Kankakee Times

As the state investigates illegitimate "pop-up" COVID-19 testing sites that have surfaced in Illinois, one lawmaker has urged residents to proceed with caution when going to get tested for coronavirus. 

State Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) warned people about scam sites and told them how to find a legitimate one.

"Be cautious of pop-up COVID-19 test sites! Check out these questions to ask yourself before visiting one of these sites and know you can always find legitimate tests at community-based and SHIELD testing sites," Joyce wrote in a Facebook post with a link to a listing of legitimate sites. 

Joyce shared a post from earlier this month written by the Illinois Attorney General's office.

"Our office has been receiving various questions on COVID testing sites across Illinois," the post stated, with a list of questions to consider if the site is not on a state-sponsored list or recommended by a primary care provider.

Those questions include which tests are being administered, who analyzes the results, if any out-of-pocket fees are charged, and who can you contact with any questions or concerns.

The Attorney General's Office also recommended people consider the kind of information the testing site is asking for and whether or not CDC guidelines for COVID-19, such as wearing masks or social distancing are being followed, when judging the legitimacy of a testing site. 

The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a list of community based testing sites that residents can check out before they seek testing. The list online also includes hours of operation and addresses for each testing location. 

According to NBC 5 Chicago, several so-called pop up testing companies are under investigation in Illinois. These companies include the O'Hare Clinical Lab and Northshore Clinical Laboratories, both of which are based in Chicago.