The AIDS Foundation of Chicago ( AFC ) is about to embark on a very exciting voyage. On March 3-4, the foundation will boldly go where no state has gone before, with State Trek 2009: Illinois HIV/AIDS Lobby Days.
Every year, Illinois advocates travel to Springfield to lobby for support and/or funds to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS. The two-day event consists of luncheons, preparation courses on proper advocacy techniques, and meetings with the legislators themselves, to talk about the issues surrounding the growing epidemic.
In the past, the AFC has used themes, such as last year's Mission: Possible, in order to draw attention to their cause. This year, the foundation has chosen State Trek, a clever spin off on the science-fiction cult hit television show, Star Trek.
"State Trek is all about putting an emphasis on engaging advocates throughout the state," said Pete Subkoviak of the AFC ( photo by Andrew Davis ) , who explained that the majority of participants for the annual event have been mostly out of Chicago. "We understand that the epidemic is centric to the city; however, the epidemic is changing because it is spreading out to the suburbs and out to the rural areas more and more. We really want our advocates to come together and form a true statewide community."
Subkoviak believes that by creating a statewide network, it would allow a community response to HIV/AIDS legislation, not just during lobby days, but at all times. In fact, the AFC plans introduce a program called, "Illinois ASAP," which will enable this community of point people to "rally the troops" whenever a pending piece of legislation needs to be opposed or supported.
Some of the issues that the AFC will bring to legislators attention this year will be: Expedited Partner Therapy, an overdose prevention program, and the Principal Notification Law.
"Anyone who has a STD or a STI is much more at risk of becoming infected with HIV," said Subkoviak. "So we are advocating for Expedited Partner Therapy. This would means that if a person tests positive for gonorrhea, or something like that, then their doctor can give a prescription to the person's partner, so that they have access to the medication that will prevent the STD or STI."
Then, the AFC has been working with legislators to reintroduce an overdose prevention bill that Sen. Donne Trotter revealed back in 2008. The program would provide a safe and inexpensive medication called Narcon, or generically known as naloxone, in order to prevent overdose with injection drug users. The bill would also help by teaching injectors the importance of proper HIV protection, which will ultimately reduce needle sharing and unprotected sex.
Finally, Subkoviak explained that the AFC is trying to repeal a very old law, called the Principal Notification law.
"The Principal Notification law says is that if a student tests positive for HIV, the Principal of that school must be notified," he said. "The principal must then inform the Superintendent and is free to inform any number of school's faculty and employees. Eventually, the whole school knows they have HIV and a lot of kids have had their lives ruined by this."
The AFC will also be giving away Special Cadet Scholarships, for those living with HIV/AIDS in financial need.
The AFC believes that this outdated law serves no legitimate public health purpose and enables more HIV discrimination within the school system. By reversing the Principal Notification law, the foundation hopes that it will encourage proper HIV prevention techniques as well as improve testing efforts.
The AIDS foundation was founded in 1985 by a group of community activists, physicians, and people with HIV/AIDS, in order to implement policy and legislation changes. Every year the foundation works with community organizations to develop and improve community services, fund prevention care and advocacy projects.
State Trek: HIV/AIDS Lobby Days will be held March 3-4 at the President Lincoln Hotel, Springfield. See www.aidschicago.org/events/lobby_day_2009.php for more information.