Tell Illinois Governor Pat Quinn to include $18 million in new HIV funding in his fiscal year 2011 state budget.  Your voice is needed now to restore funding for programs that are being cut today and avert even more devastating cuts next fiscal year. 

Sign the letter to Gov. Pat Quinn asking him to fully fund the HIV sector in his budget proposal!

This year, Illinois salvaged the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) by cutting funding from other vital HIV state programs. This tactic will accelerate the state’s long-term HIV/AIDS crisis by weakening prevention and care programs that help to curb the epidemic.  An $18 million budget increase will protect all essential services—including HIV prevention, care, housing and ADAP—from crushing budget reductions.

Fantastic video by Medill on Chicago Recovery Alliance, one of Chicago's oldest syringe exchange programs:

Chicago Recovery Alliances advocates safer drug use and harm reduction.

Not quite 'just say yes,' but program encourages smart drug use
by Chika S. Oduah
Feb 03, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 1, 2010 | MEDIA CONTACT:  Johnathon Briggs, 312-334-0922

The White House budget proposal unveiled Feb. 1 will result in further reductions in HIV prevention and care services across the U.S. with scarcely any help from the federal government, AIDS advocates warn.

“Even with the nominal HIV funding increases proposed by the Obama Administration, fewer HIV prevention and care services will be provided across the country because of disastrous state budget cuts, which will only widen the gap in unmet need,” said David Ernesto Munar, AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) vice president.

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) joins service providers and clients in mourning the loss of long-time HIV/AIDS housing advocate Gwendolyn Mastin. Mastin, who passed on January 29, launched in 1991 the New Phoenix Assistance Center, one of Chicago’s first scattered-site HIV/AIDS housing programs.

New Phoenix provides transitional housing and support services for women in the Greater Chicago area who are homeless and may be infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Gwen also developed a culturally competent pregnancy prevention initiative for teens. The center has served more than 5,700 people since it was founded. Gwen was a generous and spirited activist who will be greatly missed by the HIV/AIDS community. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go to his family, friends, and colleagues.

The Illinois primary elections are coming up on February 2 - less than a week away.  While the airwaves are flooded with campaign ads, the candidates have said little until now about their views on critical public health issues, including HIV/AIDS.

Today, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC), the Illinois Association of Public Health Administrators and Illinois Public Health Association released a compilation of the views of 77 candidates on HIV and public health issues. All three groups are non-partisan organizations and do not endorse candidates for public office.

We need your voice!

American Indian Health Service of Chicago (AIHSC) is looking for individuals to serve on a committee that will advise and guide the AIHSC HIV/AIDS Program.
AIHSC provides primary healthcare, behavioral health and community health services to the American Indian population of Chicago. We are the only urban Indian Health Program in Illinois.

New Female Condom, FC2, Now Available at More Affordable Price:

Chicago Female Condom Campaign Invites Area Agencies to Participate in Pool Purchasing.

The Illinois House Appropriations-Human Services Committee will hold a hearing on Friday, January 22, 2010 Time 10:00 AM in Room 16-504 James R. Thompson Center  on ADAP funding. The meeting is open to the public and you are encouraged to attend, but arrive early as space is limited.

In early January 2010, Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes announced that the state has over $5.1 billion in unpaid bills but no cash to pay them.  As a result, service providers can't meet payroll, agencies are at risk of shutting down, and clients may lose services.