Senate Bill 774, known as the ‘Quality of Life’ bill, has passed both houses. On May 31, it passed through the state House by a 69-44 vote after passing through the Senate on May 9 by a vote of 37-13.
The measure will create a scratch-off lottery game that will ultimately benefit HIV/AIDS prevention and education efforts. All the revenue from the game will be put into the Quality of Life Endowment Fund. The Illinois Department of Public Health will use the funds for HIV/AIDS prevention education; in addition, monies will be allocated to organizations throughout the state that serve communities that are disproportionately affected by the disease.
Benny Montgomery, Jr., and Michael O’ Connor, members of the organization known as The Coalition for the Quality of Life, initially brought the idea for the bill to State Rep. Karen Yarbrough, D-7th District.