The Illinois Masonic Grand Lodge has announced it will be phasing out residential care at the Murphysboro Masonic Children’s Home as well as a second Masonic Children’s Home in LaGrange.

Leaders say the liabilities of providing residential care and the associated insurance costs have become prohibitive, and $2 million needed annually to run the homes and serve 40 children, can be put into new programs to serve additional children.

The Murphysboro home houses 24 children between the ages of 4 and 16. It is set to close by June 30, 2017.