HIV funding

HIV advocates breathed a sigh of relief on October 13 when Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley released a 2011 city budget plan that preserves HIV funding and largely maintains city support for the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH).

The 2011 budget is the last one that Mayor Daley will present.  He announced earlier this year that he would step down after running the city for 21 years.  

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

Tell Illinois Governor Pat Quinn to include $18 million in new HIV funding in his fiscal year 2011 state budget.  Your voice is needed now to restore funding for programs that are being cut today and avert even more devastating cuts next fiscal year. 

Sign the letter to Gov. Pat Quinn asking him to fully fund the HIV sector in his budget proposal!

This year, Illinois salvaged the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) by cutting funding from other vital HIV state programs. This tactic will accelerate the state’s long-term HIV/AIDS crisis by weakening prevention and care programs that help to curb the epidemic.  An $18 million budget increase will protect all essential services—including HIV prevention, care, housing and ADAP—from crushing budget reductions.

AFC is happy to share the great news that Governor Quinn and the Illinois Department of Public Health recently finalized appointments to the Quality of Life Board, which will oversee over $1.4 million in grants funded by the Illinois HIV/AIDS Quality of Life scratch-off lottery game.  (Actually, one member had to drop out, but that position will hopefully be filled quickly.)  Keep your eyes peeled for an announce