Chapter News

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

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.

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

Ask NASW-IL: Who’s a Qualified CEU Provider, What’s Needed of Remote Programs, and More About Specialty CEU Requirements

The Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has begun to allow for social work licensure renewal through the IDFPR Online Services Portal. Even if you haven't received your e-mail notice from the department, all Illinois social work licenses will expire unless renewed by November 30, 2025.

Here is a roundup of the biggest mistakes we’re hearing about from our members, and how to stay out of hot water.

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.

This is my first letter to you NASW-Illinois Chapter President, and I want to begin by saying how honored I am to serve this powerful community of social workers. I step into this role with humility, hope, and deep respect for the strength and resilience of our profession.

Beginning January 1, 2026, any LCSW applicant utilizing the alternative to the ASWB clinical exam must obtain their additional 3,000 hours of supervised professional work experience while holding a valid LSW or Professional Educator License with School Support Personnel Endorsements in School Social Work

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.

Get ready for the upcoming November 30th deadline for Illinois social work licensure renewal!

Following recent changes made by the state to social work continluing eduation requirements, we have updated our NASW-IL CE Worksheet...

Registration is now open for this year's 2025 NASW Chapters Virtual Conference: Mental Health - Compassion + Action will be a two-day live virtual conference hosted with our sibling chapters, NASW-Nevada and NASW-North Dakota.

If you were not able to attend the 2025 NASW National Conference which Illinois hosted from June 15–19, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, you missed an incredible week of education, networking, and fellowship. Setting attendance records with over 2,000 people in attendance including over 400 Illinois attendees, the conference marked the first time in many years that our association ventured out of Washington, DC. 

Nominations are now being accepted for the annual NASW-Illinois Chapter Social Work Awards!

The state requires that all Illinois social workers who work with children must fulfill the mandated reporter training with implicit bias section requirement once every three licensure cycles (i.e., one in every six years).