Community

Illinois - Child Identification Program (IL-CHIP)

The IL CHIP program — has been adapted for Illinois from an extremely successful program begun in 1994 by Freemasons in New York. Today, members of the Masonic Fraternity in 30 States have similar programs to help parents and young families. The Child Identification Program -- sponsored by the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois -- is held by experts as the “premier child identification program” currently offered in the State of Illinois. The Freemasons of Illinois hold and fund the entire cost of identification workshops for families all around the State of Illinois. These are called ILCHIP events. They're sponsored by local Masonic Lodges and held at neighborhood functions or community schools. We put together everything parents need to help the authorities find their lost child. It's the most comprehensive program of its kind ...and it is FREE OF CHARGE TO PARENTS.

Best of all, it only takes 10-minutes and supplies parents with a complete child identification package that can be taken home or carried with the family on vacation. The information -- most of which is contained on a CD -- is compact and totally private. The program keeps only the parental permission form!

Watch Taylor Lodge Calendar of Events & Event Details pages, as well as Facebook, newspapers & other publications for upcoming events.

Coins for Children

This year the Coins for Children Program of the Grand Lodge of Illinois has provided matching funds of several thousand dollars to Illinois Masonic Lodges for their contributions to community projects to assist children. It is a program that is designed to assist lodges expand and extend their charitable efforts in their communities. Participation in this Grand Lodge matching funds program is an excellent way for each lodge to receive publicity at the local community level. By contributing to community projects to assist children, Masonic Lodges can expand awareness of the benefits and contributions of Masons in their communities.

Illinois Masonic Children's Home Facebook page

For over 120 years The Illinois Masonic Children's Homes (IMCH) has offered long term residential care for children between the ages of 4 through 16 years. We provide a safe and nurturing environment for children who are unable to care for themselves due to various family or home conditions. Our Homes provide children a myriad of growth enhancing opportunities which allow them to reach their fullest potential. Our Children's Homes are located in LaGrange and Murphysboro, Illinois. The Homes are entirely funded by the Grand Lodge of Illinois, and are licensed by the State of Illinois under the auspices of The Department of Children and Family Services.

La Grange Campus (441 Ninth Avenue, LaGrange, IL 60525)

Murphysboro Campus (101 Masonic Dr, Murphysboro, IL 62966)

Illinois Masonic Foundation - Student Assistance Program

The Illinois Masonic Foundation Student Assistance Program model is a school-based early intervention approach for schools to help students who are having difficulty being successful in school. We work with your school delegates to train an intervention team to help identify students with difficulties and guide them to both school and community resources for support. Training costs are covered through the IL Masonic Foundation.

Illinois Masonic Outreach Services

The Illinois Masonic Outreach Services (or IMOS) helps fellow Master Masons and their families through the toughest of times. “The programs’ mission is to bridge the gap between community resources and member needs to promote physical, social, financial, and personal enrichment to enhance the quality of life for our membership.” The IMOS program was established in 2008 in response to the needs of the membership. In the past, the Grand Lodge operated a nursing home facility in Sullivan, Illinois which worked very well in its day. However, with the changing times, we as a fraternity are changing with them and are working more efficiently within our charitable programs to provide improved and better services. Instead of serving a few individuals, in one specific area, IMOS can now assist members throughout the state of Illinois – and even those who reside out of state. In many cases, this allows members to remain in their own home, near family and loved ones. It also allows us to assist members with a variety of needs; not just the level of care a nursing home can provide. This cost effective approach enables IMOS funds to serve more Illinois Masons – and their families. We have included four major program components on this website: Financial Assistance; Information, Advocacy, and Referral Assistance; Widow Support; and Volunteer Services.

Illinois Masonic License Plate

Master Mason license plates are a unique way to help students avoid drug and alcohol abuse while displaying your pride in the Masonic Fraternity. These custom-designed license plates are available exclusively to Master Masons by special arrangement with the Illinois Secretary of State's Office, and are also available with personalized "vanity" letter/number combinations. The plates carry a $25 original issuance fee, of which $10 goes to benefit the Illinois Masonic Foundation for the Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Children. In addition to the standard $78 annual registration fee, the renewal each year also carries a separate $25 fee, of which $23 goes to benefit the Foundation -- a 501(c)(3) corporation to which donations are tax-deductible by law.

Illinois Masonic Credit Card

Faith, Hope and Charity - From our teachings, the words "Faith, Hope and Charity" should always be remembered by each of us. The greatest of these is "Charity" and should always be practiced by Masons. Please support the Illinois Masonic Charities by using this credit card to help support our Illinois Masonic Home, our Masonic Children's Homes in LaGrange and Murphysboro, and our Illinois Masonic Foundation, which is the premier Student Assistance Program in Illinois.

Society of King Solomon

The Society of King Solomon recognizes extraordinary contributions to the Illinois Masonic Charities Fund. Full membership in the Society of King Solomon is gained with a donation of $1,000 or more. Payment of donations may be extended for three years and may be paid by cash, credit card, pledge, or bequest. The latter may consist of cash, stock, real estate, or other financial means.