Vice President of Policy

John oversees the AIDS Foundation of Chicago's advocacy and policy work at the city, state and national levels.

His areas of focus include the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and ensuring that new federal and state health care systems meet the health care needs of people with HIV; Medicaid policy; federal and state budget and appropriations; syringe exchange and harm reduction policy; and the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).

From 2005 to 2011, when he was promoted to his current position, John was AFC's state lobbyist, working in Springfield to enact sound HIV/AIDS public policy, defend the rights of people with HIV/AIDS, and advocate for increased services and prevention for people living and at risk for HIV/AIDS.

At the state level, one of John's proudest accomplishments is leading a coalition that successfully advocated for legislation allowing expedited partner therapy, a CDC-recommended sexually transmitted infection treatment method. John also led a coalition that pushed passage of a law permitting wider prescription of naloxone, which can be administered in an emergency to reverse a drug overdose. 

Before coming to AFC, John worked at the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, National Association of State Medicaid Directors, and American Public Human Services Association.  He has a Bachelor’s degree from the Johns Hopkins University and a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Chicago.  John was born and raised in New York City, and lives in Chicago with his partner, David Jablonowski.

John has trained with Team to End AIDS since 2003, completing five marathons, two half marathons and several triathlons with the program.