Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Chicago Tribune - September 16, 2005
Erika Slife, eslife@tribune.com
The governor also announced that he had filed an emergency rule to implement rapid HIV/AIDS testing statewide. The rule, filed with the secretary of state's office, lets more than 300 Illinois Department of Public Health facilities administer tests that can show results in 20 minutes, Blagojevich said.
The campaign, called Brothers and Sisters United Against HIV/AIDS, would be aimed at the African-American community, where the proportion of cases is higher than among other races.
"It's a real problem. It's a threat to life and health, and something we need to be talking about all the time, all around the community, so that we can raise awareness and raise consciousness," Blagojevich said.
The campaign includes public-service announcements, advertisements and a Wellness on Wheels van, which will travel across the state providing health screenings and testing. Additionally, a statewide African-American, faith-based conference is being planned to address the issue.
Blagojevich made the announcement at the Northeastern Illinois University Center for Inner-City Studies Auditorium along with members of the legislature's black caucus, Dr. Eric Whitaker, the Illinois director of public health, and Yusuf Omar, South African consul general.
"This day represents a milestone in the struggle with this disease that has been so devastating to some populations in our state," said Rep. Constance Howard (D-Chicago), who has campaigned for programs to fight HIV.
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