Stopgap budget passed in Illinois – but is it enough?

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago is relieved that the Illinois General Assembly and Governor Bruce Rauner agreed to and passed a partial budget for FY 16 and a half-year, partial budget for FY 17, which begins today (Friday, July 1). The agreed–upon budget includes an estimated 65% of funding for the 18-month period covering July 1, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2017. This funding covers HIV prevention and care as well as many other social services, including supportive housing. 

However, the General Assembly and governor have not finished their work. Illinois needs a full-year budget for the fiscal year that starts today, and the state needs a responsible revenue increase to meet residents’ needs for HIV testing, care, housing and other services. These budgets only include funding for $0.65 of every dollar that was slated to be spent on critical HIV services — and that’s not good enough. We need a responsible budget that makes health equity a reality in our state.

Despite the shortcomings these budgets present, they are a step in the right direction for Illinoisans. Thank you for contacting your elected officials and demanding that they pass a #PositiveBudgetIL!

See the breakdown of HIV funding included in House Amendment 5 below. AFC will provide additional information on the FY 16 and FY 17 budgets as it becomes available.