Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) has ensured that HIV services in his state will remain nearly fully funded in his allocation plans for the new fiscal year state budget, according to the Windy City Times.  The announcement comes only a few weeks after CA Gov. Schwarzenegger came under criticism for severely cutting HIV/AIDS funding in California.

While the original budget provided for HIV/AIDS agencies to be funded at 50% of previous levels, Quinn has committed the allocation of an additional $40 million to the Illinois Department of Public Health as part of the governor’s discretionary dollars approved in the FY10 budget. These dollars, in addition to dollars approved in the budget, restore funding to 97.4% of previous levels.

Mark Ishaug, president/CEO of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, issued a statement thanking Governor Quinn for maintaining essential support for HIV/AIDS services during tough economic times.  “The governor’s decision ensures that HIV prevention and care services for people living with and at risk of HIV will continue largely uninterrupted.”