From the Pen of the Executive Director: May 2025
- NASW-IL Staff
- Apr 30
- 4 min read
Joel L. Rubin, MSW, LSW, ACSW, CAE
NASW-Illinois Chapter Executive Director
It has not been an easy past couple of months for social workers with the unprecedented challenges to our values, as well as the resources to carry out our important work.
But this past month, we were reminded of our resilience and passion for important issues during this year's 2025 NASW-Illinois Chapter Advocacy Day which took place on April 9, 2025, in Springfield. In the second year of our new format, over 30 student lobby leaders participated in a full day of training, then led groups (totaling 450 attendees) throughout the Capitol with patience and confidence in one of the busiest days of the legislative session. A complete summary of the day can be found here. A big thank you to all who participated and were so inspiring.
One of our priority pieces of legislation, HB1806, passed out of the Illinois house the week of Advocacy Day and is now headed over to the senate. We need the entire social work community’s help in make sure our state senators know that that AI chatbots should have no place in mental healthcare. Reach out to your senator today to ask them to support and co-sponsor HB 1806. Ask your Senator to Support and Co-Sponsor HB 1806
Three additional bills we are tracking also need your support:
HB 1085 – Strengthen Mental Health Access! We need you to contact your state senate to ask them co-sponsor HB 1085 (Rep. LaPointe; Senator Villa) to address mental health network adequacy and access to care. Ask your Senator to Support and Co-Sponsor HB 1085
HB 3511 – Strengthen Clinical Supervision and Expand Loan Repayment. We need Illinois state senators to support and co-sponsor HB3511 to increase access to affordable clinical supervision and remove the burden of student loan debt for social works. Ask your Senator to Support and Co-Sponsor HB 3511
HB 1715 – Protect Child Welfare in Illinois. We need Illinois senators to support and co-sponsor HB 1715 to remove language for a separate law enforcement division at DCFS. https://www.votervoice.net/NASWIL/Campaigns/122779/Respond
2025 NASW National Conference
It’s hard to believe that the NASW Conferences will be taking place here in Illinois next month at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, June 15–19, 2025. There is still time to register, so please join us and help us showcase our chapter and our state. Once again as a reminder, we will be hosting a reception for all Illinois attendees on Tuesday evening, June 17th from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm.
Older Adults Shared Interest Group (SIG)
After over seven years of service, Dr. Darby Morhardt and Andy Teitelman are transitioning from co-chairing the NASW-IL Older Adults Shared Interest Group (SIG). Under their leadership the SIG has worked on a range of successful initiatives, most recently focusing on recruiting emerging social workers into aging practice. Both Darby and Andy will continue to be engaged with the group. I personally can’t thank them enough for their involvement, passion, and commitment to the issues.
The NASW-Illinois Chapter is happy to announce that Carrie Petrelli, MBA, LCSW, CDP, CCM, MA, will be chairing the SIG. Currently, Carrie serves as director of activities and memory care at Belmont Village Senior Living in Oak Park. She has a unique perspective on transitional care, and the challenges that seniors and their families face while navigating the healthcare system and long-term care options. Carrie began her healthcare career in 2011 as a hospital social worker after earning her AM at the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice.
Reflection on Latesha Newson’s Presidency
As I compose my May article, Latesha Newson will be completing her term as NASW-Illinois Chapter President. I first met Latesha as a student leader at Governors State University (where she is now employed), organizing her fellow students for Advocacy Day. From the time Latesha became Calumet District Chair and a chapter board member in 2019, she has been involved in a range of achievements during an extraordinary time in our state, in our country, and our world. Some of these include co-chairing the NASW-IL Task Force on Racial Justice together with Kristin Rubbelke, chairing the NASW-IL Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIAB) Committee (which played a significant role in advocating for the landmark alternative to the ASWB exam for clinical licensure in Illinois), representing NASW-IL on the City of Chicago’s working group for Treatment Not Trauma which led to the re-opening of three shuttered public mental health clinics, and chairing the National NASW Council of Chapter Presidents. Latesha’s leadership has helped continue to enhance the NASW-IL’s position as a major leader in the association and the social work profession. We are grateful that she has lent a great deal of her energy, passion, and time to our ongoing well-being. I am personally grateful for Latesha’s friendship and collegiality.
Some additional updates…
Congratulations to Dr. Patricia Saleeby, Chair of the Social Work Department at Bradley University in Peoria, who was appointed new editor-in-chief of the NASW Health & Social Work Journal!
Kott Gerontology Scholars Program (KGSP) is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 academic year! Final year, advanced degree students interested in careers in the field of aging are encouraged to apply. Application period open through May 31, 2025. This is great opportunity for social work students interested in a career advancing aging program and the nation’s health care system.
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