Illinois Association for Behavioral Health

We’re hiring a Graphic Designer! Join IABH to create print and digital materials, develop social media content, and help share the work of our prevention programs across Illinois. This full-time, remote role is open to Illinois residents and includes travel to events and communities throughout the state. Learn more and apply: www.ilabh.org/careers

Join us in congratulating Rija Khan, IABH's Graphic Designer, on 1 year at IABH! ⭐

Rija has been an integral part of our design and marketing efforts across all IABH programs. She continues to shape and guide the visual direction of our Association, developing thoughtful and engaging materials that inform, inspire, and foster connection among communities throughout Illinois.

We are excited to share an intern has joined the IABH team!

Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, she is now a senior at Michigan State University, studying International Relations and receiving a minor in Education & Society and Mandarin Chinese. Shannon began attending CGTI conferences in 2022 as a participant, helping to found the DuPage Action Team, now combined with the DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team, and eventually working with the Illinois Prevention Network to advocate for furthering prevention legislation. Later, becoming youth mental health first aid certified and advocated for further awareness and certification of others in her home county. She joined the CGTI youth staff, eventually becoming a CGTI volunteer staff member for the past 2 years.

Shannon has been involved in the behavioral health field for 6 years and has experience working with special needs, teaching, and a wide variety of nonprofit and volunteer work. She plans on taking all of these experiences and pursuing fields in education, with a speciality in special needs education, and continuing her work in youth ministry. Ultimately, Shannon plans to continue her education to receive a Master’s in Education, using it for global ministry mission trips and special needs or elementary education.

Please help us welcome Shannon to the team!

IABH was honored to present the 2026 George Schwab Distinguished Service Award to Ann Raney.

This award recognizes an individual who has provided the greatest service to the Association in a given year. The award is given in memory of George Schwab, President of IADDA (currently IABH) from 1979-1980, who symbolized the sacrifice and commitment of professionals in the field. Nominees should be individuals who have made significant personal contributions to IABH and to the behavioral healthcare field. Nominees should be people who have contributed leadership and expertise in the development of public policy.

Ann has served IABH and its members with reliability and great commitment, recently holding both the Vice Chair and Chair positions on on the IABH Board. She has guided next steps, showing a continued devotion to leadership and our field as a whole. We are so grateful for her time, dedication, and vision.

Congratulations, and thank you, Ann!

Yesterday, IABH with honored to present the 2026 Lawrence Goodman Friend of the Field Award to State Senator Laura Fine.

This award was created in 2004 to honor the work of those outside of behavioral healthcare who support the field and advocate on behalf those providing services as well as those who are in need of services.

Senator Fine has worked closely with our field and with IABH to make critical changes to behavioral health-related legislation. In her work, she has prioritized passing key pieces of legislation targeting banning prior authorization for outpatient services, creating unique rate increases for adequate reimbursement, and targeting deceptive marketing practices in SUD which has led to similar legislation at the federal level. Senator Fine is a fierce advocate and incredible partner to us and our members.

Congratulations, Senator Fine, and thank you!

A tremendous thank you to Jim Craig, historic goaltender from the “Miracle on Ice” 1980 gold medal-winning Olympic hockey team, for joining us as our closing keynote today.

We look forward to reflecting on his incredible message of courage, persistence, goal setting, and a winning mindset, and taking those ideals into our work going forward.

Thank you, Jim!

It's our final day of the Conference, and we're starting off strong with some final breakout sessions! ✨

Thank you to all the speakers that have joined us this week and shared their expertise and insight with us. It's an incredible privilege to learn together and share this mission to serve our many communities across Illinois!

IABH was honored to present the 2026 Prevention Leadership Award to Donna Nahlik!

This award is presented to individuals who have brought public attention to the need for prevention and who have fostered the growth and development of the Illinois prevention movement. Nominees should be people who commit time, energy, and talent to prevention; provide vision and leadership to professionals and volunteers; and who believe in the unlimited potential of young people and adults working together to create a better world.

Donna has served as a prevention professional for 35+ years, building and sustaining relationships across communities to drive long-lasting change. As Director of Integrated Community Health at Chestnut Health Systems, she has prioritized our young people, recognizing that prevention is the foundation of the health of our communities. She has given her knowledge and dedication to multiple prevention committees, including the IABH Prevention Committee.

Congratulations, Donna, and thank you for building healthy communities from the ground up!

IABH was honored to present the 2026 Keith Keesy Memorial Award to Scott Payne!

Keith Keesy exemplified the qualities of many pioneers in the alcohol/drug field, in his dedication to the “cause,” willingness to contribute long hours, and ability to create community acceptance, recognition and support for prevention/treatment. The award is a celebration of the role treatment professionals play in recovery. Nominees should be people who practice the 12th step, carrying the message to others; who are dedicated to prevention and treatment, and loyal to colleagues as well as clients, who believe in fighting for community service, and who demonstrate a deep personal commitment to helping people.

Scott is a transformative leader who serves as the Manager of Substance Abuse and Court Services across an expansive eight-county region. Since accepting this role, Scott has worked tirelessly to strengthen Substance Use Disorder (SUD) programs and Court Services. He masterfully balances regional operational leadership with a deep, personal commitment to direct clinical practice. His dedication ensures the agency consistently delivers exemplary, compliant care to individuals facing addiction. Scott has made a profound impact on our agency by ensuring that every local SUD program and Drug Court service operates at the highest possible standard. What sets Scott apart as a manager is his refusal to lose touch with the frontline of therapeutic care. While handling immense administrative responsibilities, he actively maintains and sharpens his own clinical skills by directly providing therapeutic services to clients.

Congratulations, Scott, and thank you for being a role model to us all!