COVID-19 Pop-Up Test Company Won't Reopen Soon: Attorney General

Eric DeGrechie
Updated ·3 min read

ROLLING MEADOWS, IL — A local pop-up COVID-19 testing company with sites across the United States will not reopen in Illinois for the "foreseeable future." Attorney General Kwame Raoul said Thursday the Rolling Meadows-based Center for COVID Control voluntarily suspended operations following complaints from customers to his office.

"Complaints have ranged from testing results being delayed or not received at all, to results being provided to individuals who were never administered a test, to tests being stored improperly, and staff incorrectly using PPE and face masks," Raoul said.

CCC, a privately held Illinois-based operator of COVID testing center sites, was established in 2020, according to its website, "to address a critical need for COVID-19 testing and has gained recognition as one of the largest testing center operators in the country." CCC markets and manages more than 300 test collection sites — both brick-and-mortar and drive-thru locations — across the U.S. It employs more than 3,000 people.

Center for COVID Control is based at 1685 Winnetka Circle in Rolling Meadows, former site of a Weber Grill restaurant. (Google Maps)
Center for COVID Control is based at 1685 Winnetka Circle in Rolling Meadows, former site of a Weber Grill restaurant. (Google Maps)

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Wednesday filed a lawsuit in Hennepin County against CCC and its associated lab, Doctors Clinical Laboratory, Inc. The lawsuit said the two Illinois-based companies failed to deliver COVID-19 test results or gave test results that were falsified or inaccurate, according to Ellison's office.

The lawsuit charges the companies with false advertising, deceptive trading practices, and violation of the state consumer fraud active. It also claims Doctors Clinical Laboratory billed the federal government over $113 million for COVID-19 tests provided to allegedly-uninsured patients across the nation, including Minnesota consumers.

"[I'm] deeply concerned. The attorney general is on it. The federal government has been on this case as well." Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Thursday regarding the lawsuit. "There are fly-by-night operations, and we need to make sure we keep those away from people looking for legitimate tests. If we can close them down, we will."

Raoul said his office contacted company officials and demanded that CCC immediately stop engaging in any fraudulent or deceptive conduct, particularly with respect to the delivery of testing results or billing. In addition to evaluating complaints from residents, Raoul said attorneys from the Consumer Fraud Division interviewed former employees of the CCC.

“I am pleased with this result and would like to thank the residents who noticed something awry and contacted my office," Raoul said. "I also appreciate the former employee whistleblowers who came forward to report practices that compromised tests."

CCC, which had temporarily closed operations last week, had planned to reopen Saturday. In a statement, the company said it "remains committed to providing the highest level of customer service and diagnostic quality and will not resume collection of patient samples until staffing resources permit CCC to operate at full capacity."

CCC said it is using this operational pause to train additional staff on sample collection and handling, customer service and communications best practices, as well as compliance with regulatory guidelines. The company said it will provide an update on reopening plans when appropriate.

Pop-up COVID-19 testing locations are not regulated by a government agency. Raoul recommends that people first try to utilize a state-sponsored testing site if possible. Individuals can contact their health care providers for testing or testing center recommendations. People can also find a testing location by visiting the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website, the Cook County Department of Health’s website and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ website.

Raoul urged Illinoisans to choose a different testing site if they visit one where something does not seem right. He encouraged residents to file a complaint on the Attorney General’s website if they believe they have been the victim of fraud, were asked to pay out-of-pocket or later received a bill for testing services.

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This article originally appeared on the Arlington Heights Patch