SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (IRN) — The first week of testing saliva of Illinois state Senators, their staff, and any members of the media complying with the protocol to get certain access cost taxpayers nearly $21,000.

The Illinois Senate President’s office said last week 698 tests were performed with a cost of $30 per test.

Members of the media were originally told to pay the bill for their tests before the Senate retracted that and put it on the public tab.