Illinois said to have ‘momentum’ in ending HIV in state

CHICAGO — The goal to end the HIV epidemic in Illinois has made strides, giving hope to the state’s effort to fight the virus and get to zero new infections in the next few years.

In 2022, more than 1,300 Illinoisans received an HIV diagnosis, but that number is diminishing, Gov. JB Pritzker said at a Wednesday workshop at the University of Illinois Chicago Student Center West on Wolcott Avenue.

“The number of new cases diagnosed statewide has decreased 18 percent. In addition, the national HIV/AIDS strategy established a target to increase rates of care access within one month of diagnosis, to 95 percent,” Pritzker said.

Getting to Zero Illinois (GTZ-IL), as its website states, is a community engagement initiative that aims to end the HIV epidemic in Illinois by 2030.

GTZ-IL was launched in 2019, with lead partners at both the Illinois and Chicago Departments of Public Health, with “zero” being the goal of having no new HIV cases by 2030. The initiative is also part of a larger movement seeking to make sure those living with HIV have proper access to care and to dismantle stigmas often associated with HIV and AIDS.

This year, GTZ-IL released its Plan 2.0 for 2024-27 , a comprehensive update developed over a year-long process that will guide the next phase of the HIV-fighting effort.

Regarding recent data, the head of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago said the “momentum is incredible.”

“The Getting to Zero 2.0 plan is going to build on that momentum,” John Peller said.

Pritzker praised the initiative and vowed continued support from his administration.

“We will work together to reduce structural and institutional barriers to diagnose and treat,” Pritzker said. “We will expand access to care while breaking down the stigma for people living with or vulnerable to HIV, to seek help or to receive a diagnosis as soon as possible.

“… Overcoming the stigma really matters,” he said. “It really matters — the fact that we’re talking about it here, the fact that there is public coverage of it, going out and just talking about it in our communities with people … really, everybody. People need to understand this in order for us to overcome it.”

Numerous community groups were also present at the event Wednesday, including the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Visit AIDSChicago.org for more information.

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