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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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My father’s journey to get his wings

January 16, 2019

By Jared Smith*, Edited by Raven Feagins AFC received a packet in the mail in May 2018 with AIDS ribbon lapel pins and a beautiful, hand-written note. We followed up to find out more. Here’s a story from a young man about his father and how the pins arrived at AFC. An eye doctor by profession, a friend to many, a husband, an uncle and a father. My father was a man of many...
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Policy and legislative wrap up for 2018

January 11, 2019

2018 was another year full of policy and legislative ups and downs on all levels. However, AFC and like-minded advocates across the country stayed strong when faced with sometimes harsh and inhumane policies that threatened the livelihoods of our communities. Here are a few of the most influential policy and legislative highlights of the year.   Illinois Medicaid hepatitis C...
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New grant opportunity for “small but mighty” community orgs

January 9, 2019

The application process for capacity building and technical assistant mini-grant support to bolster Chicago-area HIV/AIDS organizations will be released in January 2019. This opportunity will support up to five community-based organizations in Chicago. The grant will offer selected CBOs a one-year program to improve their strategic clarity and strategic planning goals, board development,...
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Getting to zero through sex ed

January 4, 2019

By Raven Feagins This post originally appeared on November 29, 2018 on GTZIllinois.hiv . Conversations around U=U , PrEP and condom use are common among folks in the HIV workforce, but how can these conversations get started in middle and high school classrooms? The Hult Center for Healthy Living addresses this, among other topics, in their comprehensive sexual health curriculum...
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Join AFC's Board in 2019!

January 1, 2019

Are you interested in creating equity and justice for people living with and vulnerable to HIV or chronic conditions? If the answer is yes, we have just the volunteer opportunity for you! The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) is seeking candidates for board membership. If you are interested, please email Sarah Menke at [email protected] with your resume and a brief letter of...
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What a wonderful World of Chocolate: annual event raises sweet cash for HIV/AIDS support

December 20, 2018

A thousand guests came together at Revel Fulton Market to celebrate the  AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s  (AFC) World of Chocolate gala on Friday, Nov. 30. The evening raised over $200,000 (gross) to support the vital services AFC provides to thousands of Chicagoans each year, in addition to its policy and advocacy work to make equity and justice a reality in Illinois and beyond. ...
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