Chapter News

This year's annual conference has been announced! This year's 2026 NASW Chapters Virtual Conference: Strength in Action - How We Uplift, Defend, & Transform will be a two-day conference hosted alongside the NASW-Nevada Chapter.

We’re thrilled to invite you to share your expertise and passion at the 2026 NASW Chapters Virtual Conference: Strength in Action - How We Uplift, Defend, & Transform! Join fellow social work professionals from across Illinois and Nevada as we gather to explore innovative approaches and best practices in mental health.

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

For the social work licensure cycle starting on December 1, 2025, and expiring on November 30, 2027, all Illinois LSWs and LCSWs who are renewing their license for a second or subsequent time must fulfill the following continuing education requirements. All requirements must be obtained by the November 30, 2027, deadline to maintain your license.

Many social workers have been wondering how the recent shutdown of the federal government affected Medicare annual enrollment for calendar year 2026. Similarly, questions have arisen regarding the impact of recent changes within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the enactment of the July 2025 budget reconciliation law (P.L. 119-21, also known as H.R. 1) on Medicare coverage for the upcoming calendar year.

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

I lead with the belief that presence, courage, and care change outcomes. Across Illinois, I continue to see social workers do what this moment requires. You steady families, navigate complex systems, and keep moving because people are counting on you. This month, I want to share how we have been strengthening our tools so we can serve with even more clarity and impact in the months ahead.

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.