State Deputy Day of Service

Worthy Brothers All:

State Deputy Lloyd J. Reinkensmeier's motto for Fraternal Year 2025-2026 is "EMPOWERING LIVES: SERVING FROM THE HEART". In conjunction with that motto, the State Deputy is offering Councils the opportunity to participate in the following "STATE DEPUTY DAYS OF SERVICE CONTEST".

1. DECEMBER 1, 2025 (Some flexibility. Contact Program Director to approve)

a. Each Council will select a service project for that day.

b. Councils submitting pictures and a completed Form 10784, DIRECTLY TO THE STATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR, will be entered in a drawing for the Grand Knight and the Program Director of the Council for a State Polo shirt that will be embroidered on the left sleeve with Council # and "Best Day of Service Project - December 1, 2025".

c. Winners will be selected prior to the State Convention.

d. The State Polo shirts will be presented at the State Convention in Springfield, May 2026.

2. This contest will be repeated on April 12, 2026

All Councils in the Illinois Jurisdiction are encouraged to participate. EMPOWER THE LIVES of your Council members to give service, SERVING FROM THE HEART!

Contact Program Director Steve Zalas for more information.

Training Opportunity - OCT 17-18, 2025

I want to thank everyone that came out for the training opportunities from October 17th to October 22nd hosted by Alain Cayer and Raymond Sands.  We will be having future training opportunites in the future.  Please let the State Officers or your District Deputies what you would like to see in upcoming events.

-Sam Trauernicht

State Membership Director

Welcome Bishop Spies - New State Chaplain

It is with great Joy and Honor to present to you our new State Chaplain, Most Reverend Dennis E. Spies, Auxiliary Bishop of Joliet Diocese.

Bishop Spies was installed with his jewel of office Friday, Sept. 26 at his office with the assistance of our Associate State Chaplain, Rev. Paul Gins.  He will join us at board meetings, organizational meetings, and conventions as his schedule permits.  Bishop Spies is looking forward to working with the Illinois Knights and will support us in expanding Faith based programs especially COR.

Born in , Clifton, Illinois, March 5, 1968. Ordained a priest June 1, 2002. Named Titular Bishop of Cenculiana and Auxiliary Bishop of Joliet, Illinois; consecrated November 6, 2024.  He does come from a rural farming community in the southern part of Joliet Diocese and did attend SIUC in the mid-eighties majoring in agriculture studies.

Associate State Chaplain Rev. Paul Gins, Most Reverend Bishop Dennis Spies, and State Deputy Lloyd Reinkensmeier after installing Bishop Spies as State Chaplain for the Illinois Knights of Columbus.

Honorary & Honorary Life Card Distribution Resuming

In April 2024, the Supreme Council placed a temporary hold on generating Honorary & Honorary Life Cards for members who achieved this status. Starting this month card distribution will resume and the cards for members who achieved this status since April 2024 will be sent to your attention for presentation to the respective members.

Since you will receive cards for members who earned their honorary status over a year ago, it is possible that you will receive cards for deceased or former members, or duplicates for members who previously received cards due to special circumstances. Please manage these as you see fit – there is no need to return them to the Supreme Council.

Once the backlog of cards is distributed this summer, we will resume processing cards monthly. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to resume this important membership recognition program. Should you have any questions, please contact us via email at membership@kofc.org.

From State Deputy

Dear Brother Knights,

As we move forward in our mission over the next several months, it is crucial to maintain our focus on the things that make your council successful as you empower and serve the parish and community of which you are a part of.  One of the components of being a STAR council is participating in the fraternal benefits event(FBE).  As you know, this sneaks up on most councils and then the panic rush sets in to complete.  With careful planning, you can avoid the panic by participating in the upcoming FBE being held on October 27th at 8pm ET.  Below is the link to register.  Let’s share this event to help our members maximize the benefits of their life insurance through the Knights of Columbus.  You owe it to your family to learn and decide what’s right for your family.

Thank you for all you do as a Knight and as a council.  Nothing is more inspiring than hearing the stories of how you and your council empower those looking to grow in faith and to serve those in need in your parish and community.  We are Pilgrims of Hope!  Keep up the great work and we look forward celebrating your accomplishments.

EMPOWERING LIVES, SERVING FROM THE HEART

Have a great week!

 Upcoming Fraternal Benefit Event: Maximize Your Living Benefits

To help fulfill Star Council requirements, encourage your members to attend the upcoming virtual webinar.

This Fraternal Benefit Event will take place live on Monday, October 27th at 8pm ET. 

This virtual event will allow members to learn more about the living benefits of life insurance and see if they are missing out on often-overlooked financial features to help shield their family.

Register Today 

 Vivat Jesus,

Lloyd J Reinkensmeier,

State Deputy

First To Membership Goals

Recent Councils hitting their membership goals.

Council 182 - Chicago St. Cabrini🦩

Council 3934 - Queen of Peace🦩

9 councils have met Membership Quota

Recent Districts becoming all Active

District 41- Rockford- Jerry Weber🦩

District 54 - Peoria- Christopher Admire🦩

1 District has met Membership Quota

Employment Opportunities 

With over 50 departments across three locations, the Knights of Columbus offers a diverse set of opportunities. Click on the links below to find one that matches your skills and goals:

• Become an Agent (kofc.org)

• Join our Corporate Team (kofc.org)

• Intern with us (kofc.org)