Chapter News

The National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter (NASW-IL) announced its endorsed candidates for the November 3, 2026, Illinois General Election, highlighting the critical role state leadership will play as social workers and human service systems face growing uncertainty at the federal level.

NASW's Practice Team reviewed the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule and submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing numerous topics that may impact social workers, other healthcare providers, and beneficiaries.

Social workers often have the privilege and responsibility of seeing around corners. Our proximity to people, communities, systems, and policy gives us an extraordinary field of vision. We hear what families are experiencing while decisions are still unfolding and often recognize where pressure will land before its full impact is visible.

The NASW-Illinois Chapter Ethics Committee recognizes that recent changes to Medicaid eligibility and renewal requirements may place individuals and families at increased risk of losing healthcare coverage, disrupting continuity of care, and encountering additional administrative barriers to essential services.

A recent federal court decision shows how a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling on mental health counseling, Chiles v. Salazar, is beginning to influence other legal disputes involving licensed mental health professionals. As the leading resource for the social work profession, NASW is committed to helping members understand important legal developments that may affect practice, licensure, and client care.

The NASW-Illinois Chapter is seeking an experienced Illinois licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) to serve as the Founding Clinical Fellow for Supervision Access for Equity (SAE), an innovative workforce initiative designed to remove financial barriers to clinical licensure and strengthen the behavioral health workforce.

In follow-up to passage of House Bill 1085 (HB1085) late last month, Heather O'Donnell, Director of Behavioral Health Strategy at DuPage County Health Department, shared the following information regarding the bill. Please read through the following to learn more about HB1085 which establishes minimum reimbursement rates for in-network behavioral health services.

The NASW-Illinois Chapter is pleased to welcome Lyannie Gomez as the new NASW Political Action for Candidate Election (NASW PACE) Field Organizer for Illinois. Lyannie is passionate about social work, advocacy, civic engagement, and community organizing.

Over the past year, social workers across Illinois have stepped up to serve their communities as the presence of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents has increased. Social workers have taken the responsibility of putting boots on the ground to be advocates, case managers, and literal shields to protect the constitutional rights and safety of their clients, but also their own neighbors, teachers, paleteros, and, in the most heart-wrenching instances,

This Tips & Tools for Social Workers provides information on three central themes to support CSWs with continued learning: How AI is being used by CSWs, ethical and legal considerations, and AI limitations.