Senator Simmons and AIDS Foundation Chicago Urge Investments in HIV Care and Prevention

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Mike Simmons was joined by legislators and advocates from the AIDS Foundation Chicago at a press conference Wednesday to rally behind Senate Bill 2814, his budget proposal that would bolster HIV and AIDS services in Illinois amid federal health care cuts.

"I reject any reduced quality of life for a person living with HIV/AIDS," said Simmons (D-Chicago). "For the fourth year in a row, I will be fighting for a budget that includes funding for HIV prevention and treatment, and helps us get to zero new HIV/AIDS diagnoses by 2030."

Community leaders, health care providers and legislators joined Simmons to call for swift action to protect HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services in Illinois' Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Advocates outlined the need to reinforce HIV/AIDS funding outlined in Senate Bill 2814, including funding for critical outreach to minority populations, supportive housing programs and more.

Simmons' proposal comes in response to recent federal policy changes that could jeopardize health care coverage and public health funding nationwide, including nearly $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and changes to Affordable Care Act coverage that could cause 500,000 Illinois residents to lose coverage. Among those at risk are approximately 9,500 Illinoisans living with HIV.

"Ending the HIV epidemic is fundamentally a racial health equity issue," said Aces Lira, senior manager of state policy and advocacy at AIDS Foundation Chicago. "Nearly three-quarters of new HIV diagnoses in Illinois occur among Black and Latine communities. Sustained investments are essential to addressing these disparities and ensuring every Illinoisan has access to lifesaving care."

Simmons remains committed to protecting HIV/AIDS services, strengthening the state's public health infrastructure and maintaining Illinois' leadership in ending the HIV epidemic.

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