Hundreds of Illinoisans to Rally at Capitol for a Mission: Possible: State Needs to Follow Through on Funding for HIV Testing

10,000 Illinois Residents Still Don’t Know They are Infected with HIV

What: More than 150 AIDS advocates will rally at the State Capitol to demand a critical $2M budget appropriation to expand voluntary HIV testing services across Illinois. They will also be advocating for bills to prevent drug overdose deaths and to grant health care coverage to poor Illinoisans ineligible for public assistance. The action is part of the 8th annual Illinois HIV/AIDS Lobby Day, sponsored by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

When: Today, April 2, Kick-off rally at 11:00 a.m.

Where: State Capitol Rotunda

Why: An estimated 10,000 Illinoisans are unaware that they are HIV positive. Illinois moved to change this last year by passing a law – Illinois Public Law 95-0007 – modernizing old state testing laws. Unfortunately, the funding to make this modernization possible remains extremely inadequate. Advocates will be talking to their legislators about the $2M appropriation needed to expand voluntary testing services, train medical providers and reach the under- and un-insured in emergency rooms, doctors’ offices, and community clinics.

In addition, advocates will be supporting Senate bills 2155, which seeks to prevent drug overdose deaths through freer use of naloxone, an opiate reversal drug, and 1925, which would grant comprehensive medical coverage to adult Illinoisans living below the federal poverty line who are ineligible for public assistance.

Who: More than 150 HIV/AIDS advocates from across Illinois are calling on legislators to fulfill this “Mission: Possible” in the fight against the disease and increase funding for voluntary testing. Illinois State Representatives Sara Feigenholtz and Karen Yarbrough, as well as State Senator David Koehler will join community leaders at the rally.

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