On Tuesday, March 24 at 8:30 a.m., HIV advocates from across the state, along with AIDS Foundation Chicago’s (AFC) Policy & Advocacy team, arrived at AFC’s downtown offices to travel to Springfield for our annual Advocacy Day. The excitement and energy of the team was on full display. We got on a bus and set out for Springfield, chatting and rehearsing our advocacy pitches for the following day.
Each year, AFC and Illinois HIV advocates join together for a day in Springfield to connect with legislators directly in support of essential policies promoting health equity and justice in Illinois. This year in particular had a potent aura of urgency, as the consequences of the Trump administration’s cuts to health and housing services cast a dark shadow over everyone in Illinois, especially those living with and vulnerable to HIV. Despite this, and perhaps also because of it, our advocates were fired up.
On Wednesday, March 25th, we set out for the Capitol. Advocates were eager to meet their elected officials and tell their story. Whenever they were faced with ambivalence or hesitation from a lawmaker, our advocates did not waver in their determination to have their voice heard.
While our team in Springfield was working within the Capitol, many more advocates were emailing their legislators through our Action Center. In the month of March alone, over 880 emails and social media posts were sent to state officials, demanding their support for our Advocacy Agenda.
The day concluded with a press conference featuring AFC’s Policy team, advocates with lived experience, and elected officials. “We don’t wait. We stand up,” said State Senator Mike Simmons in his remarks. Speakers highlighted the urgent need for policy to be passed to support increased funding for HIV and housing services in Illinois’sstate budget, open an overdose prevention site in the West Side of Chicago, remove prior authorizations for HIV-related medications from insurance plans in Illinois, and establish a LGBTQ & HIV long-term care Bill of Rights.
Experienced participants often say Advocacy Day can be the fastest long day of your life, and this year was no exception. Once legislators were called to the floor, we gathered for a celebratory lunch before heading back on the bus. Our spirits were high, and the energy on the ride home was palpable.
To everyone who acted, whether in person or digitally (or both), thank you. If you haven’t yet, there is still time! Lawmakers are hearing from us, and we must maintain our momentum and volume throughout the Illinois Spring Legislative Session. Continue to take action through the link below. There is no limit to how many times you can act. Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your loved ones to join you in making Illinois a better and more just place for everyone.
Don’t forget to take action on all four campaigns!
Click here to visit our Action Center and contact your state legislators.
Join our Mobile Action Network to receive text alerts & updates.
