The Illinois Lottery has earned national recognition for its innovative approach to specialty lottery tickets that raise awareness and funds for important causes within local communities.
In a move that marks its most impactful initiative yet, the Illinois Lottery has launched a joint specialty instant ticket, the 7X Bingo Multiplier, designed to support ten different causes, prominently including HIV/AIDS prevention education and treatment.
This ticket, which costs $5, is available at over 7,000 Illinois Lottery retailers statewide, making it easily accessible to the public.
With its vibrant spring green background and colorful design, the 7X Bingo Multiplier ticket is not only an opportunity to win up to $200,000 but a means to contribute to critical services for Illinois residents living with AIDS and HIV.
A portion of every ticket purchase is directed toward organizations that aid individuals from local communities affected by these health issues, reinforcing the Illinois Lottery’s commitment to social responsibility and community support.
In the context of this initiative, Transforming ReEntry Services, a local nonprofit based in Chicago, plays a vital role in providing support for individuals living with HIV and AIDS, particularly those who are navigating life after incarceration.
Founded in 1982 by Reverend Doris Green, and formerly known as Men & Women In Prison Ministries (MWIPM), Transforming ReEntry Services specializes in helping formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into their communities.
The organization has expanded its services in recent years, catering to the unique challenges faced by those living with chronic health conditions such as HIV/AIDS, as they seek stability in housing, employment, and healthcare.
According to a 2015 estimate by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), 1.5 percent of the state’s incarcerated population had received a positive HIV diagnosis.
With approximately 24,000 people released from Illinois prisons in 2019, as reported by the Prison Policy Initiative in 2024, the need for dedicated HIV and AIDS support services is more pressing than ever.
Transforming ReEntry Services has responded to this demand by providing critical support and resources to over 2,500 individuals in the reentry population across 33 communities in Chicago’s south and west sides in 2024 alone.
“Life after incarceration can be full of hope and opportunity, but the transition can be overwhelmingly complex,” explains Russell J. Jackson Sr., deputy director of Transforming ReEntry Services.
“The goal was to help people coming home from prison or jail transition back into society as smoothly as possible.
We assist them in obtaining essential documents such as their Social Security card, birth certificate, and state ID, which are necessary for accessing any other resources.”
In response to the healthcare needs identified within their client base, Transforming ReEntry Services has prioritized health and wellness in its mission, with specific programs focused on HIV and AIDS prevention and education.
The Illinois Lottery’s specialty ticket program has provided funding that enables the organization to offer crucial programs for HIV and AIDS screenings, case management services, and education regarding prevention methods.
Jackson, who has experience as a case manager within the organization, emphasizes the compassionate, non-judgmental approach they adopt.
“We meet individuals where they are in their health journey—whether that includes getting them transportation to medical appointments or ensuring they have access to their medications,” he explains.
Education and testing remain vital components of their work, especially given that many individuals who return home from prison may be unaware of their HIV status.
Through funding from the Lottery, Transforming ReEntry Services can offer educational resources concerning HIV and AIDS prevention and the latest medical advancements, such as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis).
Although Transforming ReEntry Services does not provide clinical services, the organization collaborates with healthcare partners, such as Howard Brown and Alliance Care 360, to ensure clients receive the healthcare support they require.
Most staff members at Transforming ReEntry Services have received certification from IDPH, enabling them to conduct non-clinical HIV screenings in the community and at their offices on the south and west sides of Chicago.
These community outreach efforts are further bolstered by Lottery funding that supports harm reduction services aimed at minimizing the adverse effects of drug use and decreasing incidents of HIV transmission.
In November 2020, Transforming ReEntry Services became the first Black woman-led syringe access program in Illinois, making a significant impact on communities at risk on the south and west sides.
Through proactive outreach efforts, the organization distributes clean syringes and supplies, as well as life-saving medications like Naloxone and Narcan, to help prevent overdoses and promote safety among drug users.
“We’re out there just trying to keep people alive, transitioning our services as needed according to the demands of the community,” Jackson states.
With continued support from ticket sales, the organization aims to maintain and expand its vital work in the fight against HIV and AIDS, assisting reentry populations and beyond.
You can contribute to the transformative efforts of Transforming ReEntry Services and support individuals living with HIV and AIDS by purchasing a 7X Bingo Multiplier Instant Ticket from the Illinois Lottery.
For more information about Transforming ReEntry Services and to learn more about their impactful work, please visit transformingreentry.org.
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