With cases surging as many are coming off of holiday celebrations and family gatherings, a lot of us are looking for COVID tests. Low-threshold community testing locations are listed below (if you are U of I affiliated, CRCE is your only campus testing option until January 9th). They are free and you don’t need an appointment*. Each have a pre-step that you should do before you go to make your life easier. C-U Public Health District has more info on testing sites beyond these. Do not go to healthcare facilities (CARLE, OSF, Christie, Promise Healthcare) for testing unless you are symptomatic, have a high-risk exposure, or are testing before a procedure. They do not have the capacity for that.
Feel free to share your testing tips and experiences in the comments: Wait times, how long results took, where you’ve had a smooth process, etc.
Marketplace Mall, 2000 N. Neil Street, Champaign
These hours have expanded indefinitely to meet demand.
December 27-31, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Beginning January 3rd, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Register first
Shield CU (5 years old and up)
Parkland College Building E, Champaign
Monday, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Closed December 31st and January 1st
Campus Recreation Center East (CRCE), 1102 Gregory Drive, Urbana
Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday 1 to 4 p.m.
Wednesday 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Closed between 11:30 a.m. and noon
Download the Safer Community App prior to testing
Shield Illinois (5 years old and up), Stephens Family YMCA, 2501 Fields S Dr., Champaign, North Pavillion
Monday through Friday, 6 to 8 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.
Closed December 31st
*Walk-ins are accepted, but I would make an appointment, especially with so much demand.
**For all Shield testing, no eating, drinking, tooth brushing, mouth washing, gum chewing, or tobacco use for one hour before your test.
Top photo by Jessica Hammie.