By Colleen Connell, Executive Director of ACLU Illinois
The news of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death just weeks before the 2020 General Election solidified for many the role that Supreme Court of the United States will play – likely with an expanded conservative majority – in addressing numerous civil rights and civil liberties issues that affect our lives. ...
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By Bailey Williams
Currently, there are two FDA-approved pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drugs available for HIV-negative people looking to prevent HIV transmission. These include Truvada, a generic equivalent to Truvada from Teva Pharmaceuticals (just made available October 1), and Descovy. Each of these drugs typically require daily dosing - meaning individuals take one pill each day coupled...
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In the coming weeks, Illinois residents will vote on an amendment to the state Constitution that will transform for the better how the state taxes each resident's income. Fundamentally, this will make your taxes fairer.
Currently, all residents are taxed on a non-graduated or flat rate of 4.95%. For example, a person making $35,000 per year is taxed the same percentage of...
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By Timothy Jackson, AFC’s Director of Government Relations
What’s at stake is a question that many political pundits are opining and asking as the nation approaches the Nov. 3, 2020, general election. From the volatility of the economy and the civil unrest surrounding police brutality and racial injustice to the nation’s lack of coordinated response to the COVID-19...
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“I met Tim in 2014 at an HIV cure workshop in Chicago. He talked extensively of how he suffered from cancer and the bone marrow transplant he received – which treated the cancer and almost incidentally cured him of HIV. Tim was a trailblazer, plain and simple, and he taught me and the world how challenging it is to cure HIV. But there’s good news – with powerful HIV medications...
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By Gary B. Beringer,
Dr. P. H.
Co-Chair, Policy & Advocacy Committee, AFC Board of Directors
I am an epidemiologist. Today, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my profession now is understood by many people who inquire about it. This is the backstory of an important occurrence in my rehabilitation from a stroke.
In October 2003, I had the first of my four strokes over...
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By Sacha I. Urban
Content warning: This piece includes conversations about depression, sexual assault and suicide.
Tyshon Shepard is a proud father of 3 boys. He spends his days taking care of his 2 younger sons, aged 1 and 2. His sons have given him purpose, leading him to set a goal of starting a business he can one day pass on to his sons.
“My kids...
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By Nilah Foster
Even far far away
from home I still
am turning my head
at all times
double checking corners
I’ve already swept
I am convinced my
dad knows a third
of the city-
Or my moms side will spot
me coincidentally
who will my face be familiar to?
I am too paranoid
to be outside
with her...
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By Bailey Williams
When the new coronavirus (COVID-19) sent most AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) staff home to work remotely, many members of our finance and contracts team continued to come to the office. A lot of the work this team does cannot be done remotely. Though this work often happens behind the scenes, it is essential to the many services AFC provides to help people living with HIV...
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By Bailey Williams
I spent most mornings in the summer of 2016 running before work. I’d run a neighborhood route, often in the streets when cars were few, the sun was rising, and nothing but birds and insects could be heard. I was in the best shape of my life and had finally gotten down to easily running 7-minute miles. When the annual AIDS Run & Walk Chicago came around...
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