To realize the priorities and goals of the Getting to Zero Illinois (GTZ-IL) plan to end the HIV epidemic by 2030, AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) is proud to advocate and prioritize the following state legislative agenda in partnership with and through the leadership of community organizations and coalitions across Illinois. For more specific information about the legislation highlighted below, please review our completed 2023 Illinois State Legislative Agenda here.
HB1349/SB209: Strengthening and Protecting Illinois’ HIV Funding Infrastructure
(Representative Lakesia Collins, Senator Mike Simmons)
AFC is proud to advocate for an $8 million increase in state funding for HIV & sexually transmitted infections (STI) education, prevention, testing, and treatment and the PrEP4Illinois program in the FY2024 State Budget. AFC is also proud to advocate for the protection of funding for the Getting to Zero Illinois (GTZ-IL) initiative and the African American HIV/AIDS Response Fund (AAHARF).
HB2481/SB2241: Housing Funding Omnibus
(Representative Michelle Mussman, Senator Adriane Johnson)
Without question, housing is healthcare, especially to people living with or vulnerable to HIV. AFC and the Center for Housing and Health (CHH) are proud to work alongside community partners Housing Action Illinois, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and the Supportive Housing Providers Association (SHPA) to advocate for $78.9 million in investments to the housing funding infrastructure in the state’s FY2024 budget.
HB1570/SB122: Healthy Illinois for All
(Representative Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, Senator Omar Aquino)
AFC is pleased to support legislation that seeks to extend Medicaid-like eligibility to all low-income Illinois residents ages 19 through 41 with household incomes of up to 138% Federal Poverty Level ($17,236/year for an individual) regardless of their immigration status. In addition, AFC supports additional funding to cover Long Term Services and Supports (both facility-based care and Home and Community-Based Services) in the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) and Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) programs.
SB1912: Health Insurance Rate Review & Affordability
(Senator Laura Fine, Representative Bob Morgan)
No one should have to worry that they can’t afford the healthcare they need or have to choose between filling a prescription and paying rent. AFC supports legislation that seeks to make health insurance premiums more affordable by allowing the Illinois Department of Insurance to disqualify health insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, which is standard practice in 36 states and Washington, D.C.
HB2280/SB2427: Healthcare Provider Cultural Competency
(Representative Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, Senator Ram Villivalam)
Cultural humility and competency centers on being open to differences and prioritizes space for celebrating that which is most important to the other person. AFC is proud to support legislation that would require health care professionals with continuing education requirements to undergo cultural competency training relating to providing affirming care to people in the person’s preferred language, people with disabilities, people living with HIV, and people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
HB2/SB78: Overdose Prevention Sites Pilot
(Representative LaShawn Ford, Senator Sara Feigenholtz)
Overdose prevention sites have been shown to save lives, reduce the spread of infectious diseases, such as HIV and Hepatitis C, and link those with substance use disorders to behavioral and physical health care. AFC is proud to support legislation that would create a harm reduction services license for OPS pilot sites and connect folks to community support or other existing medical care, treatment, recovery programs and harm reduction services.
HB1286/SB126: Gender-Inclusive Multiple-Occupancy Restrooms
(Representative Katie Stuart, Senator Celina Villanueva)
AFC and Pride Action Tank are proud to support legislation that would allow but not require public and private entities to install gender-inclusive multiple-occupancy restrooms in their buildings if they choose to do so. Passing this measure would create inclusive spaces for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive communities while also allowing businesses to better serve their customers.
This list of priorities is by no means an exhaustive list and does not encompass all the policy work that AFC’s Policy & Advocacy team is currently doing on the state level. As the legislative session progresses, AFC will monitor and engage with emerging issues that arise when they align with our mission, vision, and values. We will also continue to support legislation that meaningfully addresses racial health equity and impacts people living with or vulnerable to HIV and people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
To contact your elected officials about these bills, you can use our Advocacy Day Action Center here: Nothing About Us Without Us! (p2a.co) You can join us in Springfield on April 19th for Advocacy Day by registering here: Register for Advocacy Day 2023! (p2a.co)
For more information, please contact AFC’s Director of Government Relations
Timothy Jackson via email at [email protected] or via phone at (256) 200-8878.
