The fight for an additional $900,000 in HIV/AIDS funding from the city of Chicago continues this week, with a public hearing Wed., Nov. 5, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the City Council.
At least 10 aldermen have agreed to lobby for the change in Mayor Richard Daley’s proposed 2004 budget. Daley did ask for $100,000 more, but the AIDS Foundation of Chicago is spearheading efforts to get a $1 million increase over 2003 funding levels.
Protests continued outside City Hall last Wednesday, as AIDS activists counter the city’s claims that the funding simply is not there. The AIDS increase was the only increase in the entire health budget, and Chicago Health Commissioner John Wilhelm said any funds above the proposed $3.7 million are unlikely.
The city’s first openly gay alderman, the 44th Ward’s Tom Tunney, along with co-sponsors will introduce a budget amendment this week calling for a $1 million increase for HIV prevention programs. The full City Council may vote on the amendment as early as this week.
The mayor’s proposed $3.7 million is less than the city spent on HIV prevention in 1997, reports the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
‘Despite demographic changes in the HIV/AIDS epidemic over the past decade, AIDS continues to be a disease that disproportionately affects gay and bisexual men,’ said AFC’s David Munar, who also provided the following facts:
— Sexual contact between men continues to be the leading mode of HIV transmission in Chicago, accounting for 53% of new HIV cases.
— Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) account for the largest group of people living with AIDS (63%) in Chicago.
— In Chicago, there are more than 11,000 MSMs living with HIV/AIDS.
— Chicago lacks sufficient HIV prevention services—including outreach, HIV testing, and condom availability—at MSM venues, according to a recent research project commissioned by the city and the CDC.
— Syphilis cases among MSMs more than tripled from 2000 to 2001. Like HIV, syphilis is spread by unprotected sex.
— In a national sample, the number of MSMs with HIV rose for the third year in 2002, increasing 7.1% from 2001 to 2002.
— 642 MSMs died of AIDS-related causes in Chicago between 1997 and 2000.
— AIDS deaths overall in Chicago rose 13% from 2000 to 2001.
— 1 in 3 young, African-American MSMs is believed to be HIV-positive.
AFC urges Chicago residents to call their alderpersons. To find out which alderman represents the area of the city where you live or work, call (312) 744-8590, or see www.aidschicago.org/pdf/alderman_contacts.pdf, or see the ward map at www.ci.chi.il.us/CityCouncil/.
The amendment’s current supporters are capitalized below.
Thomas Allen – 773-545-3838
CARRIE AUSTIN – 773-928-6961
James Balcer -773-254-6677
William Banks – 773-622-3232
Anthony Beale – 773-785-1100
William Beavers – 773-731-1515
Howard Brookins Jr. – 773-874-3502
Ed Burke – 773-471-1414
WALTER BURNETT, JR. – 312-432-1995
George Cardenas – 773-843-9955
Isaac Carothers – 773-261-4646
Michael Chandler – 773-522-2400
Shirley Coleman – 773-918-1670
REY COLóN – 773-365-3535
Vi Daley – 773-327-9111
Brian Doherty – 773-792-1991
MANUEL FLORES – 773-278-0101
LESLIE HAIRSTON – 773-324-5555
Madeline Haithcock – 773-924-0014
Margaret Laurino – 773-736-5594
Pat Levar – 773-545-2545
Freddrenna Lyle – 773-846-7006
Ted Matlak – 773-384-3011
Richard Mell – 773-478-8040
Emma Mitts – 773-745-2894
JOE MOORE – 773-338-5796
Richard Munoz – 773-762-1771
Tom Murphy – 773-471-1991
Burt Natarus – 312-744-3062
PAT O’CONNOR – 773-769-1140
Billy Ocasio – 773-276-4269
FRANK OLIVO – 773-581-8000
John Pope – 773-721-1999
TONI PRECKWINKLE – 773-536-8103
Ariel Reboyras – 773-794-3095
Virginia Rugai – 773-238-8766
Gene Schulter – 773-348-8400
HELEN SHILLER – 773-878-4646
ED SMITH – 773-533-0900
MARY ANN SMITH – 773-784-5277
Daniel Solis – 773-843-1200
Bernard Stone – 773-764-5050
Todd Stroger – 773-874-3300
Ray Suarez – 773-486-6488
Latasha Thomas – 773-723-0908
Theodore Thomas – 773-778-9609
Dorothy Tillman – 773-373-3228
ARENDA TROUTMAN – 773-324-5224
TOM TUNNEY – 773-525-6034
Mike Zalewski – 773-582-7323