Pressure continues on Mayor Daley and the City Council to increase city AIDS funding by $1 million for the next fiscal year.
A picket is planned for Wed., Oct. 29 outside City Hall, where the City Council is holding budget hearings.
Mayor Richard Daley asked for just $100,000 more in the 2004 city budget, despite months of pressure and even a support letter from Council members.
The mayor proposed a total of $3.7 million for HIV prevention programs, which is less than the city spent on HIV prevention in 1997, reports the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
AFC urges Chicago residents to call their alderpersons. To find out which alderman represents the area of the city where you live or work, call (312) 744-8590, or see www.aidschicago.org/pdf/alderman_contacts.pdf, or see the ward map at www.ci.chi.il.us/CityCouncil/ .
'Over the next six weeks, City Council will consider the city's $6 billion annual budget for 2004. We are asking City Council to approve a total of $4.6 million for HIV prevention,' AFC stated. 'This is $1 million more than the city spent on HIV prevention this year and $900,000 more than Mayor Daley proposed in his 2004 budget.'
Fourteen aldermen have already indicated that they will sponsor a budget amendment to increase the 2004 appropriation for HIV prevention by $1 million. The amendment's current supporters are capitalized below.
Thomas Allen - 773-545-3838
CARRIE AUSTIN - 773-928-6961
James Balcer -773-254-6677
William Banks - 773-622-3232
Anthony Beale - 773-785-1100
William Beavers - 773-731-1515
Howard Brookins Jr. - 773-874-3502
Ed Burke - 773-471-1414
WALTER BURNETT, JR. - 312-432-1995
George Cardenas - 773-843-9955
Isaac Carothers - 773-261-4646
Michael Chandler - 773-522-2400
Shirley Coleman - 773-918-1670
REY COLĂ"N - 773-365-3535
Vi Daley - 773-327-9111
Brian Doherty - 773-792-1991
MANUEL FLORES - 773-278-0101
LESLIE HAIRSTON - 773-324-5555
Madeline Haithcock - 773-924-0014
Margaret Laurino - 773-736-5594
Pat Levar - 773-545-2545
Freddrenna Lyle - 773-846-7006
Ted Matlak - 773-384-3011
Richard Mell - 773-478-8040
Emma Mitts - 773-745-2894
JOE MOORE - 773-338-5796