More than 100 AIDS advocates from throughout Illinois gathered in Springfield for the 4th annual ‘Caring for Our Communities: HIV/AIDS in Illinois’ event last week. During the two-day event, advocates spoke with legislators about the impact of HIV/AIDS on Illinois residents, and the need for increased state funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, prevention programs, along with expanded health and social services for Illinoisans living with the disease.
‘A successful prevention campaign aimed at reducing new HIV infections requires a collaborative partnership of lawmakers, public health leaders, and grassroots organizations,’ said David Munar, AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s associate director of policy and communication.’Lobby Day provided an important opportunity for lawmakers and advocates to work together to end the spread of the disease.’
The spread of AIDS in Illinois mirrors nationwide trends, with communities of color hit especially hard by the disease. Although African Americans and Latinos make up just 27 percent of Illinois’ population, they account for 70 percent of all reported AIDS cases. Since 1981, approximately 16,400 Illinoisans have died from AIDS. Currently, an estimated 35,000 people in the state are living with HIV/AIDS, making Illinois the sixth most affected state. Roughly 1,600 Illinois residents are infected with HIV each year.