Come and enjoy fun events, great dinners, and dancing. Something is happening every month.
Joliet Elks support the Grand Lodge programs, the Illinois Elks Association programs as well as thier involvement in many local charitiable activities.
Just A Few of the Worthy Causes We Support: We honor are veterans, care for special needs children, and support our community.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
LOUNGE: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 4:00 pm - 1:00 am.
Closed on Sundays,Tuesdays, Thursdays (begining in May 2024.)
*Hours of closing is at bartender's discretion based on the amount of business.*
LODGE OFFICE: 9:00 AM TO 12:00 PM Monday through Friday.
Formed in 1868 as a social club for minstrel show performers, the "Jolly Corks," or the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, has evolved into a charitable organization, helping all manner of causes. But, it's the "social" aspect of the club that keeps the members returning, and some, from ever leaving.
The Elks National Foundation provides more than 3.64 million in college scholarships each year through its three scholarship programs.
In each of the 172 VA Medical Centers nationwide there is an Elk committee at work. Since 1917, houndreds of thousands of Elks and thier families have given generously of their time, energy and resources so that the lives of our ill and aging veterans will be enhanced.
Your Membership will get you:
Into other Lodges
Into our Lodge meetings
Subscriptions to:
The Elk Call (Lodge newsletter) - monthly
The National Elks Magazine - 10 times a year
The Newsette (state newspaper) - quarterly
AND FINALLY:
You get out of the Elks Lodge Membership What You Put Into it!
A Happy Member Is An Active Member!
The Elks is not just a friendly bar where friends gather. It is an organization where we can pool our funds, whether it is $1.00 or $1000.00, to make our community, our state and our country a better place to live. Remember, your participation in our Lodge activities helps us to support our Lodge and charitable projects.
Our community still needs Elks, and the Elks atill need people who care. People like you.
STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD!!
JOIN THE JOLIET ELKS LODGE!!!
OVERVIEW:
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America is one of the oldest and largest fraternal organizations in the country. Since its inception in 1868, the Order of Elks has grown to include over 800,000 men and women in 2,200 communities. The B.P.O. Elks is committed to the ideals of charity and patriotism and have created a quiet network of good deeds that has profoundly changed millions of lives for the better. The Elks donated to the government the first veterans hospital; contribute regularly to schools and police and fire departments and assist the young and the needy throughout this great nation.
The B.P.O. Elks national headquarters is based in Chicago, Il.
An Elk is a person good enough to be decent, bad enough to be human, who works enough to be useful, and who plays enough to be happy; who without frills or ostentaion, pursues the even tenor of their ways, trying to make their community, state and country a better place in which to live, and their LODGE place to come for wholesome good fellowship and recreation.
ELKS MISSION STATEMENT: To inculcate the principals of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to recognize a belief in God, to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its Members; to quicken the spirt of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care-Elks Share.
We like you. We'll like your friends. Propose a friend for membership. Sell fraternalism and brotherhood and the opportunity for service. Sell our Lodge activities and the wonderful times that the entire families have at Elks sponsored events.
Why Join? "Because an ethusiastic member who loved the Order and who believed in it, was anxious that his friend should enjoy with him the glorious association of red-blooded men."
CHILDREN'S CARE CORPORATION (State major project):
2020-2021: $2,965 in lodge donations (22nd in state), per capita $14.12 (second in district)
2021-22: $3,898.00 in lodge donations. Per capita $18.47/member (second in district.), 24th in the state.
2022-2023: $3,257 in lodge contributions (26th in the state, 3rd in the district) per capita $ 16.04/member.
2023-24: $3866 in lodge donations, 22nd in the state, 2nd in the district, $20.23 per capita/member
The Illinois Elks Children's Care Program is the IEA state major project. You can visit their website at www.illinoiselksccc.org for more information and to download the clinic schedule, make donations online, purchase apparel and get information for obtaining assistance for children.
ELKS NATIONAL FOUNDATION: We Made the GER's Goal.
2020-2021: Third in District, $6.98/member, 29th in state. Total Donations: $1,740.00
2021-22: Second in district, 18th in the state. $ 1,940, $9.19/member
2022-23: $8.65/member, 17th in the state, 3rd in the district.
2023-24: $13.04/member, 14th in the state, 1st in the district.
YOUR CHANGE, CHANGES LIVES!
PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCITIES RELAY-4-LIFE:
2011: Jade Team Member
2013: Silver Team Member
2014: Silver Team Member
2015: Gold Team Member
2016: Silver Team Member
2017: Gold Team Member
2018: Silver Team Member
2019: Bronze Team Member
PARTICIPANT IN THE GRAND LODGE ALL-AMERICAN LODGE CONTEST:
2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2015-2015, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-19, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24
*- Events are open to Elk Members and their guests only. Unless specified "Public Events"
***** The lodge is currently following the current COVID-19 Guidelines set forth by the State of Illinois. For questions regarding this please contact the lodge. ***
AUGUST:
2ND: Life Line Screening
Dinner 5-8 pm
Queen of Hearts Drawing 7:30 pm
4th: District Meeting Watseka 9:30 am
9th: Trivia Night 7 pm
14th: IBEW Meeting 7 pm
16th: Dinner 5-8 pm
17th: Steak Sandwich NIGHT 5-8 PM
Coyote Moon Dancers 7 pm
20th: H.C./B.O.D. Mtg. 7 pm
23rd: Dinner 5-8 pm
24th: Wii Bowling 7 pm
27th: Lodge Meeting 7 pm
30th: Dinner 5-8 pm
JULY;
30th- July 3rd: Grand Lodge Convention, Austin, TX.
4TH: Lodge Closed
5th: Dinner 5-8 pm
12th: Dinner 5-8 pm
16th: B.O.D./HC Meeting 7 pm
19th: Dinner 5-8 pm
20th: Steak Sandwiches 5-8 pm
23rd: Lodge Meeting 7 pm
26th: Dinner 5-8 pm
27th: Wii Bowling 7 pm
26-27th: IEA Golf Tournament, Peoria, Il.
I am ELK because an ELK saw something in me that would allow me to be a good ELK.
When asked I eagerly joined my local lodge and embraced its greatness.
We became ELKS because our organization is meaningful
powerful and important to our country, our community, our friends and our family
We remain ELKS because we embrace our mission, our duty and our members
We patronize our Lodge because brotherhood and fellowship are a cornerstone of who ELKS are
Working together we can accomplish great things
Being an ELK is not about self, we are a group of individuals with many ideas,
countless skills and inexhaustible desire to serve
ELKS are not about what an individual can extract from membership
it is what needs to be done to support it
We rejoice at being ELKS because we take pride in the successes of the children
our veterans and the communities we serve
We practice being ELKS by being there when needed, stepping up when asked
and volunteering our time and resources when necessary
I cannot be a good ELK without my fellow ELKS; we are a team.
* Picnic Area
* Horseshoe Pits
* RV Parking is available, no hookups. Please contact Lodge for information.
The Joliet Elks Lodge #296 Newsletter is a mothly newsletter distributed electronically and in print to the lodge's membership andthier families. It is also available on our lodge website and emailed to district lodges, state officers.
This publication brings invaluable articles of interest to and from our lodge members. Featrures may include lodge news and events, articles from Grand Lodge and information on social gatherings.
If you are an Elk that is not a member of Joliet #296 and would like to be added to our mailing list please contact the lodge secretary at either 815-744-3355 or at www.elks296@att.net.
YOUR FAVORITE SEAT IS WAITING!
Visit a lodge where the good times never end, at least for some.
The most comfortable spot in Joliet. Like to have a drink with friends? Enjoy Member pricing? Great food and entertainment.
Serving East Side Cafe Pizza's throughout the week in the lounge.
Dinner's served on Friday from 4-10 pm.
Steak Sandwiches every third Saturday of the month from 5-8 pm.
EUCHRE: Meets every Monday (6:30pm.) and Wednesday (6:30 pm.)
TRIVIA NIGHT: It is easy to join the fun. All you need to do is get your friends and family together and form a team. Then show up on the correct evening at 6:30 pm (generally the 2nd Friday of the month.), sit down and show to everyone how much useless information you have in your brain. GREAT WAY TO INTRODUCE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO OUR LODGE!
QUEEN OF HEARTS DRAWING is every Friday at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available for purchase throughout the week in the lounge and last ticket is sold at 7:15 on the day of the drawing. Tickets are $5/piece of 3 tickets for $10. DRAWING IS FOR MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING ONLY.
VIDEO GAMING: Have you tried your luck in our gaming room l!? We have some of the most hottest machines to play. So why not stop by the Lodge and try your luck! Remember you must be 21 years of age to play.
The Lodge Banquet Room is available for functions throughout the year, and continues to be a favorite spot for Bridal/wedding showers, Private Birthday Parties, Graduation Parties, Wedding Receptions, etc/.etc. Please contact Lodge office for details and availability. Many upcoming dates are currently available for booking. Please contact the Lodge at 815-744-3355 for availability.
Maximum capacity is 250. A cash or open bar are available for an extra fee. The Lodge uses 176 West Catering as its exclusive caterer.