Chapter News

House Bill 4826 (HB4826) would strengthen the integrity and quality of continuing education for licensed professionals in Illinois by ensuring that CE credit cannot be awarded for courses that teach practices or actions that are prohibited under Illinois law. This is an important step in protecting both practitioners and the communities we serve while reinforcing clear, ethical, and legally compliant professional standards.

The Department of Education is currently accepting comments on the rule change which would remove social work as a professional degree through March 2, 2026. We ask that all social workers submit their comments on this change through the Federal eRulemaking Portal before March 2, 2026. 

January marked the beginning of the 2026 Illinois Spring Legislative Session.

The National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter (NASW-IL) announced its endorsed candidates for the March 17, 2026 Illinois Primary Election, highlighting the critical role state leadership will play as social workers and human service systems face growing uncertainty at the federal level.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has long warned against fear-based policies that rely on force instead of care.Force militarized responses being carried out by ICE result in significant trauma to the communities we serve.

The National Association of Social Workers stands today in solidarity with Jews around the world in the global fight against antisemitism.

The National Association of Social Workers stands today in solidarity with Jews around the world in the global fight against antisemitism.

Today marks a historic victory for compassion, dignity, and self-determination in Illinois. The NASW-Illinois Chapter is proud to have supported the Illinois Medical Aid in Dying bill which was signed into law today by Governor J. B. Pritzker and restores choice and autonomy for terminally ill individuals facing unbearable suffering.

Mental health, legal, LGBTQ+, and survivor-advocacy organizations have come together to release a critical new resource: the Illinois Guide for Survivors of Conversion Practices. This comprehensive guide provides Illinois residents who have experienced harmful conversion therapy with clear information on their rights, how to report practitioners, and pathways to pursue accountability (both through civil action and professional licensing channels

Essential to the success of our annual Advocacy Day is the NASW-Illinois Chapter Lobby Leaders Program.

This year's NASW-Illinois Chapter Advocacy Day will take place on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Springfield, IL.

NASW is currently at work with coalitions to send a unified message while local state chapters are sending out action alerts and reaching out to elected officials.

This year's annual NASW-Illinois Chapter Advocacy Day has been announced for Wednesday, April 15, 2026!

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. 

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 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.

NASW-IL Endorses Senator Karina Villa for IL State Comptroller

Governor JB Pritzker has officially signed House Bill 1806, the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources (WOPR) Act, into law, making Illinois one of the first states in the country to directly prohibit AI from impersonating a licensed mental health professional.

From regulating AI in therapy to securing new clinical supervision funding, this work is the result of collective action—it only happens because of you thanks to your membership, your advocacy, and your commitment to social work values.

If lawmakers fail to pass HB1085 sponsored by Sen. Karina Villa, the mental health workforce crisis in Illinois will deepen, and access to care will become a privilege reserved for the wealthy.