Category Archives: HIV AIDS LEGAL COUNCIL
Legal Council for Health Justice
Acclaimed Chicago-area HIV Legal Services Nonprofit Expands Mission, Changes Name to “Legal Council for Health Justice”
One of the region’s most respected nonprofit organizations, AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, is changing its name to Legal Council for Health Justice. The new name reflects an agency expansion from single-disease services and advocacy on behalf of individuals and families impacted by HIV/AIDS to more broadly use the power of the law to build better lives across the lifespan of vulnerable people and communities challenged by chronic, disabling, and stigmatized health conditions.
The change is the result of an 18-month transformation which merged three established nonprofit programs — AIDS Legal Council, Homeless Outreach Project, and Chicago Medical-Legal Partnership for Children – under one roof. In doing so, the agency has created one of the largest independent organizations in the country built entirely around delivery of legal services through models of care known as medical-legal partnerships (“MLPs”), forming a Midwestern hub of MLP program and policy development.
The medical-legal partnership approach aims to improve the well-being of people and communities by leading health, public health, and legal sectors in an integrated, “upstream” approach to combatting health-harming social conditions. The three programs will keep their names and continue to each grow high-quality education, client service, and policy work – just under the ‘umbrella’ of the new agency name. Current health and human service partners include Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center, Fantus Clinic, La Rabida Children’s Hospital, Comer Children’s Hospital, Lurie Children’s Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Howard Brown Health Center, TPAN, Austin Health Center, Friend Family Health Center, and Breakthrough Urban Ministries.
In the past fiscal year, agency programs have trained more than 1000 clinicians and clients, provided direct legal representation to almost 1500 adults, children, and their families, and made significant contributions to improving access and engagement in community well-being and economic security. Notably, AIDS Legal Council partnered with AIDS Foundation of Chicago with pro bono assistance from law firm Jenner & Block to make Illinois the first state in the nation to explicitly prohibit discrimination against persons with HIV in insurance plans. Since then, insurers across the nation have voluntarily followed suit. Similarly, Chicago Medical-Legal Partnership for Children was instrumental in protecting eligibility for Early Intervention, an early childhood program that helps close the gaps for infants and toddlers with developmental delays, from being cut in half. This program was also the force behind a key report in 2015 that triggered successful legislation (Public Act 099-0325) ensuring that students in charter schools have the same health and safety protections as students in district-run public schools statewide.
Most recently, the agency has been in the news for its leadership in two class action lawsuits to spur the State of Illinois to release payments for Medicaid-funded health services to medical providers statewide (Memisovski v. Maram and Beeks v. Bradley) despite a state budget impasse which began on July 1, 2015. This effort is the result of a decades-long collaboration between the Legal Council for Health Justice and the Shriver Center with pro bono assistance from law firm Goldberg Kohn. The litigation is presently pending.
Soul Train at Sidetrack August 20th
Remember Soul Train??
IF NOT, CLICK HERE AND WATCH!
Soul Train was a musical variety television program, which aired in from 1971 until 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul and hip hop artists, although funk, disco , and gospel artists have also appeared. The series was created by Don Cornelius, who also served as its first host and executive producer.
NOW, you can Take funky trip on the Soul Train with ALCC! Join us on Wednesday, August 20, for their annual summer bash. They will be dealin’ some good feelings on the hippest trip in America!
Cocktails, scrumptious fare, sweet tunes, prizes, and an incredible silent auction await you.
All Aboard the SOUL TRAIN!
AIDS Legal Council of Chicago
Wednesday, August 20, 2014 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Tickets start at $50.
ALCC brings SOUL TRAIN party to Sidetrack for August
SOUL TRAIN theme! Love it!
AIDS Legal Council of Chicago (ALCC) is proud to announce that its annual summer benefit is set for Wednesday, August 20, from 6 to 9pm at Sidetrack in Chicago.
This year’s theme is Soul Train and will feature cocktails by Sidetrack the Video Bar, specialty catering by Food for Thought, entertainment, a grand raffle, and a spectacular silent auction.
The auction will be done via mobile bidding at the event and online for those who are unable to attend. The auction will open online one week prior to the event and close at 8:30pm on August 20. Raffle and silent auction prizes include round-trip tickets to Europe courtesy of Orbitz; Chicago neighborhood entertainment and food packages; professional sports tickets; a Tesla Motors package; and hotel stays from various brands such as Hilton, Kimpton, Swissotel, Caesars Palace, Maui Sunseeker, Millennium, and more.
Tickets, which benefit ALCC’s free legal service programs, are just $50 and can be purchased at www.soultrain2014.eventbrite.com or by calling 312-427-8990.
AIDS Legal Council of Chicago uses the power of the law to secure health, dignity, and stability for people impacted by HIV and other life-changing health conditions.
LOST IN SPACE @ Sidetrack – benefit for ALCC August 14th
the incredible silent auction.
hot swag bag) plus 130 other auction items if you join us on August 14 at Sidetrack The Video Bar.
AIDS Legal Council of Chicago Summer Benefit, Lost in Space August 14 at Sidetrack
Lost in Space will
offer attendees a chance to explore the galaxies through amazing
cocktails, food, and prizes, plus a spectacular silent auction with more
than 150 items from businesses from across Chicagoland. Raffle prizes
include round-trip tickets to South America courtesy of Orbitz, hotel
stays courtesy of Kimpton Hotels, and neighborhood packages from around
the city. As ALCC continues to commemorate 25 years of service, this
event will be its biggest and best benefit yet.
Tickets, which include cocktails, food, and entertainment, are just $50 and can be purchased at
www.lostinspace2013.Founded
twenty-five years ago, ALCC uses the power of the law to provide to
provide health, dignity, and stability for people with HIV and their
families. The Council provides free direct legal services to people in
need, educates the public about HIV-related legal issues, and advocates
for social policies that ensure fair treatment for all people affected
by HIV.
AIDS Legal Council of Chicago 25th Anniversary May 9th
25 years!
Anniversary at Benefit
on May 9th
AIDS Legal Council of Chicago (“ALCC”)
is set to host “A Salute to ALCC” on Thursday, May 9 at Kirkland and
Ellis LLP. The benefit will serve to commemorate twenty-five years of
ALCC improving the lives of low-income people and their families
impacted by HIV. The evening will feature innovative food, open bar,
music, and prizes.
The event will bring together ALCC supporters from a quarter century of
service: past and present board members, staff, and interns, as well as
individual and corporate supporters.
“The response from the
community surrounding our 25th anniversary has been tremendous, and we
look forward to a wonderful evening to commemorate the life-saving legal
work that the Council does each day. The HIV epidemic continues to grow
and impact more and more communities. Thanks to the wonderful support
from our community and corporate partners, ALCC will be here as long as
we are needed,” said ALCC Executive Director Ann Hilton Fisher.
Over 200 people are anticipated to attend “A Salute to ALCC” on May 9th. Tickets start at just $50 and are available at ONLINE NOW.
Special thanks to our event sponsors: Kirkland & Ellis,
Sidley Austin, Winston & Strawn, McDermott Will & Emery, Jenner
& Block, DLA Piper, Mayer Brown, Schiff Hardin, Marshall Gerstein
& Borun, Clark Hill, Wintersteen & Dunning, Reed Smith,
Sidetrack, BestGayChicago.com, ChicagoPride.com, The L Stop, and Windy
City Media Group.
Incorporated in 1988, AIDS Legal Council of Chicago offers free legal
assistance to people with HIV and their families; educates service
providers, HIV-positive individuals and their families, and the general
public through comprehensive education and training programs; and
advocates statewide and nationally for fair treatment of those with HIV
and their families.
Illinois’ subsidized high risk health insurance pool IPXP to stop accepting applications March 2nd, 2013
care reform announced this past Friday that the subsidized plans that
are currently insuring more than 100,000 individuals nationwide, will be
closing their doors to new enrollees months before other coverage is
available on the new insurance exchanges.
Although
most of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act do not become
effective until January 1, 2014, the law set up interim plans, called
“Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans” for people who could not buy
health insurance on the private market because of serious health
conditions, including HIV. In Illinois, the state opened the Illinois
Pre-Existing Insurance Plan (“IPXP”) in August 2010. Approximately 3000
people now have insurance though IPXP. Although those people currently
enrolled in those plans will continue to have coverage until January 1,
2014, when they will be able to move to private insurance coverage,
Friday’s announcement means that no new applications will be accepted
after March 2, 2013.
Ann
Fisher, Executive Director of AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, explained
why this is bad news for people with HIV or any other pre-existing
condition that blocks them from getting private insurance. “IPXP has
been an important source of health care coverage for people with HIV,
including people on the AIDS Drug Assistance Program whose income
climbs above 300% of the federal poverty level (about $35,000) but do
not have health insurance on the job and cannot afford to pay for their
medications themselves. “ The state has been able to refer those
individuals to IPXP, and to help pay the IPXP premiums, so that they do
not lose access to their medications.
Fisher
explained that IPXP was always meant to be a temporary program, set to
expire once pre-existing conditions no longer prevent people from buying
insurance. “But,” she added “we always assumed that IPXP would
continue to accept new enrollees until very close to January 1st.”
“It appears,” she added,” that IPXP is a victim of its own success.
There was a limited pool of money available for the plans, and in order
to make sure they can continue to pay claims of current enrollees, they
now have to cut off future ones.”
AIDS
Legal Council is getting out the word about the closing of enrollment,
and encouraging anyone who has been without insurance for at least six
months to quickly apply for IPXP. NOW!!
ALCC is available to answer questions or assist with the enrollment process and can be reached at 312-427-8990.
Founded
25 years ago, AIDS Legal Council of Chicago works to preserve, promote,
and protect the legal rights of men, women, children, and families in
the metropolitan Chicago area impacted by HIV and AIDS. The Council
provides free direct legal services to people in need, educates the
public about HIV-related legal issues, and advocates for social policies
that ensure fair treatment for all people affected by HIV and AIDS.
Chicago Jazz Musician Justin Hayford at Davenports Benefit Jan 20 and 27th
Chicago Jazz Musician Justin Hayford Plays Gershwin at Davenport’s
Fourth annual benefit for AIDS Legal Council of Chicago
On January 20th and 27that
7pm, Chicago musician Justin Hayford will host “The Gershwins in Love,”
evening of classic Gershwin love songs—from the sublime to the
ridiculous. This is the fourth annual benefit for AIDS Legal Council of
Chicago (“ALCC”) at Davenport’s Piano Bar in Wicker Park. Hayford, who
just released his fourth studio album on December 1, will treat
attendees to well-loved Gershwin hits like I’ve Got a Crush on You, ’Swonderful, Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off, They All Laughed, and Someone to Watch Over Me. Fans should also be prepared for a few rarities that few have ever heard. Hayford has been called “a superb talent” by the Chicago Tribune and a “hip piano-playing saloon singer who should be heard more often” by Rex Reed.
All
proceeds raised from “The Gershwins in Love” shows go directly to AIDS
Legal Council of Chicago. Attendees simply pay whatever they like at
the end of the show.
Reservations can be made online at davenportspianobar.com or by phone at 773-278-1830.
Founded in 1987, AIDS Legal Council of Chicago works to preserve,
promote, and protect the legal rights of men, women, children, and
families in the metropolitan Chicago area impacted by HIV
and
AIDS. The Council provides free direct legal services to people in
need, educates the public about HIV-related legal issues, and advocates
for social policies that ensure fair treatment for all people affected by HIV and AIDS.
Chicago Jazz Crooner Justin Hayford Releases fourth CD: 100% of proceeds benefit AIDS Legal Council of Chicago
On December 1, 2012, Chicago crooner Justin Hayford releases his fourth CD, Here I’ll Stay, on the LML Music label. It will be released as a digital download through Bandcamp.com, where people can pay any amount they choose for the CD. AND All proceeds will go directly to AIDS Legal Council of Chicago. HOW COOL IS THAT?!
CD can be downloaded at Justinhayford.bandcamp.com..
Jazz crooner Justin Hayford has been called “a superb talent” by the Chicago Tribune and a “hip piano-playing saloon singer who should be heard more often” by Rex Reed.
Cyndi Lauper Meet & Greet Nov. 11th
CHECK THIS OUT! MEET & GREET WITH CYNDI LAUPER!
| Get Kinky with ALCC and Cyndi Lauper! | |
| Join ALCC on Thursday, October 11 at a pre-Broadway performance of Kinky Boots – The Musical and a cocktail reception with the one-and-only Cyndi Lauper! All tickets purchased through ALCC include access to a private reception |
|
Kinky Boots will strut its stuff thru -Nov. 2 at the Bank of America Theatre in Chicago, prior to a 2013 Broadway arrival. Kinky Boots is produced by Tony winners Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig.
Based on the 2005 British film of the same title, the musical has a score by Lauper, with a book by Tony winner Harvey Fierstein (Torch Song Trilogy, La Cage aux Folles, Newsies) and direction and choreography by Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (2004’s La Cage aux Folles, Legally Blonde, Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can).
How do you get a photo with the amazing Cyndi Lauper?
Through
AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, that’s how! A private reception followed
by Kinky Boots during its world-premiere run…October 11 only!
TICKETS ARE ALMOST GONE!!
KINKY BOOTS in Chicago with Cyndi Lauper Benefit Night Oct. 11
Kinky Boots will strut its stuff Oct. 4-Nov. 2 at the Bank of America Theatre in Chicago, prior to a 2013 Broadway arrival. Kinky Boots is produced by Tony winners Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig.
Based on the 2005 British film of the same title, the musical has a score by Lauper, with a book by Tony winner Harvey Fierstein (Torch Song Trilogy, La Cage aux Folles, Newsies) and direction and choreography by Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (2004’s La Cage aux Folles, Legally Blonde, Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can).
CHECK THIS OUT!
| Get Kinky with ALCC and Cyndi Lauper! | |
| Join ALCC on Thursday, October 11 at a pre-Broadway performance of Kinky Boots – The Musical and a cocktail reception with the one-and-only Cyndi Lauper! All tickets purchased through ALCC include access to a private reception |
|
Planet J Pop benefit for ALCC August 15th
Strap yourself in and hang on tight because ALCC is going to take you out of this world! Join us at Sidetrack on Wednesday, August 15th 2012 as we blast off to Planet J-Pop
to see the world of Japan as you’ve never seen it before.
Amazing
drinks, prizes, music and catering by Indie Cafe await you, plus a spectacular silent auction with more than 150 items from the places you love.
(Indie Café has become an Edgewater hotspot and a true Chicago original
gaining acclaim from food magazines and satisfying palates.)
Cocktails, food, entertainment, raffle (a trip to Japan, hotel stays,
other amazing stuff), silent auction…just $50 for all this!
Our 25th anniversary summer Sidetrack party is one you and your friends won’t want to miss!
All
the dollars raised go toward AIDS Legal Council of Chicago’s free legal
services to men, women, children, and families impacted by HIV…plus our
amazing educational programs. The AIDS Legal Council of
Chicago is the only organization in Illinois devoted solely to
preserving and protecting the legal rights of men, women and children
who are living with HIV. Every year the Council assists thousands of
people through its free legal services, community education programs and
public policy advocacy.
