2026 NASW-IL Advocacy Day Recap

Over 500 social work students and professionals took part in lobbying in Springfield

More than 500 social work students and professionals came to Springfield to participate in this year's 2026 NASW-Illinois Chapter Advocacy Day on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. There they met with legislator and spoke directly to the issues shaping practice in Illinois.

From first-time advocates to experienced leaders, the day's participants showed what a coordinated, informed profession can do in a single day. That presence matters. Legislators notice who shows up—and what they ask for.

This Year's Priority Bills

We focused on two areas that affect both the profession and the people we serve:

• Protecting the professional degree standard in Illinois with HJR 0053

• Strengthening awareness and use of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline with SB 2771 and HB 4982

  
  

These were direct conversations with policymakers about active legislation. That input carries forward as these bills move.

Learn more about this year's bills at the links below:

• HJR 0053 Factsheet

• HJ4 0053 Policy Brief

• SB 2771 Factsheet

• SB 2771 Policy Brief

• HB 4982 Factsheet

• HB 4982 Policy Brief

The Work Continues

Advocacy Day is one step in a longer process. Here’s where things stand:

• HB 4982 has passed the House and is now in the Senate

• SB 2771 has passed the Senate and is moving through the House

• HJR 0053 is expected to be heard on the House floor soon

  
  

When votes are scheduled, you’ll get an action alert from us with clear next steps so you can contact your respective representative or senator at the right moment.

Thank You to Our Lobby Leaders!

Our lobby leaders set the pace for the day. They prepared participants, led meetings, and made sure every group was ready to speak with clarity and confidence.

Their work shaped the experience for everyone in the room and strengthened the message we brought to the Capitol.

2026 NASW-Illinois Chapter Lobby Leaders

• Alexandria Adebayo, Chicago State University

• Juliana Aguilar-Maganaa, University of St. Francis

• Margaret Bellew, Greenville university

• Zoey Bryson, University of Illinois Chicago

• Shannon Cameron, Aurora University (Repeat Lobby Leader!)

• Katie Cardona, University of Louisville

• Shreya Chaudhari, University of Illinois Chicago

• Selene Cortes Tapia, Northeastern Illinois University

• Isaac Coyne, University of Illinois Chicago

• Emily Dailey, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

• Isabella Davidsmeyer, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

• Tyrone Ealy, Greenville University

• Brandon Ebert, The Ohio State University (Repeat Lobby Leader!)

• Olivia Edmonds, SIU-Carbondale

• Quin Elmore, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

• Nicole Frydman, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

• Skylar Handler, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

• Nylah Jones, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

• Vonnetta Jones-Morgan, Governors State University

• Anvi Khanna, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

• Casimira Kwak, Governors State University

• Mary Lee, Lewis University

• John McCowin, Illinois State University

• Morgan Miller, Illinois State University

• Anneliese Moy, Loyola University of Chicago

• Karen Muhammad, Governors State University

• Ashley Orozco, University of St. Francis

• Kylie Petroski, Greenville University

• Charisma Pryor, University of Illinois Chicago

• Brionna Ramirez, Illinois State University

• Lourdes Rosales-Sanchez, Aurora University

• W. Winston Scott, SIU-Carbondale (Repeat Lobby Leader!)

• Monika Thomas, Governors State University

• Alicia Wallace, Illinois State University

• Kimberly Wiley, Aurora University

• Aliyah Williams, Governors State University

• Olivia Wols, Illinois State University

• Cassandra Wooden-Seawood, Erikson Institute

Why NASW Membership Matters

Advocacy like this doesn’t happen on its own. It’s built and sustained by members support.

NASW membership allows us to:

• Track and analyze legislation that affects your license and your work

• Provide timely guidance so you can respond with confidence

• Create opportunities for leadership, learning, and connection

• Represent the profession with a unified voice in Springfield

If you’re already a member, thank you for making this work possible.

If you joined us for Advocacy Day and aren’t yet a member, we hope you’ll consider joining today! Your membership helps ensure this a future for the profession in Illinois through consistent, coordinated advocacy across the year.

Now’s the time to take advantage of student savings too! Save over 74% on membership if you sign up before graduation!

Photos from Advocacy Day

See the day in action by browsing our photo gallery below or seeing the highlights on Facebook.