The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires state health care exchanges to establish a “navigator” program that will help people who are eligible to purchase coverage through the exchange learn about their new coverage options and enroll. States will award grants to entities that will provide these services.
Navigators will play a critical role in ensuring that Illinois residents have...
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UPDATE, December 2019: Click here to learn more about AFC's community mobilization work to reform HIV criminalization laws in Illinois.
UPDATE, May 2018: There have been no outward changes to Illinois’ legislation regarding HIV criminalization. However, AFC is part of a coalition working hard to eradicate the criminalization of HIV. Also, the HIV Criminalization Working...
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Illinois General Assembly Guts HIV Funding, Enacts 42% Cut
Largest HIV funding cut in Illinois history is likely to result in new HIV cases, fuel AIDS epidemic
SPRINGFIELD, IL – In a devastating blow to statewide efforts to curb the AIDS epidemic, the Illinois General Assembly enacted a state budget yesterday that slashes funding for community-based HIV prevention, care...
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AFC is deeply concerned that and the General Assembly are considering cutting HIV programs by $4 million or 14%, which will actually lower state funding for HIV prevention, housing, corrections, minority health, perinatal HIV, and harm reduction programs by 50%.
Based on public health data these cuts could result in 108 additional people becoming infected with HIV, resulting in over $40...
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On November 22, 2011, AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) hosted a webinar that discussed IDPH’s FY12 budget. This legislative year the General Assembly combined all HIV funding for IDPH into one budget line item.
What to find out how IDPH plans on spending and allocating these funds? Click here and view...
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It shouldn’t be a crime to help save someone’s life.
That’s why the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC), the Roosevelt University Institute for Metropolitan Affairs, and ACLU of Illinois are advocating for the passage of a bill in the state that would allow friends and families of drug overdose victims to call for help without fear of prosecution. As it stands now, too...
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The recently enacted (Exchange) Law calls for the creation of a 12-member Legislative Study Committee to issue a report to the General Assembly and the Governor on establishment of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange.
As veto session for the Illinois State Legislature approaches next month, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) has weighed in on the proposed . On October 5, 2011,...
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On June 16, 2011, AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) hosted a webinar detailing the impact that the state budget will have on HIV/AIDS funding and highlighting bills that AFC either spearheaded or collaborated on during the 2011 Illinois General Assembly spring session. The webinar was presented by John Peller and Ramon Gardenhire of the AFC Policy Department and provides a comprehensive analysis...
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AFC on June 13, 2011 sent a letter to Illinois Governor Pat Quinn with recommendations on how to implement the state FY 2012 budget, which begins July 1. The recommendations include implementing a Medicaid expansion for people with HIV and leveraging the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and touch on issues related to expanding accountability and transparency for state-funded HIV programs....
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The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) spearheaded or collaborated on the following bills during the 2011 Illinois General Assembly spring session that will impact the lives of people living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS. The bills are described below.
HB 3027 Comprehensive Sex Education
(D-Chicago) & Rep. Camille Lilly (D-Chicago)
AFC and...
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