Like many of you, the NASW-Illinois Chapter (NASW-IL) has been closely following news and updates regarding the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus), particularly as it impacts large gatherings and events in the state.
After much consideration and the wavering levels of uncertainty around COVID-19 spreading in Illinois, as well as the many health risks involved in holding large events, the NASW-Illinois Chapter has decided to cancel our 2020 Advocacy Day on Thursday, April 2, 2020, and the lobby leaders training the previous day on Wednesday, April 1, 2020.
While we are hopefully being overly cautious regarding this decision, we have reached a point where we could no longer wait to let participants know if the event would continue or not.
We will be developing and suggesting alternatives to the event—these may include encouraging students to visit legislators in their home districts, online action alerts, or additional actions regarding current evolving NASW-IL–supported legislation.
If you still plan to travel to Springfield in smaller groups or wish to schedule in-district events, please do not hesitate to reach out to us so that we can assist you where possible. If you would like to request a visit by NASW-Illinois Chapter staff regarding advocacy efforts, please let us know.
Again, it was not an easy decision to cancel our most effective advocacy event of the year, but the health and safety of the hundreds of workers in the state capital, all participants, and the populations they serve is paramount. The NASW-Illinois Chapter encourages all of you to heed the advice of health experts. You can read about suggestions for taking care of yourself and your clients against the spread of the coronavirus here.