AIDS Foundation of Chicago Establishes the Illinois Alliance for Sound AIDS Policy (IL ASAP)

This past month, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) selected 17 AIDS advocates from across the state to form the Illinois Alliance for Sound AIDS Policy (IL ASAP). The goal of the project is to develop, nurture, and support statewide policy and advocacy leaders, to build stronger ties with stakeholders, increase involvement in HIV/AIDS activities, and to encourage ongoing communication with HIV/AIDS allies, elected officials, and the media.

Through this unique opportunity, IL ASAP members will leverage their skills and expertise to speak boldly and powerfully on behalf of people living with, and at risk for HIV/AIDS, in order to advance sound HIV/AIDS policy and programs. The final 17 members represent areas ranging from metropolitan Chicago and the surrounding suburban areas, downstate, and up through northwestern Illinois.

“This is a dynamic group of individuals who are taking the lead and fighting for the interests of our state’s HIV/AIDS community,” said AFC Policy Associate Pete Subkoviak, who coordinates IL ASAP. “In the short time since IL ASAP was created, I have been extremely impressed with what its members have accomplished, and expect great things from them in the future.”

Since its recent formation in early November, two members of IL ASAP’s “inaugural class” have already made headlines. Transgender and women’s health advocate Helena Bushong was believed to be the first-ever transgendered person to attend a White House National Strategy meeting on “Women and HIV/AIDS” held on Tuesday, December 8.  Bushong was invited by Jeff Crowley, Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy at the White House, to participate in the meeting based on a powerful testimony that she gave during a Chicago focus group with Crowley in November.

But Ms. Bushong isn’t the only IL ASAP member in the news. Viewers who tuned into CBS-2 evening news on Monday, December 7 may have caught the segment on escalating HIV infection rates amongst African-American women, featuring IL ASAP member Patricia Johnson. In Chicago, health figures show HIV infection rates are 15 times higher for African-American women, as compared to white women. Johnson, who also works as an HIV counselor at the Lawndale Christian Health Center, spoke about how the increase in infection amongst African-American women is a travesty and an “annihilation of our women.”

Throughout 2010, IL ASAP plans to engage key legislators and elected officials on both the state and federal levels to lobby for HIV/AIDS rights.

In March, AFC holds its annual Lobby Days event in Springfield, where AFC’s statewide advocacy network gathers to lobby local elected officials at the Capitol Building. In advance of Lobby Days, IL ASAP members will take part in a two-day, in-person training session to enhance their advocacy and media skills.

In April, participants will put their skills to work at AIDS Watch in Washington D.C.  Organized by the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), AIDS Watch is the largest constituent-based federal HIV/AIDS advocacy and education event in the U.S. As part of their attendance, IL ASAP advocates will have the opportunity to lobby Congress and their staff about HIV/AIDS issues.

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago created IL ASAP to develop and enhance leadership skills and knowledge of the HIV/AIDS community in Illinois, increase the number of people involved in HIV advocacy, and build stronger bonds within and between every region of the state.
For more information about IL ASAP, please visit aidschicago.org/advocacy.