Chapter News

Successful advocacy is measured by more than the number of bills signed into law. Preventing harmful legislation from advancing, negotiating improvements before passage, and educating lawmakers on the impact of proposed policy are all part of the work. The NASW-Illinois Chapter remained actively engaged on all of those fronts throughout this session.

Although it is very difficult to put aside the foreboding feeling many of us in the social work community have at this time, it is also important to look at the core values laid out in our code of ethics—those of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity and competence—and celebrate how these have helped shaped and strengthened our country. However, you spend your Independence Day weekend, please keep these positive

The NASW-Illinois Chapter joins with 44 other leading human service, advocacy, and legal organizations today to issue the following statement denouncing the June 18 legal opinion issued by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel, which seeks to dismantle one of the nation’s most important civil rights for people with disabilities: the right to receive services in their own homes and communities.

The NASW-Illinois Chapter Ethics Committee (NASW-IL EC) is seeking new members. This is a great opportunity for chapter members to guide and lead the chapter in the exploration of new territory and expanding our vision in all ethical areas. By joining the Ethics Committee, you aren’t just interpreting rules—you are building the resources, leading the training, and driving the advocacy that protects both our clients and our peers.

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

Be wary of employers advertising clinical positions for Licensed Social Workers and listing them as 1099 independent contractor roles. It's illegal in IL, and the consequences for both the LSW and the organization can be severe.

NASW National has embraced a three-state chapter model designed to strengthen the collective impact of our chapters and expand what we are able to deliver to members.

These individuals will work to represent and serve you on the NASW-Illinois Chapter Leadership Council starting July 1, 2026.

Thank you to the over 500 social work students and social work professionals who joined us last week at our annual 2026 NASW-Illinois Chapter Advocacy Day on Wednesday, April 15, 2026! This year's brought participants to the Illinois Capitol Building to meet with their direct legislators and advocate for key issues affecting the social work profession this session.

This step-by-step overview is designed to help first-time LCSW applicants prepare to complete the online LCSW license application.

The 2026 NASW-Illinois Chapter Elections will take place from April 1–30, 2026.

Conversion ‘therapy’ is not therapy. It is abuse, and it causes documented psychological damage. No ethical social worker or mental health clinician should be engaging in this practice, full stop, regardless of what any court decides. We stand with the legislators and advocates who have spent more than a decade fighting to protect LGBTQ+ youth in this state, and we will keep fighting alongside them.

So, to the Illinois General Assembly, here's the NASW-Illinois Chapter's humble suggestion—raise their taxes and fund school social workers with the revenue.

With graduation season approaching, this step-by-step overview is designed to help first-time LSW applicants prepare early, submit quickly, and enter the profession alongside their peers.

The engagement of social workers and social work students around this issue reflects the 2026 Social Work Month theme of "Uplift, Defend. Transform." By submitting a public comment, we are advocating to ensure social work retains its professional degree status and continued access to federal financial aid.

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.

For first-time LSW and LCSW applicants who are beginning to apply for social work licensure in Illinois, you may now utilize IDFPR's new licensing system CORE for licensure.

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 Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is accepting applications for their Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Program through June 30, 2026.