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State Representative Lamont Robinson tackles Youth and PrEP in first bill passed out of IL House

April 10, 2019

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) congratulates State Representative Lamont Robinson (D-Chicago) on successfully passing HB 2665 (the Youth PrEP bill) out of the Illinois House.  AFC thanks the House members who supported this bill and especially Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago). HB 2665 would align Illinois law with federal guidance on a minor’s ability to access...
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“Setting the Pace: remarks from President/CEO John Peller at 2018 annual meeting

April 9, 2019

AFC’s 2018 Annual Report: Setting the Pace Review photos from the event  Hello and good evening! Thank you, Anna, for kicking our party off tonight and for leading AFC’s Board to achieve great things in 2018. I’m so grateful for the leadership and support you have offered me and AFC this past year.  In 2018, we kicked off a great race toward an...
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IL expands Medicaid coverage for trans and gender-nonconforming residents

April 5, 2019

Today, Gov. Pritzker fulfilled a campaign promise and announced that Illinois Medicaid will cover gender-affirming health care services for transgender and gender-nonconforming people!  Read the official statement here. For many years, Illinois Medicaid had likely violated the state’s own Human Rights Act by banning Medicaid coverage for medically-necessary, gender-affirming...
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From Ryan White to running a marathon: my story

March 27, 2019

By Sarah Pasternak When I tell my friends and family that I’m fundraising for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago through TEAM TO END AIDS (T2) , I tend to get some follow-up questions: Why am I SOOOO into raising money for HIV and AIDS services? Why am I signed up for a second marathon with T2? Why have I had the Until There’s a Cure bracelet since 1996?* Why did I join the Ribbon...
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Black women in Chicago invited to catch desire while preventing HIV

March 8, 2019

To improve awareness of PrEP among Chicago’s Black cisgender women and the providers who serve them, the local award-winning HIV prevention campaign PrEP4Love today released a three-song “visual EP” in partnership with local OB/GYN and rapper Dr. Every Woman — a.k.a. Dr. Wendy Goodall McDonald — and Northwestern University-based media platform OTV - Open Television...
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How cannabis is helping people living with HIV

March 6, 2019

By Raven Feagins UPDATE : On June 26, 2019, Governor Pritzker signed a bill into law that will legalize recreational cannabis for adults in Illinois by the start of 2020. Once this new law is in place, all Illinoisans 21 years and older will be legally allowed to possess up to 30 grams of cannabis, as well as varied amounts of THC (the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis)-infused products...
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IL Gov. Pritzker proposes level HIV funding in his first budget address

February 21, 2019

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker gave his first budget address on Wednesday, Feb. 20, which included level funding for HIV services in fiscal year 2020 (FY2020). Pritzker stated that his proposed budget is more austere than he would like, but it is the first step in a four-year plan to put Illinois back on the path of prosperity and growth for its people, communities, businesses and economy. The governor...
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Gov. Pritzker signs executive order supporting HIV/AIDS services

February 1, 2019

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...
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Things on our team’s plate in 2019

January 25, 2019

Happy 2019! The new year brings in renewed energy, and AFC staff are back at work continuing their plans towards advancing health equity! With new and continuing projects underway, we checked in with three staff members about to see what they are most excited about for 2019. "In 2019, I am looking forward to being able to give the reentry returning citizens housing and employment opportunities...
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Pride Action Tank responds to Supreme Court ruling on trans military ban

January 22, 2019

By Pride Action Tank Today, we bear witness to one of the ways Donald Trump will influence American history for years to come. On this day, the Supreme Court of the United States, in a five to four decision, led by the conservative justices, allowed discrimination against transgender people in the military to stand while legal battles continue to play out in lower courts. Pride Action Tank...
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