historical fact, as I understand it
"It was on 1 May 1776 thatAdam Weishaupt,a professor of law at the University ofIngolstadt, founded the Order of the Illuminati,a secret organisation formed to oppose religious influence on society and the abuse of power by the state by fostering a safe space for critique, debate and free speech. Inspired by the Freemasons and French Enlightenment philosophers, Weishaupt believed that society should no longer be dictated by religious virtues; instead he wanted to create a state of liberty and moral equality where knowledge was not restricted by religious prejudices. However religious and political conservatism ruled in Ingolstadt at that time, and subject matter taught at the Jesuit-controlled university where Weishaupt lectured was strictly monitored."
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20171127-the-birthplace-of-the-illuminati
this one's a bit of a long rant, but covers a lot of bases
https://unholyromantyrants.blogspot.com/2019/08/bavarian-crime-syndicate.html