The AIDS Foundation of Chicago ( AFC ) issued a statement about Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner's most recent State of the State speech, saying he omitted important issues.
Among said issues:
Help for Illinoisans who need vital human services: AFC said Rauner failed to note "the human suffering playing out across the state as the seven-month budget impasse between himself and the General Assembly continues to devastate the social service sector." Many programs are being closed as a result of the impasse.
A plan for those living with HIV: The statement said that the governor's "actions are undermining HIV/AIDS programs like the Pediatric AIDS Chicago Prevention Initiative ( PACPI ), which works with medical providers statewide to ensure that pregnant women who are HIV-positive deliver HIV-negative babies."
A way forward: AFC said that compromise is needed instead of the "mutual respect" Rauner mentioned. The organization noted, "In a United Way of Illinois survey of human service agencies in every state county that receives state funding, 85% of respondents reported cutting the number of clients they serve, up from 34% in July 2015. This is not the way forward for Illinois."