SPRINGFIELD – Building upon her decades of advocacy to combat the ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic in Black communities, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is pushing for $15 million to help bring greater resources to disadvantaged communities.

“African Americans represent a fraction of Illinois' population, yet we bear a vastly disproportionate burden of new HIV diagnoses,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Our mothers, our brothers and our neighbors are dying at rates that should outrage every person.”

Under House Bill 4801, $15 million would be sent to the African-American HIV/AIDS Response Fund each year to combat disproportionate HIV/AIDS rates in Black communities.

Lightford has been instrumental in passing legislation in passing legislation to combat the Black HIV/AIDs crisis. In 2006, she led the creation of the African American HIV/AIDS Responsive Act, which established a grant program at the Illinois Department of Public Health for organizations that assist HIV/AIDS care.

Later, in 2022, she expanded upon that measure by leading House Bill 5549, which requires the Illinois Department of Public Health to award community-based organizations a grant to create a Center of Excellence Biomedical Resource Hub for HIV/AIDS. The Center of provides both preventative care and essential support services.

Lightford is now fighting to bring even greater supportive services to disenfranchised communities through House Bill 4801.

“Our communities have been asked to fight an epidemic with one hand tied behind their backs. Enough is enough,” said Lightford. “This bill says that Black lives matter enough to guarantee the resources needed to save them.”

Lightford will work throughout the legislative session to secure the funding in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.