indirect coronavirus exposure

The Woodstock Secretary of State Driver’s License Facility closed Wednesday due to a potential indirect exposure to the coronavirus, however, the McHenry County Department of Health says they were not consulted about the closure.

The driver’s licence facility posted a notice Wednesday on their door saying:

“OUT OF ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, WE ARE CLOSING THIS FACILITY AS THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION INTO A POTENTIAL INDIRECT EXPOSURE TO THE CORONAVIRUS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE MCHENRY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

AT THIS TIME EVERYONE IS AT LOW RISK.

WE WILL REMAIN CLOSED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY.”

Groups of people came to the facility expecting to take a number and a seat, but instead left frustrated after reading the sign.

Secretary of State Press Secretary Dave Druker said later on Wednesday that potential risk to the virus is no longer a concern and the driver's license facility will re-open Thursday morning.

"We had some concerns. Someone who works at the facility may have had some indirect contact with somebody. Once removed from COVID-19, we're more comfortable now that it's a more distant thing. We're doing deep cleaning over the facility now," Druker said.

The McHenry County Department of Health later said after an investigation into the closure, it was determined that the risk of COVID-10 exposure is no different than that of being in the general public.

"We want our community to be cautious," Melissa Adamson, MCDH Public Health Administrator said in a statement. "If someone think that they may have been exposed to the virus, they should contact their primary care physician for the assessment."

Bev Borta, of Wonder Lake, came to the driver’s license facility to get a handicap placard and now she doesn't’t know where else to go, she said.

The notice on the door is the only way people are finding about the facility’s closure, she added.

Borta said that the driver’s license facility’s closure is one way the coronavirus is affecting everyday life.

“There are a lot of places taking these kinds of precautions,” she said.

But Borta said isn’t letting the coronavirus affect her everyday life. She said she will be flying to Phoenix on Sunday but will take measures as far as wiping down seats and surfaces.

Some nearby driver’s license facilities include: Lake Zurich Illinois Secretary of State Facility, located at 951 S Rand Rd, Lake Zurich, IL 60047, and Schaumburg Illinois Secretary of State Facility, located at 1227 E Golf Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60173.

• Eric R. Olson and Cassie Buchman contributed to this report