Individual | Inducted 2024
As president and CEO of AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) since 2014, John Peller is a leader across health care, policy, philanthropy, harm reduction, and housing sectors. Under Peller’s leadership, AFC serves more than 8,000 people each year, including housing nearly 2,000 people, and AFC’s revenue has increased from $20 million to $45.5 million. Diversity in AFC staff, leadership, and board composition has greatly expanded, and John has prioritized amplifying campaigns led by people with lived experience of homelessness and chronic illness.
Peller led national advocacy efforts during the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”), working to ensure federal and state health care systems would meet the needs of people with HIV. He successfully advocated for people living with HIV to be included and supported through Medicaid policy, federal and state budget appropriations, and the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). Through advocacy and leadership, Peller secured a record 2017 state budget allocation of $25.4 million for HIV care and services and spearheaded the PrEP4Illinois free and low-cost PrEP program. Under Peller’s leadership, AFC led a coalition that decriminalized HIV in Illinois in 2021. During his tenure at AFC, the LGBTQ+ program Pride Action Tank was launched and is a program of AFC that has led several initiatives, including successful advocacy for all-gender restrooms.
Peller’s keen understanding of how health care and policy intersect and his support for innovative practices have established him as a national leader in the HIV field, greatly improving quality of life and health for the LGBTQ+ community in Chicago and beyond.