2011 state budget

This week, the Illinois General Assembly sent Governor Pat Quinn a state budget bill (HB 859) that gives him unprecedented ability to fund - or not fund - state programs in fiscal year 2011. The ball is in the governor's court.

HB 859 gives Governor Quinn sole authority to allocate funding to lifesaving HIV programs such as the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), HIV prevention programs, and housing and care services.  Though the Governor will have large pots of funding to allocate among various priorities, it  is painfully clear that the need far outpaces available funding. 

On May 21, a state public health advisory panel recommended that Illinois immediately institute a waiting list for ADAP because available funding was insufficient to maintain the program in the face of extraordinary growth.  HIV advocates, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC), and legislative allies urge Quinn to provide $9.68 million in additional funding to maintain ADAP, as well as $7.4 million to restore previous cuts to HIV prevention, housing, and care programs.

Facing an historic budget crisis that could destabilize HIV treatment access for more than 4,000 low-income Illinoisans with HIV/AIDS, a state advisory panel voted on May 21 to urge Illinois to immediately close the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) to new applicants and begin a waiting list.  The recommendation is now under review by state officials. 

“Because the program is deeply underfunded, Illinois must take immediate steps to preserve services for those who rely on ADAP for their life-saving care,” said David Ernesto Munar, vice president of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC), and a member of the ADAP Medical Issues Advisory Board, which made the recommendation. “The program faces total fiscal collapse unless immediate actions are taken.” 

TAKE ACTION NOW!

via the State Journal-Register

Since being diagnosed with HIV 12 years ago, Chicago resident Arick Buckles has relied on medication from the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program to keep him healthy.

ADAP provides low-income people suffering from the disease with access to essential medications. The program, which is run by the Illinois Department of Public Health, serves more than 4,000 people each month.

Buckles, who lost his job as a peer counselor in late March, said he needs the program now more than ever. But Illinois’ budget woes have forced organizations such as ADAP to cut back their services for people suffering with HIV/AIDS.

The state legislature still does not have a responsible budget in place, and the May 31st deadline is fast approaching. Please join the AIDS Foundation of Chicago for our next Budget 911 call, this Friday, May 14th from 1:00-2:00pm and learn what kind next year’s budget might look like, how it will affect HIV/AIDS programs, and vital actions you should take to push for fiscal responsibility. Please RSVP to bcooper@aidschicago.org and join us for this important call.

Budget 911 Call
Friday, May 14th
1:00 – 2:00 PM
1-866-206-0240
Passcode: 437543#
RSVP: bcooper@aidschicago.org