Governor Maintains AIDS Funding,
Announces Corrections Commission

SPRINGFIELD, IL—Governor Rod Blagojevich called on state lawmakers to maintain state funding for key HIV/AIDS prevention and care programs as part of the fiscal 2006 budget proposal he announced yesterday. The governor’s proposal includes more than $3 million for HIV prevention services targeting communities of color and a total of $10 million in state funds for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program.

Last year, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) applauded Governor Blagojevich and the General Assembly for increasing state funding by $4.25 million for HIV prevention and care services. Yesterday’s budget announcement preserves this funding, which remains critically important for the thousands of HIV-positive individuals who lack insurance to pay for life-saving therapies and for communities disproportionately affected by the epidemic.

Blagojevich also announced the creation of a gubernatorial commission on strategies to reduce recidivism, which will be chaired by Rev. Jesse Jackson and Peoria County State’s Attorney Kevin Lyons. AFC applauds the creation of the group, which will provide policymakers a forum to develop model programs to help ex-prisoners, including people with HIV/AIDS, transition from incarceration back to community settings.

As highlighted in AFC’s 2005 Policy Priorities document, correctional facilities have alarming rates of HIV/AIDS that are not proportionate to the rate of HIV infection among the general population. Studies have shown that with improved discharge planning and community re-entry services, HIV-positive ex-prisoners are less likely to return to prison than their peers who do not receive specialized discharge planning and community re-entry services.

AFC will continue to monitor news from Springfield and keep Statewide Advocacy Network members informed of HIV-related developments.

Founded in 1985 by community activists and physicians, AFC is a local and national leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS. AFC collaborates with community organizations to develop and improve HIV/AIDS services; funds and coordinates prevention, care, and advocacy projects; and champions effective, compassionate HIV/AIDS policy.

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