From the Pen of the Executive Director: January 2026
- NASW-IL Staff
- a few seconds ago
- 2 min read
Joel L. Rubin, MSW, LSW, ACSW, CAE
NASW-Illinois Chapter Executive Director
The challenging year of 2025 is now over, with many more challenges ahead in 2026. Our profession and our values have been under a great deal of scrutiny, but we continue to persevere here in Illinois and nationally. It is important to not lose sight of that.
2025 was a year of achievements for social work in Illinois. Some of these achievements included:
The passage of the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources (WOPR) Act into law. Illinois became one of the first states to establish clear legal guardrails protecting mental health care from unregulated AI systems posing as therapists
Together with a range of coalition partners, passage of House Bill 1085 which establishes minimum reimbursement rates for in-network behavioral health services.
Quality professional development, including our annual chapters virtual conference this past November in which over 500 attendees participated
Hosting over 2,000 social workers in Chicago at the NASW National Conference in June.
Surpassing 30,000 licensed social workers in the state
Providing regular information for social workers regarding the escalating issues regarding ICE and deportation including Know Your Rights Trainings, and speaking out against actions in Chicago
Speaking out again the rising levels of antisemitism
In late December, More than 21,250 Social Workers Sign Petition Demanding Social Work Be Designated as a Profession for Higher Student Loan Eligibility
The NASW-Illinois Chapter remains strong and continues to be the voice of social work in the state of Illinois. Please consider taking an even more active role in 2026. Here are a few ways to do so:
Run for a leadership position in the chapter: https://www.naswil.org/post/join-the-2026-nasw-illinois-chapter-advisory-board-of-directors
Attend an in-person or virtual CEU event or join a chapter shared interest group (SIG)
Join us in Springfield on April 15, 2026, for our annual NASW-Illinois Chapter Social Work Advocacy Day
Share your knowledge with others by presenting for the chapter as a volunteer speaker
Best wishes for 2026!