WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) announced today that the
AIDS Foundation of Chicago will receive $500,000 to assist in the prevention
and treatment of HIV/AIDS in minority and disadvantaged communities.
At Schakowsky’s request, the funds were included in the Labor, Health and
Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill.
“Thousands
of people rely on the invaluable services of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
I am very pleased that Congress has agreed to provide much needed funding
so that the Foundation can expand even further its community outreach initiatives,”
Schakowsky said.
“The
AIDS epidemic is still very much with us and the cost of treating people
living with HIV/AIDS is escalating. The federal government must ensure
that adequate resources are available to combat this epidemic and provide
medical, housing and other support for individuals living with the virus
in the Midwest and throughout the nation. I will work to help make
that goal a reality,” Schakowsky added.
More
than 28,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS in Illinois, and Chicago ranks
sixth amongst U.S. cities in its number of diagnosed AIDS cases. Nationwide,
more than 40,000 people are infected each year, with around 1,500 of them
occurring in Illinois.
The
final version of the bill has been approved by the House and the Senate
is expected to pass it this week. The President has indicated that he will
sign it. |
