To Whom It May Concern:
The AIDS Legal Council of Chicago ( ALCC ) is proud to announce that it is teaming up with the Illinois Department of Public Heath ( IDPH ) to protect the health and welfare of the HIV-positive population in Illinois. ALCC is a non-profit organization that provides direct legal services to people in need, educates the public about HIV-related legal issues and advocates for public policies that ensure fair treatment for all people with HIV/AIDS.
While we have traditionally only been able to serve persons in Cook County, it has always been a goal of ours to expand our reach and meet the epidemic wherever it lies. With this in mind, ALCC was recently awarded a grant from the IDPH to set up a statewide toll-free hotline to provide public benefits counsel to any HIV-positive person in Illinois. The vital impact of this project is two-fold. First, it fills a critical hole in the public health system by allowing ALCC to advise HIV-positive individuals on the multitude of public benefits options they may qualify for. Secondly, for the first time, individuals in smaller cities and rural areas of our state can receive HIV benefits expertise, all from the privacy of their own home.
We believe this will have a major impact for the many HIV-positive persons living in Illinois, especially those who may be isolated from legal and medical service providers familiar with HIV issues. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me via e-mail or phone at 312-427-8990.
Best regards,
Pete Subkoviak
Community Outreach Coordinator
AIDS Legal Council of Chicago