SPRINGFIELD, IL —In a victory for the fight against HIV/AIDS, the Illinois General Assembly appropriated an additional $5.5 million for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention services for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2006. The state’s $56 billion budget for FY07 includes an additional $2.5 million for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which provides HIV/AIDS medications to low-income Illinoisans with HIV, and a new $3 million appropriation to establish the African American HIV/AIDS Response Fund.

“The AIDS Foundation of Chicago applauds Governor Blagojevich and the members of the General Assembly for taking bold steps in the fight against AIDS,” said Mark Ishaug, AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) executive director. “With these increases, Illinois will provide life-saving medications to thousands of state residents who need them and help slow the spread of HIV in Black communities where the HIV crisis is most acute.”

Several lawmakers—including State Senators Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) and Carol Ronen (D-Chicago) and State Representatives Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), Connie Howard (D-Chicago), Larry McKeon (D-Chicago), Harry Osterman (D-Chicago), and others—championed efforts to secure the AIDS funding increases.

ADAP is slated to receive a total of $12.6 million in state funding next fiscal year, up from $10.1 million in FY 2006. Thanks to a provision sponsored by Rep. McKeon, the ADAP budget will include up to $250,000 for viral hepatitis treatments, an emerging health concern for people living with HIV/AIDS.

The budget also provides $3 million for the new African American HIV/AIDS Response Fund sponsored by State Rep. Howard and State Sen. Lightford. Appropriations will be used for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services and to reduce the disparities between African Americans and other groups in HIV/AIDS infections. Although African Americans represent 15% of the state’s population, they accounted for 54% of the state’s AIDS cases in 2004.

“State leaders have demonstrated a commitment to fighting AIDS in passing these critically important funding increases,” said AFC’s State Affairs Director John Peller.

The budget also continues a $2 million appropriation to provide HIV/AIDS services for prisoners and ex-prisoners, $3.15 million for HIV prevention services in communities of color, and $400,000 for the HIV/AIDS Policy and Research Institute at Chicago State University. In housing, a new $4.2 million appropriation will provide supportive services to low-income residents, including people with HIV/AIDS. In addition, the budget provides $4.9 million in new funding for methamphetamine prevention and treatment services.