Proceeds from sales would fund community-based HIV/AIDS prevention programs 

BROADVIEW – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood) and state Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) to create a “Quality of Life” lottery ticket to fund HIV/AIDS prevention in Illinois passed the General Assembly last Thursday and awaits the governor’s signature.

“Community-based social service groups have proven time and time again that they are often more successful than state agencies in dealing with problems,” Yarbrough said.  “The money raised from this program will go directly to at-risk communities and will be used by HIV and AIDS prevention groups that already have social networks in place, making sure the funding is used as efficiently as possible.”

Yarbrough’s Senate Bill 774 creates the Quality of Life Board within the Illinois Department of Revenue.  The board will work with the department to create and market an instant scratch-off game in the state lottery that sets aside all net revenues (ticket sales after payouts) for organizations involved in HIV/AIDS prevention.  Organizations will compete for grants based on size, with larger groups receiving bigger grants.  The funds received may not be used for institutional, organizational or community-based overhead costs, indirect costs, or tax levies.

“The increasing trends in HIV acquisition rates are alarming, especially in minority communities,” Collins added.  “The need for prevention and education is very real, and Senate Bill 774 will provide a revenue source to bring those dollars to the communities and individuals who need them.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, African Americans account for half of all new HIV cases. After learning that black women are 24 times more likely to get HIV or AIDS than other ethnic groups, Yarbrough and Collins agreed to work towards a new source of HIV/AIDS funding.

Senate Bill 774, which is co-sponsored by more than 30 House members and 19 senators, now moves to the governor for his approval.  For more information, contact Yarbrough’s constituent service office at 708-615-1747.

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