In Recognition of World AIDS Day, Lilly Highlights Protections for Illinoisans Living with HIV/AIDS

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In recognition of World AIDS Day, state Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, is highlighting her law to help protect Illinoisans who are living with HIV and AIDS.

“On World AIDS Day, it is critical that we offer care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS,” Lilly said. “As someone who works in the health care industry, I’ve heard stories of discrimination and mistreatment against people living with HIV/AIDS and it is my mission to ensure that no one faces discrimination because of a health care condition.”

Lilly sponsored Senate Bill 1319, which became law this year, to help protect Illinoisans living with HIV/AIDS from discrimination in assisted living facilities and to designate them as a group of greatest social need within the Illinois Act on Aging. With this designation, the state will be able to educate service providers about the importance of including older Illinoisans living with HIV/AIDS in federal funding requests in order to provide aging programs tailored to their needs.

“As Illinoisans living with HIV/AIDS age, we must ensure that laws and services for older adults support and affirm them,” Lilly said. “This measure is an important step in making sure that Illinoisans living with HIV/AIDS will have equal access to housing and services as they age.”