State Sen. Heather Steans (D- Chicago) joined HIV/AIDS advocates from around the state today calling for a fair and balanced budget to protect programs that are essential to the lives of people living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS.

"The state is clearly in a financial meltdown right now but one of the things that we’re very concerned about is literally putting peoples’ lives at risk as we make critical budget decisions," said Steans at a State House press conference.

According to advocates, HIV programs need an additional $18 million in state FY 11 to meet growing demand for services and restore programs that were cut this year. Two bills pending in the General Assembly, HB 6173 and SB 3821, would allocate this funding next fiscal year, for a total of $44 million.

Without new funding, individuals will lose access to lifesaving services, such as the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which provides life-saving HIV medications to low-income people with HIV. Support for HIV prevention services and programs that provide housing and support for people with HIV are also at risk. These vital programs sustain the lives of people with HIV and prevent new HIV cases.

The HIV service sector is in strong support of a tax increase like the one outlined in HB 174, a responsible and balanced budget proposal that would significantly close the state budget deficit and continue services when vulnerable citizens need them most, during a recession.