About Us
OUR HISTORY
In 2017, a group of bright, determined and like-minded individuals set out to establish Spes Novum. Their courage to start a new premier lodge speaks volumes about who they were, and we’re honored to follow in their footsteps.
Our Fraternity represents a group of diverse people who always strive for the highest level of excellence, as our founders intended. Shared goals and interests in areas of philosophy, spiritual experiences and building solid relationships hold our lodge together and define who we are.
Spes Novum No. 1183 officially received it's charter under the auspices of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Illinois on October 5th, 2019. It also received the Grand Master's Award of Excellence this same year, but not only this award, they also received 3rd place in state overall, a tremendous accomplishment for any lodge, let alone one that was U.D.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The founders of Spes Novum have experienced all Masonry has to offer in Northern Illinois and believe it can be much more. Our members are accountable and focused with united vision and value, and we dare to build a fresh experience heretofore not seen in the jurisdiction before. Enlightenment is the multi-faceted approach to expanding the minds and consciences of the membership, which includes spiritual development and educational presentations not limited solely to Masonic-related topics. A new era is emerging, and it is our duty, not only as members of SN, but as Masons, to enlighten our fellow brethren and assist them on their educational and spiritual journeys.
Our Philosophy
Fulfillment.Genuine.Truth
The Officers
Adam P. Hassel
Adam grew up on a small farm in rural IL. He spent his youth in the Boy Scouts, eventually attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. To pursue a career in music, he enrolled as a music student at Elmhurst College. He graduated with a BA in Music Business and began working as an Audio Engineer. He currently works as a Producer and Audio Engineer at a Chicago-based Audiobook publisher. Adam is a long time practitioner of Buddhist meditation and an eager learner of comparative religions. Adam is hoping to earn a commission as a Certified Lodge Instructor in the ensuing year, and help facilitate a marriage between the Illinois ritual and contemplative practice in the Craft. Adam was raised at Sequoit Lodge #827 in May of 2017, where he has served as the Lodge Education Officer since 2018.
Worshipful Master
Bobbie Mitchell
Bobbie Mitchell is an occupational health and safety professional that specializes in organizational development and culture change initiatives. Bringing diverse executive experience to the table, Bobbie excels in facilitating “member value propositions” for fraternal, corporate, or community groups. A Freemason for over 18 years and a Delta Sigma Phi man, his love of fraternalism is always apparent. With eyes to the future and believing the social ties of brotherhood to be as crucial to the Craft as spiritual and philosophical development, Bobbie initiated the first American chapter of the Blue Lounge Social Club and currently serves as its president. When he’s not looking out for the safety of the workers in Chicagoland, or the future and membership of Freemasonry, Bobbie can be found spending time with his family--his amazing wife Abby and their three fantastic daughters, discussing the role of American government or cheering on his beloved Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.
Senior Warden
Spencer A. Hamann
Spencer Hamann has a vast and varied set of skills, interests, and curiosity. Drawing inspiration from his love of music and engineering at an early age, Spencer began apprenticing to learn the luthier's art as a high school freshman in 2003. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2011 with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Musicology, focused on Organology. He now works professionally as a luthier, managing workshops in Illinois and Wisconsin, completing repairs and restorations of fine string instruments, and providing education on instrument history and maintenance. Spencer also enjoys performing music on various instruments, is an avid collector of fine tools, frequently takes commissions for custom work within woodworking and restores typewriters and bicycles, among other antiques. Curatorship and adding value are core to his philosophies. Spencer was Raised in 2013, served Libertyville Lodge No. 492 as Worshipful Master from 2017-2018, and currently serves the Grand Lodge of Illinois as their Grand Representative to Wisconsin, District Education officer for the 1st NE District, and is a Certified Lodge Instructor (CLI).
Junior Warden
Julian Rojas
Creativity has always been important to Julian, which is what led him to study music, and later, Communication Studies, where he was able to express his interests and creative side by fusing the arts and education in a way that allowed him to explore topics of interest from a different perspective. In 2015, he graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor in Communication Studies, emphasizing Organization & Corporate Communication. Currently, he is employed as a Talent Acquisition professional specializing in the Automotive, Finance, and Sales industries. Julian was raised in 2012 and served as Worshipful Master of Leyden Laurel Lodge No. 1057 from 2016-2018.
Treasurer
Robert H. Johnson
Philosophy is at the core of what Robert is after. Having grown up in Italy and being exposed to the culture and much of the renaissance art and literature, Freemasonry became a natural place for him to gravitate toward. He is an avid musician and writer. He’s written for several print magazines and blogs on subjects ranging from Firearms and Medical Ethics to Theology and Comparative Religions. Robert's primary studies are in philosophy and mathematics. He also holds an honorary Doctorate Degree in Philosophy in Religion. Currently, Robert works as an executive in the medical industry. He received his degrees from Waukegan Lodge No. 78, becoming Worshipful Master in 2014. He’s since served as both a District Education Officer and a District Deputy Grand Master. He currently serves on the Grand Lodge if Illinois Education Committee.
Secretary
Scott S. Dueball
Education has been a lifelong experience for Scott. Both of Scott’s parents earned higher degrees in science and math so it was natural that he would pursue a similar path. Scott received his Masters of Science in Biomechanics from Ball State University after successfully defending his thesis on computational models of bone strain. Scott holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Engineering, and Math from Valparaiso University. He has two patents and his research has been published and presented in numerous outlets. He enjoys time with his family, smoking meat, and woodworking in his free time. Scott received his Craft degrees from Muncie Lodge #433 while a student at Ball State in 2009. Since returning to Illinois, Scott has become active in Masonry serving as the Master of D.C. Cregier Lodge No. 81 twice, District Education Officer, the first State Education Officer in Illinois, Chairman of the Committee on Masonic Education, and President of the Midwest Conference on Masonic Education. However, Scott's proudest moment was serving as Worshipful Master for Spes Novum when we earned our Charter.
Senior Deacon
Ethan Adams
Ethan has been a Mason since 2017 after being initiated, passed and raised at Millburn Lodge No. 127 in Lindenhurst, IL. He is proud to call Millburn his home and is officially the Tiler, though often he fills in as Secretary for special meetings and degrees. As a chartered member of Spes Novum, Ethan hopes to gain even more light and apply himself to the study of Masonry with freedom, fervency and zeal, through the educational opportunities at both lodges and his own research with his growing library of books on esoterica. Though currently residing in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Ethan spent his childhood living and playing in the neighborhoods near the Temple building where Spes Novum meets, never knowing that as a man, he would join his future brothers on the journey of Freemasonry a stone’s throw from his home. When not seeking further light in Masonry, Ethan enjoys reading about history, science and philosophy. A lover of art and music, Ethan enjoys learning to play various instruments including his favorite, the Mandolin. For his profession, Ethan has been in various sales and leadership roles for over 10 years and is currently a Business Development Manager in Lake Villa Illinois. Working in sales he has learned many lessons that can be viewed through the lens of Freemasonry including fortitude, prudence and the value of an attentive ear.
Junior Deacon
Robert L. Wingador
Rob is a financial markets entrepreneur obsessed with developing ideas and opportunities to optimize the value of goods and services. He has a Master's in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude, from Babson College, where he focused on Entrepreneurial Finance and Operations Management. He earned a full-tuition research fellowship for his two years at the school, working as a five-subject teachers' assistant and ultimately being recognized as the Outstanding Graduate in Finance. Rob subsequently earned a Master's in Finance - Risk Management from Loyola University Chicago, where he graduated with Dean's Honors. At Loyola, he conducted original research on the viability of trading strategies based on synthetic bond positions and developed an appreciation for the value of "the space between." Rob is a Past Master of Evans and Spes Novum Lodges and a District Education Officer for the Grand Lodge of Illinois, who is dedicated to the Royal Art.
Senior Steward
Bert Robledo
Bert Robledo is a public service employee for the government. His interests have long been in history, geology, and spiritual and religious studies, including occult, esoteric, initiatic orders, and shamanism. He has been a member of various initiatic orders over the past 20 years, such as the Rosicrucian Order. Beyond his studies, Bert has attended several meditation retreats at the Monroe Institute and participated in ayahuasca ceremonies in Peru.
Bert's core spiritual value is absolute reverence for the temple. When in a temple, one is transported and transmuted during the time of ritual - one is taken back to the time of the past masters. This is to be held high in the heart and mind of a Mason. Rituals conducted within the temple are the most significant aspect of Masonry and all initiatic orders. Spes Novum has fulfilled an essential element of his spiritual path.
Junior Steward
James E. Frey
James is a Graduate of Eastern Illinois University and holds his bachelors in Clinical Psychology. He's an avid artist and musician. He is a Past Master of Crete Lodge No. 763, Past Sovereign Prince Valley of Danville AASR, and the District Education Officer for the 12th NE District of Illinois. An avid researcher, seeker of Light and practitioner of esoteric arts, James is truly a Rennasaince man.
Marshall
Erik Solomon
Erik loves to serve, from his time in the United States Airforce to being the president of his union for the last 25 years. He holds many certifications and licenses relative to Real Estate, Financial Analysis and HVAC. He earned his Bachelors in Science from Southern Illinois University. Erik currently serves as the Lead HVAC Engineer, and is an Adjunct Faculty for the College of Lake County. He is also the President of the CLC Staff Council. Erik was Raised in Waukegan Lodge #78 in Waukegan, IL and served as it’s Worshipful Master in 2015. He currently serves the Grand Lodge of Illinois as an Area Education Officer. Being responsible, educating and taking care of people are at Erik’s core.
Tyler
Javier Cruz
Javier Cruz was born in El Salvador, and moved to The United States in 2012. He was raised at Waukegan Lodge #78 in December the 11th of 2017. Spirituality and family being a primary focus in Javier’s life, he belongs to such organizations as Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, the Templar Research Institute- OSTI, and the British Martinist Order. Javier’s focus in Freemasonry is on the traditional principles of the Craft, as well the discovery of the hidden mysteries within the trascendental aspects of the same, he currently lives in Milwaukee, WI, with his adoring wife Esperanza and their 3 dogs, where he is employed as a Carpet Installer.
Chaplain
