In October 2002, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago unveiled the final report on its 2002 candidate questionnaire that includes responses from 126 state, federal, and local candidates for elected office.
AFC surveyed hundreds of federal, state, and Cook County candidates on a range of critical AIDS public policy issues. While not endorsing candidates for public office, AFC regularly surveys candidates and publishes the results to inform people with HIV/AIDS, their service providers and advocates, and the general public about candidates' positions on an array of issues.
AFC conducted the 2002 candidate survey in two parts. The first report, published in March 2002, included responses from
congressional and statewide candidates vying for their party's nominations. This subsequent report includes responses from Illinois candidates running in the Nov. 5 general election for Congress, state executive offices, the Illinois General Assembly, and the Cook County Board of Commissioners. In addition, AFC invited candidates for governor to submit written statements about their HIV/AIDS-related positions; Democratic nominee Rod Blagojevich was the only candidate to respond.
See www.aidschicago.org . following are excerpts from Blagojevich's statement:
AIDS is a public health crisis in Illinois, and I am committed to ensuring that the state government plays a leadership role in combating this disease. Illinois has the sixth highest number of cases in the nation, 25,000 of our residents have been diagnosed with AIDS and it has taken the lives of 15,000 of them. We must act in partnership with local and federal entities and community-based organizations in responding to the nation's HIV/AIDS crisis.
While much progress has been made in the fight against AIDS, much more remains to be done so that we can save lives and
prevent the spread of this disease. The state's current HIV infection rate, approximately 1,500 cases per year, remains
unacceptably high. The epidemic disproportionately affects people of color and young adults.
As a member of Congress, I have worked with leaders, such as the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, to support full funding for
the Ryan White CARE Act, the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program, HIV-prevention programs
funded through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) in an effort to respond
appropriately to the AIDS pandemic.
As governor, I will continue this fight. The state must pursue an array of HIV-prevention, care and surveillance measures, including supporting scientifically rigorous and evidence-based prevention programs in order to stem the spread of HIV, and also increase funding for addiction treatment services, harm-reduction services and HIV risk-reduction programs for all at-risk populations, including injection drug users.
In addition, I will seek increased funding for targeted HIV prevention programs tailored for high-risk populations, with a focus on youth. As a candidate for Governor, I have called for full expansion of the Family Care program to provide health insurance to as many as 300,000 working parents of children enrolled in the Kid Care program--this is estimated to provide insurance to over 1,000 parents with AIDS.
Voter Registration Nets 1,826 New Voters
We Are Voting Illinois, a joint effort of Stonewall Democrats-Chicago and Human Rights Campaign Illinois, finished the 2002 voter registration season by registering 1,826 individuals in the Lakeview, Andersonville and Uptown communities. Registration by the Board of Elections is closed for this election cycle.
WAVI urges all registered voters to participate in the election Nov. 5. For info on polling places: (Chicago residents)
312-269-7976; (Cook County outside Chicago) 312-603-0906; or county boards of election.
