On Friday, Feb. 1, Governor JB Pritzker expressed his administration’s commitment to ending the HIV epidemic by signing Executive Order 2019-08 in Rockford. We share our deepest gratitude for Gov. JB Pritzker’s commitment to signing an Executive Order to strengthen investment in HIV services and programs, and to use viral load metrics to ensure Illinoisians living with HIV are receiving quality support in their health care.

“While 1,375 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2017 alone and unacceptable health disparities in communities of color continue, over the past few years we’ve seen HIV prevention funding dry up, HIV testing rates go down, and HIV prevention and treatment agencies lay off staff,” said Gov. Pritzker.

“Now is not the time to back down from this fight. Now is the time to double down. This executive order defines the state’s commitment to the HIV epidemic and serves as a first step in ensuring the state is a good partner in this fight.”

During the period when there was no state budget under previous governor Bruce Rauner’s administration, only $200,000 was allocated to the African American HIV/AIDS Response Act at a time when the Black community is facing a public health emergency. We saw extensive decreases in funding to state programs and community-based clinics that support services for people living with HIV.

Today marks a momentous dedication from the state of Illinois to support communities of color, and to support HIV organizations’ statewide mission to end new HIV transmissions by 2030. 

“We are proud to see the state of Illinois taking critical steps to end the HIV epidemic,” said John Peller, President/CEO of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. “With a partner like Gov. Pritzker in the governor’s office, Illinois can eliminate health disparities and improve health outcomes for people living with HIV by holding Medicaid accountable for tracking and reporting viral suppression.”
 

Next steps:

Read the full press release here.

Join us in thanking Gov. Pritzker’s commitment to helping us end the HIV epidemic in Illinois!