SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is sponsoring the 12th annual HIV/STD conference Tuesday (Nov. 4) through Thursday (Nov. 6) at the Renaissance Hotel, 701 E. Adams St. in Springfield.

More than 500 people are expected to attend the three-day conference, "Educate, Advocate, Collaborate," which is designed to provide professionals with new ideas and practical information regarding HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

The conference's keynote speaker will be Rory Kennedy, an independent documentary filmmaker and co-founder and co-president of Moxie Firecracker Films Inc. She will speak about "The AIDS Crisis" at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Plenary session speakers include Phil Wilson and the Rev. Dr. Susan Newman.

Wilson, the founder and executive director of the Black AIDS Institute and a co-founder of a number of AIDS service organizations and community-based organizations, will address the issue of health disparities in the 21st Century on Wednesday at 8:45 a.m. The Rev. Newman, pastor of Amistad St. Paul United Church of Christ in Maryland and author, will talk at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday about "Loving God and Loving Sex," and the struggle of trying to reconcile sexuality and spirituality.

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, chairwoman of the House Human Services Appropriations Committee, will deliver the welcoming remarks Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. and Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, will provide the welcoming remarks Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.

Dr. Whitaker also will discuss Project Brotherhood: A Black Men's Clinic in Woodlawn, which he helped found, in a speech Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. This innovative clinic uses free haircuts to entice African-American men, many of whom die prematurely from preventable disease, to visit. The clinic promotes a holistic approach to health and wellness that addresses physical as well as mental, vocational and spiritual needs.

The conference is from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 8:30 a.m. to noon Thursday.