General Assembly Overtime Session
Yields Increases in HIV/AIDS Funding

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Eight weeks after the deadline to set the fiscal year 2005 budget, the Illinois legislature passed and Governor Rod Blagojevich approved a $43 billion state budget, which includes an additional $4.25 million in funding for critical HIV prevention and care services. These funds are desperately needed to protect the health of people living with and at risk for HIV, and will ensure that vital programs continue.

“By increasing funding for HIV/AIDS services, Illinois’ leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to the fight against AIDS.” said AFC’s Executive Director Mark Ishaug. “The increases are a tremendous victory for the AIDS community in a budget year when many health and social service programs received funding cuts.”

The $4.25 million increase represents a combined $3.1 million for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and $1.15 million for HIV prevention programs in communities of color. With these increases, Illinois’ ADAP will be able to serve the growing number of uninsured people who need assistance obtaining HIV/AIDS-related medication and expand the program to include access to other medically necessary classes of drugs, including mental health therapies.

Additionally, the state will expand and enhance community-based HIV prevention education programs among populations hardest hit by the epidemic. In 2002, 70% of reported AIDS cases in Illinois were among people of color.

###

Established in 1985 to provide central leadership in the fight against the epidemic, AFC promotes sound HIV/AIDS public policy, funds HIV/AIDS prevention and care projects, and through its Service Providers Council, helps to coordinate the delivery of essential HIV/AIDS services.

State legislative wrap-up