Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Chicago Tribune - November 18, 2003
Sabrina L. Miller, Tribune staff reporter
Daley's budget had increased funding for HIV/AIDS programs by $100,000 over the current year, but the addition of the new money still falls short of the $1 million extra that aldermen said they would push for and that activists said was necessary to adequately fight the disease.
The additional money became available through Community Development Block Grant funds, said Budget Director William Abolt. Daley said he ultimately supported the increase, particularly if the end result is greater education about the disease and a decrease in the number of new infections, especially in minority communities that have been hard hit.
"Certain aldermen are coming up with money, and like anything else, you tighten everything down and that is what you are trying to do," Daley said. "Education and prevention. That is what you need."
Ald. Tom Tunney (44th), the council's only openly gay member, and community groups like the AIDS Foundation of Chicago said in budget hearings that the amount of funding for citywide AIDS outreach programs has been on a slight but steady decline for the last five years from a high of $3.9 million in 1997. They also noted that during that time the number of infections in the African-American and Latino communities has increased, arguing that now was not the time to scrimp on such funding.
"The epidemic is not going away," said David Munar, AIDS Foundation of Chicago spokesman. "There is a compelling case for putting more money into prevention funding."
The full council will vote on the proposed city budget Wednesday.
031118
CT031104
Copyright © 2003 - Chicago Tribune. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Chicago Tribune, Permissions Desk, 435 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 http://www.chicagotribune.com
AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, iMetrikus, Inc., John M. Lloyd Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2003. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .