John Peller's blog

Today, 66 organizations and over 400 individuals called on Illinois Governor Pat Quinn to fairly fund HIV services in the FY 11 state budget, to be introduced March 10.

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

The Cook County Board President (now Todd Stroger) has the final say over Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center--the lynchpin of HIV care in Chicago and Cook County. Shouldn't you know what the candidates for the position have to say about healthcare before you vote for them on Feb. 2?

Here's your chance!

Ariana was kind enough to include a post from the AIDS Foundation of Chicago's Johnathon Briggs and John Peller about the City of Chicago's proposed public health budget cuts:

Over at Progress Illinois, Angela Caputo has a great (and concise!) summary of the how health reform will help Illinois. It comes form a report HHS released yesterday describing how health reform will help each state. We give it two thumbs up.

"Here's the estimated take-away in Illinois (this analysis does not factor in the local impact of a public option):

The Chicago Sun-Times reported this week that residents of the Chicago suburbs can save 14-25% on health insurance, compared to Chicago residents. 

The Trib reported earlier this week that "Gov. Pat Quinn and lawmakers increasingly have turned to borrowing as a quick fix and are on track to borrow up to $6.5 billion in loans to keep the state afloat."

Sadly, it's the bankers who are reaping the benefits of this borrowing bonanza while citizens in need suffer and wait for services.  Next year will be even worse, with a $12 billion projected deficit.

Our brilliant colleagues at the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law tie the health reform debate together beautifully in their latest post, which isn't at all a rant, but their usual thoughtful take on policy issues. 

On the One Year Anniversary of the election of President Obama,

there is still:

“Change…” Worth Fighting For!!

On Tuesday, November 3, the first anniversary of the election of President Barack Obama, Chicago leaders will gather in front of Grant Park to rally our support for the “Change” we believe is worth fighting for.

CHICAGO (October 21, 2009)—Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley proposed today a 12 percent reduction in city-funded public health services in Chicago’s 2010 budget.  While HIV programs were largely spared, the Mayor’s plan recommends a 4 percent funding reduction for HIV services.