SPRINGFIELD—More than a hundred AIDS advocates from throughout Illinois are gathered in Springfield for the 4th annual "Caring for Our Communities: HIV/AIDS in Illinois" event. During the two-day event, advocates are speaking with legislators about the impact of HIV/AIDS on Illinois residents, and the need for increased state funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, prevention programs, along with expanded health and social services for Illinoisans living with the disease.

After an afternoon of advocacy training, "Caring for Our Communities" will formally kick off with a reception Tuesday evening at the Renaissance Hotel.

Wednesday is Red Ribbon Lobby Day, when advocates will meet with legislators in the Capitol to discuss local AIDS issues and current levels of AIDS-related funding. At noon, advocates will present red "thank you" cards to Governor Blagojevich for proposed spending increases, and information urging Medicaid reform to expand coverage for HIV-positive people.

"We are thanking the governor for expanding programs and services designed to fight HIV/AIDS," said David Munar, AIDS Foundation of Chicago associate director. "We also need his help to make Medicaid available to more HIV-positive people, before the lack of medical care renders them disabled."

A key issue Illinois advocates will raise with state lawmakers is the need for increased funding of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). ADAP dispenses life-saving medications to low-income and uninsured residents who would otherwise have no access to them. Last year, 3,700 Illinoisans received medications through Illinois' ADAP - an 11 percent increase in the number of clients over the previous year.

Federal underfunding of AIDS preventive and treatment programs has exacerbated the epidemic, making it imperative for individual states to pick up the slack. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has taken the lead in this initiative. The governor's proposed budget would increase state funding for ADAP to $10 million, representing an increase of $3.1 million over the current budget. Advocates will also call on the governor and legislators to increase funding to at least $3 million for prevention programs in communities of color.

The spread of AIDS in Illinois mirrors nationwide trends, with communities of color hit especially hard by the disease. Although African Americans and Latinos make up just 27 percent of Illinois' population, they account for 70 percent of all reported AIDS cases. Since 1981, approximately 16,400 Illinoisans have died from AIDS. Currently, an estimated 35,000 people in the state are living with HIV/AIDS, making Illinois the sixth most affected state. Roughly 1,600 Illinois residents are infected with HIV each year.

Illinois advocates emphasize that a successful prevention campaign aimed at reducing new HIV infections will require a collaborative partnership of lawmakers, public health leaders and grassroots organizations.

"Caring for Our Communities" is organized by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and sponsored by Abbott Laboratories, GlaxoSmithKline, Hoffman LaRoche, and Pfizer.

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Since 1985, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) has led the fight against HIV/AIDS in metropolitan Chicago. AFC funds local HIV/AIDS care and prevention programs; campaigns for sound AIDS policy and increased public support for AIDS services; and, through its Service Providers Council, develops and implements strategies for coordinating AIDS care and prevention services.

"Caring for our Communities" 2004 (PDF)

Summary of HIV/AIDS-related bills (PDF)

2004 Policy Prorities (PDF)