ACTION NEWS www.aidschicago.org • February 12, 2007

Daley, Brown Back Increased HIV/AIDS Funding 79 Candidates Respond to AFC Questionnaire

Vying for ’s top job, mayoral (reproduced on page 2) regarding city candidates Richard M. Daley and Dorothy funding for HIV prevention services, health Brown voiced support for such AIDS clinics, housing assistance, and needle Foundation of Chicago (AFC) priorities as exchange programs. Respondents were supportive housing, needle exchange, and asked to answer yes, no, or do not know to other HIV prevention interventions. each question. Mayoral candidates were invited to include written statements in Daley and Brown are among 79 local addition to their questionnaire responses candidates to respond to AFC’s 2007 (see page 7). municipal candidate questionnaire. Other respondents include Miguel del Valle, With responses from 79 of 195 candidates, seeking re-election as City Clerk, Stephanie the response rate was 41%. This Neely, seeking re-election as City represents a more than 10% increase over Treasurer, and 75 City Council candidates. the 2003 city candidate questionnaire response rate. In a written statement, Daley, the five-term incumbent, said he has “substantially Each election year, AFC surveys candidates increased” funding for prevention, on AIDS-related policies and publishes treatment, housing, and other services since results to educate voters and the general taking office and pledged “to continue to public. AFC is a non-partisan organization increase funding to keep up with need as and does not endorse candidates for public our resources allow.” office.

Brown noted the importance of community based initiatives and said if elected she “will ; Vote on February 27 work with regional, state and national funding authorities to increase financial AFC urges all eligible Chicagoans to support where appropriate.” Both vote in the municipal election on candidates’ full statements can be seen Tuesday, February 27, 2007. For beginning on page 7 of this report. additional information or to find which ward you are in and your polling place, The overwhelming majority of survey please contact the Chicago Board of respondents were in full agreement with Elections at 312-269-7900 or visit AFC’s positions on four critical HIV/AIDS www.chicagoelections.com. issues. All citywide candidates and candidates in 38 of 50 City Council races If you will be out of your voting area on responded in full agreement with AFC. Election Day or are physically unable Candidates and their responses are listed to travel to your polling place, you may on pages 3-6 of this report. request an absentee ballot application, due no later than February 22, 2007. About the survey: Furthermore, early voting is available to all registered voters February 5-22, In December 2006, AFC mailed its 2007. Contact the Board of Elections questionnaire to all 2007 candidates for for more information. and citywide office as listed by the Chicago Board of Elections. The document consisted of four questions Questions Posed to Candidates for Chicago City Council and Citywide Office

1. Do you support an increase of $1 million or more in City corporate funding for community-based HIV prevention services as a strategy to address the escalating HIV/AIDS crisis in our city?

AFC Answer: YES—Until an effective vaccine, microbicide, or cure is developed, prevention strategies are our only tools for slowing the epidemic and improving the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS.

2. Do you support increased funding for Chicago Department of Public Health’s STD/HIV clinics, which currently must turn away more than 200 individuals each month?

AFC Answer: YES—Public health clinics provide vital sexually transmitted disease (STD) and HIV prevention and testing services to at-risk individuals across the city. Since STDs increase the likelihood of HIV transmission, effective STD screening and treatment programs are an important aspect of a comprehensive HIV prevention plan.

3. Do you support prioritizing Low Income Housing Trust Fund assistance for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS?

AFC Answer: YES—People living with HIV/AIDS need a stable living environment in order to maintain consistent treatment. Additionally, individuals who have a home are less likely to engage in risky behaviors that increase the likelihood of transmitting the HIV virus to others. The Low Income Housing Trust Fund provides rental assistance to thousands of families and single people. Launched by Mayor Daley in 1990, the fund’s board is appointed by the mayor and confirmed by City Council.

4. Should Chicago increase funding for needle exchange programs, which effectively decrease transmission of HIV and Hepatitis C among injection drug users, their sexual partners, and children?

AFC Answer: YES—Empirical research shows that community access to sterile injection equipment reduces the transmission of HIV, hepatitis, and other blood- borne infections without increasing drug use.

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Complete questions and AFC’s responses are on page 2. AFC’s answer is YES to all questions.

Y=Yes, N=No, 2007 Candidate Responses ?=Do Not Know

OFFICE NAME (Incumbents in Italics) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Mayor Richard M. Daley Y Y Y Y Syron M. Smith William Walls, III Dorothy A. Brown Y Y Y Y Ziff Anthony Sistrunk Clerk Miguel del Valle Y Y Y Y Thomas O'Brien Jose Cerda III Dozier Thomas George Sims Diane Jones Sally Johnson Treasurer Stephanie D. Neely Y Y Y Y Elida M. Cruz Ward 1 Manuel "Manny" Flores Ward 2 Bob Fioretti Larry Doody Y Y Y Y Madeline L. Haithcock David R. Askew Kenny Johnson Y Y Y Y Wallace Davis Jr. Ward 3 Mell Monroe Y Y Y Y Dorothy J. Tillman Y Y ? Y Benjamin Harris Angelo James Ward 4 Norman H. Bolden Toni Preckwinkle Y Y Y Y Ward 5 Oscar Worrill Y Y Y Y Leslie A. Hairston Y Y Y Y Ward 6 Freddrenna M Lyle Y Y Y Y Karin M. Norington-Reaves Y Y Y Y Thelma F. Andrews Eugene C. Davis Ward 7 Darcel A. Beavers Ron David Eric R. Brown Y Y Y Y Sandi Jackson Y Y Y Y Ward 8 Michelle A. Harris Y Y Y Y Joseph McAfee Cliff Underwood Y Y Y Y Derrick T. Prince Faheem Shabazz Y Y Y Y Dennis Allen Sharon Ann Adams Y Y Y Y Van B. Newell, Jr. Ward 9 Anthony A. Beale Y Y Y Y Earick D. Rayburn Y Y Y Y Harold Noonie Ward Deborah E. Levi Robert Burns AIDS Foundation of Chicago y 2007 Candidate Questionnaire y Page 3

Complete questions and AFC’s responses are on page 2. AFC’s answer is YES to all questions. Y=Yes, N=No, 2007 Candidate Responses ?=Do Not Know OFFICE NAME (Incumbents in Italics) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Ward 10 John A. Pope Y Y Y Y Dinah Ramirez Thomas M. Malesh Ward 11 Carl Segvich James A. Balcer Y Y Y Y Ward 12 Carina E. Sanchez Y Y Y Y Jesus (Jesse) Iniguez Alan R. Mercado Jesus G. Salazar Alberto Bocanegra Jr. Ward 13 Frank J. Olivo Ward 14 Edward M. Burke Paloma M. Andrade Ward 15 Toni L. Foulkes Y Y Y Y Janice Jeffries Felicia H. Simmons-Stovall Tommie Grayer, Sr. Sandra L. Mallory Y Y N Y Brian E. Dunn Y Y Y ? Richard L. Anderson Vesta Lewis Dixon Denise Dixon Y Y ? Y William Burch Y Y Y Y Virgil E. Jones Shawn D. Monroe, Sr. Ward 16 Shirley A. Coleman Y Y Y Y Joann Thompson Darryl Smith Denise P. Brown Eddie Johnson III Jeffrey L. Lewis ? Y ? Y Hal E. Baskin Y Y Y Y Ward 17 Latasha R. Thomas Y Y Y Y Tyrone De'Andre Hawthorne Yvette Williams Y Y Y Y Charles Partlow, Jr. Ward 18 Paul Stewart Eldora Davis Lona Lane Sydney A. Washington Joseph C. Ziegler, Jr. Ward 19 Virginia A. Rugai John Somerville Timothy J. Sheehan Ward 20 Arenda Troutman Willie B. Cochran Y Y Y N Edward Chaney Ward 21 Sylvia Y. Jones Y Y Y Y Leroy J. Jones, Jr. Y Y Y Y Mildred McClendon Dwayne Belle Howard B. Brookins, Jr.

AIDS Foundation of Chicago y 2007 Candidate Questionnaire y Page 4

Complete questions and AFC’s responses are on page 2. AFC’s answer is YES to all questions.

Y=Yes, N=No, 2007 Candidate Responses ?=Do Not Know OFFICE NAME (Incumbents in Italics) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Ward 22 Ricardo Munoz Y Y Y Y Joaquin Salamanca August Sallas Jose M. Gutierrez Ward 23 Michael R. Zalewski Charles Maida Ward 24 Thomas Worthy Julius Anderson Michael D. Chandler Y Y Y Y Donald Patterson Sharon Denise Dixon Y Y Y Y Willie G. Brooks Martavius "Mark" Carter Ward 25 Cushutemoc Morfin Y Y Y Y Daniel "Danny" Solis Joe D. Acevedo Aaron Del Valle Juan M. Soliz Ambrosio Medrano Y Y Y Y Martha Padilla Ward 26 Billy Ocasio Y Y Y Y Jesse D. Granato Samuel "Sammy" Maldonado Onix I. Vera Ward 27 Walter Burnett, Jr. Y Y Y ? Ward 28 Ed H. Smith Y Y Y Y CaSandra Colvin Y Y Y Y Donald Greer Chubby C. Rover Shawn A. Walker Alexzandual "Alex" M. Lyons Y Y Y N Ward 29 Issac "Ike" Sims Carothers Ward 30 Wayne A. Strnad Y Y Y Y Ariel E. Reboyras Y Y Y ? Jose Anthony Alvarez Ward 31 Regner "Ray" Suarez Reinaldo "Ray" Hernandez Ward 32 Y Y Y Y Ted Matlak Catherine A. Zaryczny Y Y Y ? Ward 33 Richard F. Mell Ward 34 Carrie M. Austin Y Y ? Y Henry Moses Michael E. Mayden Y Y Y Bernard "BK" Kelly Ward 35 Vilma Colom Y Y Y Y Rey Colon Y Y Y Y Miguel Sotomayor Ward 36 Nicholas S. Sposato William J.P. Banks Y Y Y Y

AIDS Foundation of Chicago y 2007 Candidate Questionnaire y Page 5

Complete questions and AFC’s responses are on page 2. AFC’s answer is YES to all questions.

Y=Yes, N=No, 2007 Candidate Responses ?=Do Not Know OFFICE NAME (Incumbents in Italics) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Ward 37 Tommy O. Abina Y Y Y ? Emma M. Mitts Y Y Y Y Daryl Jones Percy Z. Giles Y Y Y Y Arlene P. Jones Y Y ? Y Eric P. McKennie Y Y Y Y Ward 38 Thomas R. Allen Ward 39 Margaret Laurino Christopher J. Belz Ward 40 Patrick J. O'Connor Ward 41 Brian G. Doherty Michael B. Hannon Y Y Y Y Andrew Devito Don Markham Ward 42 Brendan Reilly Y Y Y Y Burton F. Natarus Mike "Libby" Libert Ward 43 Michele Smith Y Y Y Y Vi Daley Y Y Y Y Rachel Goodstein Y Y Y Y Peter Zelchenko Y Y ? Y Tim Egan Ward 44 Y Y Y Y Ward 45 Patrick J. Levar Terrence W. Boyke, Jr. Y Y Y Y Anna Klocek Robert A. Bank Ward 46 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Ward 47 Gene Schulter Y Y Y Y Martin P. Cooney Y Y Y Y Ward 48 Y Y Y Y Ward 49 Chris Adams Y Y Y Y Joe Moore Y Y Y Y Don Gordon Y Y Y Y Jim Ginderske Y Y Y Y Ward 50 Naisy Dolar ? Y Y Y Greg Brewer ? Y ? ? Bernard L. Stone Y Y Y ? Salman Aftab

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Written Responses from Chicago Mayoral Candidates

Candidates for Mayor were invited to submit statements regarding their HIV/AIDS positions. Their responses are included, verbatim, below.

Dorothy A. Brown “I want to be the Mayor of the City of Chicago because I have a vision for a Chicago that works for all of us. I want to be a Mayor for all of Chicago.

I want to implement programs that will effectively address the problems of HIV/AIDS in the city. I want to develop and implement educational and health care programs to target non-Hispanic African American adult women who made up nearly 90% of the new HIV/AIDS infections among women diagnosed in Chicago in 2003. I want to inform and educate the young people between the ages of 13-24 who are being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS at an ever increasing rate. I will also specifically develop and implement prevention and care programs targeted at Hispanics and African Americans who make up a disproportionate number of the new cases of HIV/AIDS diagnosed each year in the city.

The city of Chicago has been riddled with scandal after scandal over the last several years. It is time for a Mayor with high ethical values that can put an end to the ethical lapses and will take responsibility for her administration.

The goals that I have for the city are to create an ethical government that is free from scandal, crime and corruption; to develop an educational system that is world class and makes educating the more than 400,000 children in the city of Chicago a top priority; to create jobs for the citizens of Chicago; and to build Affordable Housing in the city for low income residents and persons living with HIV/AIDS who require housing or housing support. I also want to ensure that we have adequate and proper law enforcement. In addition, I will ensure that any signs of police brutality and torture are swiftly investigated and properly and adequately prosecuted where appropriate.

I will work to develop more community based HIV/AIDS prevention programs and services and will work with regional, state and national funding authorities to increase financial support where appropriate. I will work with HIV/AIDS advocacy groups to make sure that the city is always aware of, supportive of and implements compassionate HIV/AIDS public policy.”

Richard M. Daley 1. Do you support an increase of $1 million or more in City corporate funding for community-based HIV prevention services as a strategy to address the escalating HIV/AIDS crisis in our city? “Yes, if we can. The 2007 budget calls for spending $4.2 million in city funds for AIDS prevention. I proposed a $500,000 increase for 2007 and will continue to revisit the issue in subsequent years. With the slowdown in our nation’s economy Chicago has not been immune to budget cuts. However, the city was well prepared and therefore we are working to ensure that we can continue our aggressive efforts to halt the HIV/AIDS crisis.

As you know, key to all my initiatives as Mayor has been empowering people and building capacity in all of Chicago’s communities. I believe it is vital that HIV prevention services do the same. Strategies and messages that work for different segments of the gay male community will be different from those targeting women of color and men who have sex with men, but do not identify themselves as gay. Communications and messaging must be culturally appropriate and accessible to the respective target audiences. I also think that age-appropriate education is important for our young people so that they are educated and can make informed decisions about important choices that they will face in their lives.

City money alone will not solve the prevention problems. It is important to continue to build partnerships with community based organizations, healthcare providers, social service agencies, churches, mosques and temples to work as one to show that all Chicago considers prevention an important priority and concern for all.

The funding that the City provides for prevention and care is a vital aspect but it is not the only part of the overall funding equation. We need continued and increased funding from the State and Federal governments. We must be sure that Ryan White and HOPWA formulas recognize that major cities like Chicago must still be a priority when allocating funds for treatment and prevention, as our absolute numbers of cases are large and growing. I also believe that providing the full spectrum of support for people living

AIDS Foundation of Chicago y 2007 Candidate Questionnaire y Page 7 with HIV/AIDS is important. Providing substance abuse and mental health treatment, affordable housing, food and comprehensive case management are all vitally important. I will continue to make increases in prevention, treatment, services and ADAP funding a key part of my state and federal agendas.

In the meantime, we are looking for other ways to help. The City has provided substantial support for the Center on Halsted, Howard Brown Health Center and Southside Help Center among others, and has taken a leading role on the crystal meth issue.”

2. Do you support increased funding for Chicago Department of Public Health’s STD/HIV clinics, which currently must turn away more than 200 individuals each month? “Yes, if we can. We must examine procedures and productivity as well to do the most with current resources.

It is important that the people of Chicago have easy access to the clinics and facilities available to them. Our biggest concern is that those who want testing, counseling and treatment for STD’s receive services in a timely manner to stop the spread of infection.

STD treatment is the end of a process. We must also continue to work on culturally appropriate prevention messages so that people who are sexually active practice safer sex and do not become infected in the first place. We must continue to look at substance abuse, feelings of hopelessness and oppression, poverty and other contributing factors people engaging in unsafe sex. I worry that young people in particular now sometimes look at HIV as a “treatable” disease and do not fully appreciate the consequences of their actions when they engage in unprotected sex.

The Department of Health works in partnership with the community to implement the best practices for prevention and treatment and to promote the highest quality of services for the health and well being of those who are living with and impacted by these diseases. We must continue to work with Health, other city agencies, our community based organizations, healthcare providers, schools and the faith community to get appropriate, factual information to Chicagoans so they can take appropriate prevention measures before treatment becomes necessary.”

3. Do you support prioritizing Low Income Housing Trust Fund assistance for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS? “The LIHTF has a separate Board of Directors which determines policy and priorities. Given the increasing cost of housing, there are many individuals, families and seniors who need housing assistance across Chicago. I hope that with the recent funding increases to the LIHTF that they will give consideration to assistance to people with HIV/AIDS as an important group to receive housing assistance.”

4. Should Chicago increase funding for needle exchange programs, which effectively decrease transmission of HIV and Hepatitis C among injection drug users, their sexual partners, and children? “Yes, if we can. I am proud that Chicago has actively funded syringe exchange, since the State and Federal governments do not allow their funds to be used for this purpose. The City is the only governmental unit currently funding this vital effort.

The Chicago Department of Public Health is responsible for working with the HIV Prevention Planning Group to prioritize spending, and I respect those community-based decisions about prevention priorities. However, I have let the Department know that I believe syringe exchange is a vital part of good public health policy.

With new Democratic leadership in Springfield and Washington, I hope we can use Chicago as an example of how harm reduction has reduced disease transmission, helped addicts into recovery, increased overall community wellbeing while not increasing drug use as some opponents fear. Using Chicago’s experience, it would be very helpful if state and federal funds could be utilized for syringe exchange and other important harm reduction strategies.”

STATEMENT:

“I am proud of the work we have done in Chicago on prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS since I became Mayor. But as we look at the current caseload and number of new cases, there is much more to do. I have substantially increased City funding over the years for prevention, care, treatment, housing and supportive services. I pledge to continue to increase funding to keep up with need as our resources allow. Just as important to me is strengthening the bonds, partnerships and collaboration between government, community based organizations, schools, churches, mosques, synagogues, healthcare providers, affordable housing

AIDS Foundation of Chicago y 2007 Candidate Questionnaire y Page 8 providers, substance abuse treatment services and all the other service providers to implement a sustained City-wide effort to combat HIV and support those living with HIV/AIDS in every Chicago neighborhood.

As part of that bond, Chicago has and will continue to work hard on HIV prevention in the LGBT community, women’s community and communities of color. We support culturally appropriate prevention messages, a comprehensive continuum of care and services, and a strong, coordinated case management system.

I personally have been and will continue to be a strong advocate for sensible public health policies and increased prevention, care and service funding not only here, but in Springfield and Washington as well.

I hope that in reviewing my record on these issues, that you will also reflect on my seventeen years in office and all that we have accomplished together.

Chicago is a better, stronger place to live and work that it was when I became Mayor. That progress can be seen in neighborhoods across the city in new parks, new schools and libraries, new police and fire stations that anchor our communities.

Our progress is reflected in rising test scores, declining dropout rates and greater accountability in our schools.

Through community policing, thousands of safety cameras and the thoughtful use of technology, we dramatically reduced the rate of homicides and other violent crimes.

Our progress can be seen in the reinvention of public housing. The high rises that once were breeding grounds of hopelessness and despair have been torn down, and residents are rebuilding their lives.

Our progress includes the creation of tens of thousands of new units of affordable housing and apartments.

Our progress is represented by the hundreds of acres of new green space, hundreds of thousands of new trees and new roof gardens throughout the city, all of which have helped make Chicago an environmental leader and a healthier place to live.

And even as our neighborhoods have come alive, our downtown has been reborn.

Anchored by Millennium Park and the Museum Campus – and by new businesses and residential development – Chicago’s center city has a thumping heartbeat instead of a hollow core.

These and countless other examples of real progress have occurred even as we reduced the size of city government. These and other examples make Chicago a wonderful place to live and work for all of its citizens and embrace our diversity.

As we look to the future, my goal for the next four years will be to keep Chicago moving forward on behalf of all the people of our city, in every community.”

Ziff Anthony Sistrunk No Response

Syron M. Smith No Response

William Walls III No Response

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