AIDS Foundation of Chicago has issued a press release asking Illinois' legislative leaders to negotiate the state budget. As it stands, HIV/AIDS agencies will receive only 50 percent of last year's funds.
"In the midst of one of the most severe economic downturns in decades, the Illinois General Assembly concluded its spring session on the constitutional budget deadline of May 31 by failing to pass a modest, temporary tax increase. Had they taken action, the General Assembly could have greatly reduced state's $7 billion budget gap and preserved services for hundreds of thousands of vulnerable Illinoisans, including people living with and at risk of HIV," according to the release.
"The AIDS Foundation of Chicago urges legislative leaders and Governor Quinn to immediately convene for budget negotiations," said Mark Ishaug ( pictured ) , AFC's president and CEO. "The new fiscal year starts in 30 days, ample time to solve this problem. Leaving a solution to the last minute will cause needless disruption for people living with HIV and the agencies that serve them."
An estimated 42,000-44,000 people are living with HIV in Illinois—and as many as 8,000-10,000 people with HIV in our state are infected with the virus but don't know it.
For more about the foundation, see www.aidschicago.org .
