By Laws

Chapter I

Section 1 – Establishment and Name
In conformity with Section 242 of the Constitution and Laws of the Knights of Columbus, and pursuant to the call of the State Deputy of Illinois, designating the Councils situated in the Archdiocese of Chicago to comprise a Chapter District in Illinois, the Councils of Knights of Columbus in said Diocese hereby direct this Organization to be hereafter known as The Chicago Archdiocesan Chapter, also known as the Chicago Chapter, Knights of Columbus.

Section 2 – Responsibilities
The primary purpose of this Chapter shall be to promote the well-being of the Order within the Chicago Archdiocese. This Chapter shall undertake and execute all such work as relate to the wellbeing and good order of the Knights of Columbus and be of common interest to the Councils of the Knights of Columbus in the Archdiocese of Chicago including such fraternal, social, spiritual, and intellectual functions among the members of the Councils in the Archdiocese of Chicago as shall be desirable and proper. Chapter activities shall not be in competition with State or subordinate council sponsored activities. Any funds raised from any activities shall be irrevocably dedicated to and segregated or disbursed for charitable, educational, or religious purposes within 12 months of the date the funds are raised

Section 3 – Composition
The Archdiocese of Chicago Chapter shall consist of the representatives from all Councils in the Archdiocese of Chicago. All Brother Knights, in good standing of member Councils are also members of the Chicago Chapter. The State Deputy and the District Deputies of districts of which any of said councils are a part and such members of the Board of Directors as reside within the jurisdiction (“Auxiliary Representatives”) shall also be members.

A council may withdraw from a chapter by a majority vote of the members present and voting at the regular May business council meeting, but only if written notice to the entire membership that this question will be before the council is given ten days before said meeting.

Section 4 – Council Representatives
“Council Representatives” shall consist of the Grand Knight and one representative, or their  alternates, from each Council in good standing with the Chapter. All members shall have equal rights and privileges, except only Council Representatives and Auxiliary Representatives (collectively, the “Voting Members”) shall be entitled to make motions and vote. All members shall have the privilege to speak to the Chapter body. On any motion, each Voting Member shall have one vote. All members shall have the right to hold office in the Chapter limited to a maximum of one elected office per Council.

Section 5 – Council Representative Vacancy
Each Council shall provide the Secretary with a list of Representatives by June 30th. These representatives shall take office on July 1st. In the event a Council Representative is unable to attend any Chapter meeting, the Grand Knight shall appoint an alternate to replace the
representative at that meeting and he shall have the same authority and privileges as the replaced representative. Notification of the alternate replacement shall be either verbal or in writing to the Chapter President prior to the start of any meeting.

In the absence of any council representatives, members of that Council may verbally request of the Chapter President that they wish to represent their Council. The permission will be at the discretion of the President and the request and decision shall be noted in the minutes of the meeting. The substitute representatives shall have the same authority and privileges as the regular representatives.

Chapter II

Section 1 – Officers and Elections
The annual election of officers shall take place at the regular meeting between June 1st and June 30th. The Chapter shall elect from its own members a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and one of three Trustee positions. Election to the Trustee position shall be for a three year term with the intention of always having three Trustees (i.e., a Trustee with 3 years remaining on his term, a Trustee with 2 years remaining on his term, and a Trustee in the final year of his term). Election to the President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary (collectively, the “Executive Board of the Chicago Chapter” or “Executive Board”) positions shall be for a one-year term. Members elected to an Executive Board office should be encouraged to seek re-election to their current office no more than once so that terms in any one office are, generally, limited to two years. Elected Officers shall take office on July 1st of the fraternal year for which they were elected, or immediately upon their election if elected to fill a vacancy during a fraternal year, and shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The Executive Board and Trustees with the appointed Chaplain and any other members selected by the Executive Board shall be known as the Chapter Governing Board.

Section 2 – Chaplain Appointment
The President, in consultation with the other members of the Executive Board, shall appoint the Chaplain of the Chapter in accordance with any rules established by the Ordinary of the Diocese or his appointee. The Chaplain shall serve as a member of the Governing Board.

Section 3 – Non-Elected Officers
The President, in consultation with the other Officers of the Executive Board, shall appoint a Chapter Warden and one or two guards whose responsibilities, if assigned, will be determined by the President in consultation with the Executive Board.

Section 4 – Officer Vacancies
Vacancies in elective offices of the Chapter shall be filled for the un-expired term of such vacated office by election at the next business meeting or such other time reasonably determined by the Executive Board, provided that notice, in writing, is made to the membership at least seventy-two (72) hours before the said meeting.

Chapter III

Section 1 – Duties of the President
The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer and shall preside at all meetings; appoint all committees, shall be ex-officio member of all committees; and shall attend to such duties as are incident to the office or as may be imposed by the Chapter

Section 2 – Duties of the Vice President
The Vice President shall preside and perform all the duties of the President in his absence and shall perform duties as may be delegated to him by the Chapter.

Section 3 – Duties of the Secretary
The Secretary shall keep a true record of all proceedings of the Chapter and the Chapter Governing Board. He shall conduct all correspondences including notice of all regular meetings to Grand Knights, Council Representatives, Chapter Officers, and Auxiliary Members no less than one week prior the meetings and no less than seventy-two (72) hours for Special meetings; perform all such duties as may be assigned to him by the Chapter body

Section 4 – Duties of the Treasurer
The Treasurer shall have control of all the funds of the Chapter, subject to the direction of that body, which shall in July of each year designate the depository for said funds. The Treasurer shall furnish, no less than quarterly, a report of receipts and expenditures to the Chapter Governing
Board and to the Chapter. In December, the Chapter Treasurer shall send notice of the applicable assessment fixed on each Council for the upcoming calendar year. He shall pay by check, or Chapter debit card, all bills of the Chicago Chapter. He shall annually deliver to the Trustees all books of record, cancelled checks, bills of the Chicago Chapter, and all other data pertinent to the receipts and expenditures of his office. At the conclusion of the Audit, all papers so turned over by him shall be returned to the Treasurer for his permanent files held on behalf of the Chicago Chapter.

Section 5 – Duties of Trustees
The Trustees shall review and approve requested Reimbursements for previously approved expenditures. The Trustees may request and review the Treasurer’s books, accounts, and receipts at any time subject to a 30 days prior notice of inspection.

Section 6 -Compensation
No elected Officer shall receive any salary or compensation whatsoever

Chapter IV 

Section 1 – Meetings
Regular meetings of the Chapter shall be held at least quarterly. Meetings shall be held at such a place, time, and date as shall be designated
by the President at least two (2) months in advance. All members in good standing of Councils are permitted to attend the Chapter meetings.

Section 2 – Special Meetings
Special Meetings of the of the Chapter may be called by the President at any time on his own initiative or upon the formal request of five (5) Voting Members of the Chapter representing at least three (3) member Councils or upon request of the State Deputy. Notice of all Special Meetings shall be sent at least seventy-two (72) hours before the fixed time for the said Special Meeting. In the event of an emergency, twenty-four (24) hours shall suffice, provided the Grand Knights are notified by telephone or e-mail. Notices of all Special Meetings shall state the time, place, and purpose of the meeting.

Section 3 – Quorum
Representatives from at least eight (8) of the Councils in the Chapter shall be required for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Chapter.

Chapter V

Section 1 – Committees
The President of the Chapter shall appoint committees or ad hoc committees as may from time to time become necessary or deemed advisable by the Chapter Governing Board.

Section 2 – Duties of the Committees
The duties of the committees shall be drawn up when required or annually by the Chapter and shall be presented to the Chapter for approval.

Chapter VI

Section 1 – Revenue
The revenue and income of the Chapter shall be derived from a) Council Assessments, b) voluntary contributions and c) such other source as may from time to time become available. All moneys obtained from any source, or through any person or persons, acting for or in the name of
the Chapter or under its direction or authority shall be considered Chapter funds and shall forthwith be delivered to the Chapter Treasurer, who shall give in his financial report at each meeting, the amounts so received and from what source.

Section2 – Deposit and Distribution
The Treasurer shall deposit all moneys received in a bank to the credit of the Chapter. Disbursement from this fund shall be made only by check or debit card signed by the Chapter Treasurer, President, or Vice President.

Section 3 – Council Assessments
Based on the most recent ascertainable Council Membership numbers as determined by the Supreme Council, the Chapter shall fix the annual Council Assessment at:
1-149 Members: $25.00
150-399 Members: $50.00
over 399 Members: $75.00

Section 4 – Fiscal Year
The Fiscal Year of the Chapter shall begin July 1st each year and end on the 30th of June each year.

Section 5 – Failure to Pay Council Assessment
Any Council failing to pay its Council Assessment, as fixed by the Chapter body under the provisions of Section 3, Chapter VI of these By-Laws, within sixty (60) days after the 1st of January shall be considered in default and be unable to vote on Chapter business. When the Council
Assessment is paid, voting rights will be restored.

Chapter VII

Section 1 – Supreme Convention Delegate Recommendation
At the last meeting prior to the State Convention each year, the Archdiocese of Chicago Chapter shall seek nominees for Delegate and Alternate Delegate to the Supreme Convention. Nominees shall be sought from the membership of councils comprising the Chapter for the purpose of recommendation to the voting delegates on the convention floor.

Section 2 – Supreme Convention Delegate Recommendation
These recommended nominees will be placed for consideration before the Chicago Caucus at the Annual Meeting of the Illinois State Council in May of each year.

Section 3 – Chicago Caucus Presiding Officer
The Chicago Archdiocesan Chairman shall preside over the Nomination and Election of delegates at the Chicago Caucus at the State Convention or in accord with the preferred method of the State Deputy.

Chapter VIII

Section 1 – By-Law Amendments
Amendments to these By-Laws shall be presented in writing at a regular meeting of the Chapter, signed by the proposer or proposers, with copies sent to all representatives at least five (5) days prior to the next regular scheduled meeting. They shall be acted upon at that next meeting. A two thirds (2/3) vote of the Voting Member present shall be necessary for the adoption of such amendments.

Section 2 – By-Law Suspension
These By-Laws or any part thereof, may be suspended at a current meeting by a two thirds (2/3) consent of the Voting Members present.

Section 3 – Submissions and Revisions
These By-Laws adopted this ____ day of __________ 2026, supersede all past By-Laws. Signed by Executive Board: