ACTION=LIFE: 2004 HIV/AIDS Policy Priorities

In the early days of the epidemic, the slogan SILENCE=DEATH galvanized a new activist movement of people affected by HIV/AIDS. They were determined to raise public awareness, spur government action, and make a difference in the lives of thousands of individuals affected by a mysterious and deadly new disease. In ACTION = LIFE, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) calls on government officials, community leaders, and people affected by the epidemic to continue to press forward in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

ACTION = LIFE outlines a package of federal, state, and local policy initiatives and budget priorities designed to expand AIDS prevention education and ensure access to high-quality AIDS care where it is most needed. We also provide information about our grassroots advocacy efforts and encourage everyone to join us.

Following the examples of courageous activists fighting AIDS over the past 23 years, we must continue to counter complacency with urgency, ignorance with knowledge, and silence with action.

Acknowledgements
The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) thanks the thousands of Illinoisans in our Statewide Advocacy Network and the hundreds of lawmakers and community partners who work closely with us to advance sound government responses to the AIDS crisis.

Special thanks to AFC's Policy/Advocacy Committee, co-chaired by Charles Clifton, executive director of Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN), and Ann Fisher, executive director of the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago (ALCC), for informing AFC's public policy agenda.

AFC is Illinois' principal advocate for people living with and at risk for HIV disease. 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.

The following AFC staff contributed to the development of this report:
Mark Ishaug, Executive Director
David Ernesto Munar, Associate Director-Policy & Comm.
Karen A. Reitan, State Affairs Director
Sara Schmitt, Advocacy Coordinator

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Introduction

Federal Priorities

Statewide Priorities

Community Priorities

HIV/AIDS in Illinois