AIDS Foundation of Chicago Denounces Governor's Veto of HIV Prevention Funding

Illinois Senate Vote Fails to Override Veto

SPRINGFIELD - Despite an aggressive lobbying effort by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) and its constituent and legislative allies, the Illinois Senate failed yesterday to override the governor's veto of $2.25 million for HIV prevention services in communities of color.

"This decision by the governor and by the Illinois Senate is nothing short of a tragedy," said Mark Ishaug, AFC executive director. "Why is the state retreating on HIV/AIDS prevention when nearly 2 in 3 new HIV cases occur among people of color?"

AFC has lobbied for inclusion of the HIV prevention appropriation in the state's fiscal year 2003 budget since February, when Gov. George Ryan first recommended zeroing the account as part of his budget proposal. And during AFC's annual lobby day in April, more than 70 AIDS advocates from across the state met in the State Capitol to urge lawmakers to preserve the program.

Although Gov. Ryan again called for the program's elimination in his Memorial Day budget proposal, members of the Illinois General Assembly approved a budget bill on June1 that incorporated the funding. The governor's veto included the $2.25 million cut for HIV prevention services, as well as the elimination of more than 200 other funding initiatives that the administration said were needed to balance the budget.

The General Assembly and the governor first created the communities of color HIV prevention appropriation in fiscal year 2002 in response to the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on racial and ethnic minority communities. The funding supported 18 organizations serving communities of color across Chicago and Cook, Kane, Madison, Peoria, St. Clair, Will, and Winnebago counties. Without renewed funding, thousands of people at high risk for HIV infection will not receive education and support that could save their lives.

Each year, approximately 1,500 people in Illinois become newly infected with HIV. Many of these cases could be averted by targeted HIV prevention interventions.