Trump Administration Cuts Millions in Illinois HIV Prevention Grants

The cuts target family planning and HIV prevention programs, including $5.2 million from Lurie Children's Hospital.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Trump administration is planning to slash $600 million in public health grants for Illinois and three other Democrat-led states. At least $29 million in Illinois grants are on the chopping block, including city, state and other health centers' HIV prevention programs. The cuts specifically target family planning and HIV prevention programs, including $5.2 million in cuts for an HIV prevention program at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital.

Why it matters

The cuts will weaken hospitals, undermine disease tracking, and put lives at risk in the middle of real public health threats, according to critics. The move is seen as politically motivated, as the grants are being terminated because they 'do not reflect agency priorities'.

The details

The list of cuts represents a first wave, with the total anticipated to reach around $600 million. Other Illinois grants being cut include $441,625 to the Puerto Rican Cultural Center for its HIV prevention program, $600,000 for the Illinois Department of Public Health's HIV prevention and surveillance program, and $600,000 for the Chicago Department of Public Health's HIV prevention efforts. There are also several cuts linked to a program aimed at strengthening public health systems through national partnerships.

  • The cuts were announced on February 10, 2026.

The players

Trump Administration

The current presidential administration led by former President Donald Trump.

Lurie Children's Hospital

A children's hospital in Chicago that is losing $5.2 million in HIV prevention grants.

JB Pritzker

The Governor of Illinois, who criticized the cuts as an attempt 'to politicize and punish certain states President Trump does not like'.

Raja Krishnamoorthi

A U.S. Representative who criticized the cuts, saying they will 'weaken hospitals, undermine disease tracking, and put lives at risk'.

Travis Gayles

The chief executive officer of Howard Brown Health, who noted the cuts will impact surveillance and HIV prevention efforts that had led to declines in new infections.

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What they’re saying

“This is politically motivated cruelty masquerading as policy, and I will fight to reverse it.”

— Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. Representative (X)

“Over the past two years, the Chicago area has seen an increase in new HIV diagnoses, with a troubling number of individuals presenting with advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. This follows significant progress made during earlier Ending the Epidemic efforts under previous federal administrations, when expanded prevention, testing, and care initiatives led to measurable declines in new infections.”

— Travis Gayles, Chief Executive Officer, Howard Brown Health (Statement)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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