November 27, 1996

LIGHTS AT STATE BUILDINGS TO BE DIMMED TO COMMEMORATE WORLD AIDS DAYSPRINGFIELD, IL -- Gov. Jim Edgar today announced the Capitol dome lights and lights at state government buildings in Chicago will be dimmed for 15 minutes on Dec. 1 to commemorate the nation's ninth annual observance of World AIDS Day and to remember those living with HIV and AIDS and those who have died with the disease.

"This is a day of remembering those lost to this deadly disease and those who live courageously with HIV/AIDS every day," the Governor said. "It also is a day to remember that HIV/AIDS can be prevented and to renew our commitment to increasing public awareness about how this disease is spread and how it can be prevented."

Dome lighting and holiday lights at the Capitol will be turned off at 6:45 p.m., as will lights at the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St., Chicago, and the State of Illinois Building, 160 N. LaSalle St., Chicago.

Edgar also proclaimed Dec. 1 as AIDS Awareness Day and announced the Illinois Department of Public Health will honor an individual and two organizations with the state's third annual World AIDS Day Award for exceptional merit. Dr. John R. Lumpkin, state public health director, will present the awards Dec. 2 during a noon ceremony in the Capitol rotunda.

Dr. David Lucks, an infectious disease specialist from Aurora, will receive the individual award for a decade of dedication to providing medical treatment and compassion to people and families confronting HIV/AIDS.

The organizations to be recognized are the HIV team at Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, and WHBF-TV, Rock Island. The hospital HIV team members are to be honored for their extraordinary care for 173 HIV-affected children. WHBF-TV and producer Ken Gullette are to receive a special media award for their production of a series of reports on the life of Robb Dussliere, who died this spring from AIDS complications.

Individuals to receive honorable mention awards are Dr. Darren Wethers, an HIV/AIDS primary care physician in the St. Louis Metro-East area; and Omar N. Lopez, executive director of C.A.L.O.R., a not-for-profit agency in Chicago committed to providing prevention education and support to members of the Latino community.

The organization receiving an honorable mention award is Bethany Place, Belleville, an AIDS service organization whose volunteers emphasize client wellness, independence and quality of life.

Lights are scheduled to be dimmed across the country Dec. 1 at private and public buildings, including the White House, to recognize World AIDS Day, which this year focuses on "One World, One Hope."

Since 1981, there have been 18,315 reported cases of AIDS in Illinois. Of those diagnosed with AIDS, 11,919, or 65 percent, have died. Illinois has the sixth highest total of AIDS cases in the nation.

Persons with questions about AIDS, HIV or state-sponsored counseling and testing services may call the toll-free Illinois AIDS hotline at 1-800-AID-AIDS or 1-800-782-0423 (TTY for the hearing impaired), between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Illinois Department of Public Health 535 West Jefferson Street Springfield, Illinois 62761 Phone 217-782-4977 Fax 217-782-3987 TTY 800-547-0466 Questions or Comments