The Trump administration recently canceled over $100 million in public health, STI and HIV prevention grant funding to Illinois as political retribution. AIDS Foundation Chicago calls upon our community to demand the Trump administration reinstate these funds. We are thankful to the Illinois Attorney General’s office for filing suit and standing up to Trump’s latest attack on the HIV sector and LGBTQ, Black, and Latine Illinoisians. We are also thankful to the Democratic members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation who have signed onto a letter to the Trump administration opposing the cuts.
The number of people newly diagnosed with HIV in Chicago is increasing. Now is not the time to cut HIV prevention and treatment funds. Cutting funding for prevention means people won’t get tested, won’t learn about or start PrEP, and won’t be able to protect themselves against HIV. It costs more to treat a person living with HIV than it does to prevent HIV – so we know these grant cancellations are not about saving money, despite what the administration may say.
Defunding HIV prevention, research, surveillance and basic public health does not impact all communities equally. It is a disinvestment in LGBTQ+, Black, and Latine communities, and a continuation of this administration’s racist, homophobic and transphobic agenda.
HIV and STIs, like all viruses, know no borders. Canceling public health grants for political retribution is ignorant and dangerous. Trump must be stopped – he is putting all our health at risk.
