Chapter News

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is part of a broad coalition of more than a dozen cities, labor unions, and nonprofit organizations that today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education (ED).

Thank you to the social workers and social work students who called, e-mailed, and met with their legislators this month and helped to push House Bill 1085 across the finish line and pass in the Illinois Senate. The bill, which establishes minimum reimbursement rates for in-network behavioral health services, ensuring that mental health and substance use disorder treatment is covered by health insurance under fair terms, heads to the governor's desk where it is expected he wi

As NASW celebrates its seventieth anniversary, no one could have predicted that we would be in the midst of the second longest government shutdown in the nation’s history, and that funding for major programs such as SNAP would end on November 1st. It takes tremendous efforts to continue to practice and serve individuals, families, and communities against this backdrop. We have done this over our 70-year history and will continue our important work for years to come.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the largest professional social work organization in the nation, today sent a petition to President Trump and Congressional leaders, urging them to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) before funds run out on Nov. 1. An average of 41.7 million Americans use the program each month in our nation, and many face hunger if the benefits are cut.

The National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter (NASW-IL) condemns the recent escalation of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the Chicago region, including reports of raids, chemical agents, and aggressive enforcement tactics in Broadview and downtown. These actions have created fear and trauma in our communities and threaten both civil rights and community safety.

This year, the National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter (NASW-IL) is honoring the work of some exceptional Illinois social workers and individuals whose work promotes social justice and social change with and on behalf of the people and clients they serve.

As Illinois faces a worsening mental health and substance use crisis, House Bill 1085 Senate Amendment No. 3 (HB1085 SA3) stands as a critical opportunity to protect access to care and support providers. During this month’s veto session, we urge all NASW-Illinois Chapter members and allies to contact your state senators and ask them to vote YES on HB 1085 SA3.

Effective September 30, 2025, several telehealth flexibilities that were put into place during the COVID-19 pandemic expired and now require congressional actions to be renewed. As of today, lawmakers have not addressed the expirations. Clinical social workers should be aware of two expirations that may impact the way they practice: the geographic waiver and in-person requirement.

Lately, the ground has been shifting faster than we can find footing. You feel it. I feel it. Our clients live it. In the last few weeks, I’ve led beside social workers across Illinois who are exhausted by the emotional whiplash of serving through another season of instability.

NASW-IL Endorses Senator Karina Villa for IL State Comptroller