In August 2005, Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich signed into the law the Illinois African-American HIV/AIDS Response Act. The law went into effect January 1, 2006.

Drafted by Let’s Talk Executive Director, Lloyd Kelly and presented by State Representative Constance A. “Connie” Howard, the ACT focuses on HIV prevention among African-Americans. At the time, the Act was the first legislation of its kind in the nation.

The law requires the state Illinois Department of Corrections and all county jails in the state to offer free HIV tests to inmates upon arrival, during their imprisonment and before they are released. HIV tests were previously available only at some jails in the state, and inmates were required to pay a small fee for the tests. The Act also requires prison officials to provide referrals for treatment and support services to all HIV-positive inmates upon release. The law also called for the a study, conducted by the HIV/AIDS Research and Policy Institute at Chicago State University, that investigates the links between imprisonment and HIV infection risks.

Additionally, the Act requires state offices, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles and public aid offices, in areas heavily populated with African-Americans to provide space to community and other groups offering HIV testing. The law also created the a new position with the state health department: African-American HIV/AIDS response officer. The incumbent would serve as a liaison between the Department of Public Health, the Department of Corrections, and the Governor’s office.

Download the full text of the Illinois African American HIV/AIDS Response Act. Download PDF