Michael Mallory, MSW, LCSW, Chicago District Chair
Hello Chicago!
It’s just about summertime in Chicago which, hopefully, means that everyone will be able to enjoy some much-needed time outdoors and restoration. June is a month of transition as all of us probably have loved ones, colleagues, friends, who are graduating from school or celebrating different milestones, and all of us are preparing for the summer months ahead. That to say, here at NASW-IL we are preparing for our own board transition as our new members will be starting their terms in July. Please join me in celebrating the work and contributions of our exiting board members while welcoming the incoming group! If you’re interested in seeing who the new board members are please click HERE.
On a more personal note, given current sociopolitical issues, June is an important month for many of our loved ones as it represents LGBTQA+ Pride. For me, as a gay-identified person, I have been anxious and distraught by all the anti-queer legislation popping up across the country and increased violent rhetoric being shared across social media and other venues. Ultimately, I am not the only one feeling the weight of worry related to this and fearfully wondering what’s to come; please extend your support to those in the community and continue the hard work in advocating for the LGBTQA+ you love or work with. Also, attend those Pride events and rallies; your attendance demonstrates solidarity with the community.
Humbly yours,
Michael
Now for business! Please review the list below as it includes important updates and other areas of interest!
Advocacy / Legislative Updates:
2021–2023 LSW/LCSW Licensure News and Updates:
Early this year, IDFPR official informed the chapter that a proposal had been drafted to remove the in-person CE requirement for licensure renewal. This rule was then entered for public comment; to date we are waiting for the new rule to be voted on and passed. Therefore, there is NO official update on the status of this rule. For more information please review HERE.
Social Work Exam Alternative Update:
Earlier this month the General Assembly passed HB2365 SA1 and currently awaits the Governor’s signature. The bill would not go into effect until January 1st of 2024. For more information click HERE.
Interstate Compact:
There have been some of our colleagues who have voiced curiosity about the status of the interstate compact. The latest update from our Advocacy department is that the compact was completed in late February which was after the new bill deadline in Illinois. Additionally, it was decided that no further compacts were to move during the session due to concerns about the U.S. Supreme Court’s abortion ruling and about states implementing bans of gender-affirming care. Therefore, the chapter would like to address these concerns by developing and implementing a compact that expands opportunities while protecting important abortion and gender-affirming care. It’s expected that there will not be any further movement on this until the next session in 2024.
Upcoming NASW-IL Events:
Social Work and Coaching:
The Chicago District will be hosting an event in partnership with Dr. Liz Lasky who will be sharing her expertise on Coaching. This workshop will teach attendees how to cultivate a coaching mindset by exploring what this model is and how it is different from therapy. The event will be held on Monday June 12th from 9am to 12pm. If you are interested in attending, please sign up HERE.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness [PSLF]
I encourage those of you who have federal student loans and that applied for the limited PSLF waiver in October to check their loan servicing website for updates. Over the course of the last week many individuals have been reporting that their PSLF status has been updated to reflect the waiver which may have counted previously ineligible payments. That said, please check your loan servicer website for more information. If you’re unfamiliar with PSLF please click HERE to read more about it.