Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and, in commemoration of our fight for racial justice and health equity, we are pleased to announce our Illinois State Advocacy Agenda and Action Center are now live. “Launching the AFC advocacy agenda on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is an acknowledgement of the disproportionate impact of HIV on Black communities and the history of resistance and leadership of Black people living with HIV in the ongoing battle for equitable policies, effective healthcare access and the elimination of stigma as together we get to zero,” says Kim L. Hunt, Vice President for Special Projects & Innovation, AFC Policy & Advocacy, and Executive Director of Pride Action Tank.
In Illinois, Black people make up 41% of new HIV diagnoses – almost twice as many as new diagnoses among white people. Black people only account for 12.5% of users of PrEP (AFC), an important tool in preventing the transmission of HIV.
“We want to be very intentional about our efforts - whether that is increasing funding to Black led organizations or increasing PrEP in Black communities - and that is what our advocacy agenda is going to do this year,” said Timothy S. Jackson, Senior Director of AFC Policy & Advocacy.
This year’s state legislative agenda is focused on five main policy priorities:
- Strengthening funding for HIV care and prevention
- Securing investments to prevent & end homelessness for Illinoisians living with HIV
- Lowering the cost of prescription drugs on Illinois families
- Addressing the impact of Illinois’ Opioid crisis
- Removing barriers to accessing HIV treatment & prevention medications
“One of the most important pieces for me and for AFC... is centering the people who are most impacted by our work and our policy & advocacy work," said Nadeen Israel, Senior Vice President, AFC Policy & Advocacy. The legislative agenda is created in partnership with and through the leadership of community organizations and coalitions across Ilinois.
“This moment is about more than policy – it's about honoring and amplifying the leadership, resilience, and needs of Black communities, ensuring that AIDS Foundation Chicago's solutions are not just responsive but rooted in justice and community-driven action," said Meg McElroy, Director of Special Projects, Getting to Zero Illinois.
Your support is critical to advance policy for people living with HIV and experiencing homelessness in Illinois. We encourage you to visit our Mobile Action Center and urge your elected officials to support our fight for racial and health equity. Advocacy Day 2025 will be Wednesday, February 26 in Springfield, and Chicago-area supporters are invited to attend a solidarity happy hour event at AFC’s offices on Tuesday, February 25 for pizza, refreshments, and community building.
