Welcome to the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of the State of Illinois!
The Grand Council is one of three groups who make up the York Rite of Freemasonry in Illinois. Membership is open to Master Masons who have completed the Royal Arch
degree. If that’s you, we’d love to Greet you! If you’re already a member, welcome home!
Our theme for 2025-2026 is “Greeting Our Future Together,” highlighting the warm fraternal bonds we enjoy through the Grand Council, as well as our desire to continue the remarkable number of Companions we have Greeted the past several years. Cryptic Council degrees are truly enlightening and provide further insight into your Masonic journey. Constituent Councils across the state hold degrees on a regular basis so we hope you’ll consider joining us!
I encourage you to spend some time looking around our website. Here you’ll find information relating to our programs, our Nurses Training Foundation scholarship program, our Ninth Arch podcast, and articles of historical and educational significance. Most importantly, you’ll find a list of Councils, their locations, and meeting dates and times. If you’re interested in joining, you may contact either a Council near you or our Grand Recorder, who can help direct you.
Fraternally yours,
Jeff Estes
Most Illustrious Grand Master