SPRINGFIELD – In response to an urgent shortage of social workers in Illinois, State Senator Karina Villa introduced a measure to increase retention and hire more licensed clinical social workers in the state.

“There is a great need within our communities for experienced, empathetic, licensed social workers to provide support to those facing crisis,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Illinois is facing a widening gap between available qualified social workers and the amount of people who need their services. Our residents deserve equitable and prompt access to care, and these grants are a step in the right direction.”

House Bill 3511 would create the Nonprofit Clinical Supervision Grant Program to provide grants to nonprofit associations to hire licensed clinical social workers to fill the gap in care across Illinois. The grants would also fund group clinical supervision to fulfill requirements for clinical social worker licensure in Illinois.

Additionally, the bill would increase the maximum grant award for the School and Municipal Social Work Shortage Loan Repayment Program from $6,500 to $8,000.

Illinois social workers often face issues with financial compensation and tough hours due to workforce shortages. While Illinois has pushed reforms in the past to expand the number of social workers in the state, many Illinoisans have limited access to care. According to the Behavioral Health Workforce Center, only 22% of Illinoisans’ mental health needs can be met with the current mental health workforce. From 2017-2019, 53.6% of Illinois residents with a mental illness did not receive treatment.

“We cannot continue down this path and ignore the needs of our most vulnerable,” said Villa. “Illinois must expand access to professional social workers to aid our communities in times of crisis.”

House Bill 3511 was heard in the Senate Appropriations - Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday.