On National HIV Testing Day (June 27), Governor Rod Blagojevich signed a new measure making HIV testing a routine part of general medical care. It takes effect June 1, 2008.
Senate Bill 929 allows medical providers to proceed with an HIV test once they have secured verbal informed consent from a patient. This change in the law will increase the number of state residents who are tested for HIV/AIDS and increase awareness regarding individual knowledge of HIV status.
Some of the other state-related efforts to combat HIV/AIDS include free HIV testing at events sponsored by the Illlinois Department of Public Health and on the Wellness on Wheels vans; the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP); and BASUAH (Brothers and Sisters United Against HIV/AIDS), a campaign to raise awareness and promote education, prevention and testing among African Americans.