CHICAGO, IL -  Eleven health centers in Illinois have been awarded grants under the Affordable Care Act to expand care.

The Illinois grants announced Wednesday total nearly $6.5 million. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius (seh-BEEL'-yuhs) announced more than $128 million in awards to health centers in 41 states.

The money allows a Chicago health center to see more than 2,500 new patients and hire an OB-GYN. Daniel Fulwiler is CEO of Centro de Salud Esperanza health center, and he says the funding makes it a "super exciting day for us."

Health center officials are pleased the grants came before the Supreme Court's decision on the health law, which is expected this month.

Illinois cities with grant awardees are Aurora, Bloomington, East St. Louis, Elgin, Galesburg, La Grange and Springfield.