For weeks the Governor has said his goal is for 10,000 Illinoisans to be tested every day. On Thursday we got one step closer to that goal after he announced new testing sites, including some in Peoria.

Monica Hendrickson with the Peoria City/County Health Department said testing is always going to be your best tool when looking at an outbreak like COVID-19.

Governor Pritzker announced expanded testing through Federally Qualified Health Centers. Locally that would be Heartland Health Services.

Pritzker said testing at Federally Qualified Health Centers across the state will be done in coordination with the Illinois Primary Healthcare Association.

"One is the key aspects of the recovery phase or when some of these restrictions would be lifted was when we have abilities to do increase testing and one of the great partners available are our federally qualified health centers that focus in neighborhoods and populations that are very vulnerable." said Hendrickson

This means through Heartland Health Services new testing sites will be located throughout the City of Peoria.

The location is still being considered by administrators of Heartland Health Services. State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth gave some potential locations.

1. The Peoria City/County Health Department 2116 N. Sheridan Road

2. Heartland Health Services 711 W John H Gwynn Jr Ave.

3. Heartland Health Services 2321 N. Wisconsin

Governor Pritzker said testing will be expanded to include anyone experiencing COVID like symptoms.

"Because you want to have enough of a viral load so that your test comes back more accurately otherwise we’re fearful of having those false positive or false negatives. " said Hendrickson

Hendrickson said when these sites are up and running we can expect the number of confirmed cases here to rise.

"Whenever you are able to increase your testing you’re increasing diagnosis. Understanding from a surveillance aspect how much of our population has been exposed has had symptoms or currently has symptoms so we know really where we sit and know that when we do return the likelihood of having either a secondary increase as well based on the numbers."

The state has partnered with Healthcare company Thermo Fisher to help improve testing capacities.

There is no set timeline as to when these sites would open in the River City.