CHICAGO (October 21, 2009)—Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley proposed today a 12 percent reduction in city-funded public health services in Chicago’s 2010 budget. While HIV programs were largely spared, the Mayor’s plan recommends a 4 percent funding reduction for HIV services.

“Communities under siege because of the recession need public health services now more than ever,” said David Ernesto Munar, vice president of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC). “Without a sustained HIV and public health investment, more low-income Chicagoans will acquire preventable conditions that will only escalate their housing, support service, and medical needs.”

 

 

The Daley Administration proposal reduces HIV/AIDS spending from $4.47 million to $4.30 million, a $175,000 or 4 percent cut. City HIV/AIDS funding supports grant awards to community-based organizations for HIV-related housing, education, and prevention services, including access to condoms and sterile syringes. The overall proposed budget averts massive staff and service cuts by tapping reserve funds and reducing expenses.

Daley’s proposal would reduce overall funding for the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) by 12.3 percent, from $37.8 million to $33.2 million. This level of reduced spending reflects the elimination of 19 staff positions. CDPH administers the city’s HIV programs, including grants for community services.

AFC applauds efforts by City Hall to limit funding reductions for HIV services in a very difficult budget year and urges Mayor Daley and City Council to restore Chicago’s HIV and public health budgets.

The Chicago City Council Budget Committee will hold a hearing on the proposed CDPH budget on the morning of Thursday, November 2, at 121 N. LaSalle, Room 200, Chicago. A full City Council public budget hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18. The new budget year begins on January 1, 2010.

Stay tuned to AFC’s Statewide Advocacy Network and AIDS Connect for breaking news about Chicago’s budget and other important HIV/AIDS news.

View the proposed budget.

Detailed agency budget (CDPH begins on page 146 of the PDF).