A man who was detained for a week without his HIV medication in Illinois has settled a federal lawsuit against the Bureau County Sheriff's Office, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois has announced.
Arick Buckles, a Chicago-based HIV/AIDS advocate, was detained in Princeton, Ill. three years ago on a forgery warrant dating back to 2003. Despite his repeated requests and requests from HIV/AIDS agencies, Bureau County Jail staff refused to give Buckles his HIV medications, the lawsuit alleged.
"It was a difficult experience — I told the staff each day about my HIV status and the need for my medications and I was ignored," said Buckles in a statement released by the ACLU.
Buckles filed suit in federal court in Peoria last year.
According to an Aug. 14 statement released by the ACLU, the Bureau County Sheriff's Office has agreed to change four policies and undergo mandatory all-staff trainings. They will also pay Buckles $20,000.
The ACLU had alleged that the sheriff's refused Buckles medications because the drugs were expensive. Buckles said in a statement that he hopes the new policies will prevent others from similar experiences.
Bureau County Sheriff John Thompson was not immediately available to comment.
Earlier coverage at www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Man-suing-Bureau-County-for-denial-of-HIV-meds/38158.html .
