By becoming an Illinois Freemason under the Grand Lodge of Illinois A. F. & A. M., you join a fraternity committed to finding and uniting men eager to improve themselves and do good in the world. Through our timeless Masonic experiences, our members receive significant value from joining our ancient and honorable fraternity, including the following benefits:Brotherhood - A feeling of belonging and social attachment with faithful friends and Brothers who care about you and champion your well-being and success on life’s journey. As a Freemason, you will connect to the more than 45,000 Master Masons in Illinois Freemasonry and the millions of Brothers worldwide bound together by a common tie of knowledge, experience, and brotherly love.Wisdom - Access the “Wisdom of the Ages” through our unique Masonic degrees and other periodic Lodge and District education, training, workshops, and individual conversations. Receive guidance and advice by networking with experienced and successful men willing to “pay it forward” to coach, mentor and assist worthy Brothers with their Masonic career and life endeavors.Personal and Professional Growth - Acquire new skills and improve current ones, such as public speaking, project management, coaching, leading men to deliver results, written and verbal communication, managing business meetings, inspiring people, and more. Knowledge – Asking for and receiving counsel from friends and Brothers about life’s challenges, whether it be fixing a broken faucet, buying and financing a home, or learning about leadership and service.Respect – Being recognized as a man of honor and upright reputation in the community by men you care about, because your deportment and behavior warrant that recognition.Friendship and Enjoyment – Freemasons always make ample time for fun. Enjoy the company of other men and develop mutual understanding and respect through the shared activities that are the foundation of the Masonic experience. Through the decades of navigating life together, Freemasons build long-lasting friendships forged by acceptance, respect, trust, and support.Accomplishment – A genuine feeling of “making a difference” by pooling our financial resources to positively impact our Illinois Masonic Charity programs and local communities throughout the state.Courage and Confidence – Through our unique Masonic learning experience, each Brother embraces the courage needed to test what he learns, makes purposeful progress on his individual journey of self-improvement, and gathers the confidence to tackle new challenges and attain new milestones, not only in Freemasonry but in life.Relevance and Pride – Enjoy the pride of helping our worthy Brothers and their families in times of need and making a profound difference in Illinois. Whether with a kind word, an attentive ear, manual labor, or financial support directly through our charities, Illinois Freemasons build strong connections with our communities.

To become a Freemason under the Grand Lodge of Illinois A. F. & A. M. and remain a member, you are expected to demonstrate good character and reputation. You must also meet the following criteria to join Illinois Freemasonry:● Be a male● Be at least 18 years old● Be an Illinois resident for at least six months● Profess a belief in God or a Supreme Being● Be of good reputation as a man of honor and integrity

First, you must meet the membership requirements to join Illinois Freemasonry. If you meet that criteria, then you can fill out our Member Interest Form. Once receipt of your membership interest form is confirmed, you will receive an email with the next steps in becoming an Illinois Freemason.Based upon the information provided on your Member Interest Form, a Masonic leader from your local Lodge will reach out to discuss your interest. This conversation is to determine your motivations to join Illinois Freemasonry and whether a mutual fit exists for you to continue in our membership evaluation and selection process.If you ultimately receive a favorable vote from the local Lodge regarding your membership request, then you will be required to complete the three Masonic degrees to attain full membership status in the fraternity as a Master Mason. Becoming a Master Mason takes time, study, and dedication. That milestone can typically be attained in three to six months after receiving your first degree.

The specific timeframe to attain full membership status in Freemasonry as a Master Mason is partially up to you. The local Lodge leaders will coordinate the major steps in the membership process with you including submitting the formal membership petition along with an associated fee, receiving a favorable vote on your membership request, getting each degree completed, and your time investment, study, and dedication made in completing the learning requirements to advance through the degrees.After receiving the first degree, a new Brother is encouraged to regularly attend Lodge meetings, events and activities. At that same point, you will have access to and receive communications from Masonic leaders at the state and local levels. Also, members of your local Lodge will encourage you to get together casually to make new friends, assist with your studies, and answer questions.

Yes. Each Lodge of the Grand Lodge of Illinois A. F. & A. M. determines its own fees for new members. After becoming a full member of Freemasonry, as a Master Mason, payment of annual dues which are used to support the operations of the fraternity locally and across the state are required. Additionally, participation in local Lodge and statewide Masonic activities and events have their own costs. These financial investments help to unlock the personal value received from our unique fraternal experience.Initiation Fee: The fees for submitting the formal membership petition and to receive the three Masonic degrees to attain full membership as a Master Mason comprises the total initiation fee. This initiation fee is due along with the submission of the formal membership petition. Each Lodge sets the amount of the initiation fee which the local Lodge leaders can provide in your discussions. If payment of the initiation fee would present a financial hardship, then share those insights with the local Lodge leaders. When your financial situation improves, you can contact them to continue with the membership evaluation and selection process.Annual Lodge Dues: To continue unlocking the value of being an active Freemason, each Master Mason is required to pay annual Lodge dues. Each Lodge sets the amount for their annual Lodge dues. The dues payment is made before the beginning of each calendar year. The local Lodge leaders can provide that information during your discussions.