Untitled

Since its incorporation in 1880, the Village of Mokena has transformed into a prosperous community of more
than 20,000 residents – a number estimated to reach nearly 24,000 by 2013. While Mokena continues to
experience an influx in well-planned residential, commercial and industrial growth and development, village
leaders work hard to maintain its values as a friendly and connected community – as noted in its motto,
“Planned Progress…Pleasant Living.”
Suburban living really is at its finest in Mokena, which offers a quiet lifestyle complete with access to highquality public services and conveniences akin to a larger city. Residents and employers are equally drawn in
by Mokena’s exceptional education, recreation, shopping and healthcare outlets, as well as its prime location
and access to a major transportation nexus.
There is no doubt the Village of Mokena has a bright future – come discover for yourself the ingredients that
make this community one of the finest in the southwest suburbs.
Mokena, a thriving southwest suburban community, is fortunate to possess an enviable location in the midst of
an extensive transportation infrastructure.
The community is nestled within the northeastern portion of Will County, just 27 miles outside of the Loop.
The bustling La Grange Road corridor (U.S. Route 45) winds its way north-south along Mokena’s eastern
border, providing an efficient connection to U.S. Route 30 to the south and Interstate 80 to the north. Both
Route 30 and Interstate 80 offer a link to Interstate 57 to the east, while I-80 serves as the southwest suburbs’
first point of connection to Interstate 355, located just west of town.
Many commuters bypass the traffic of the region’s busy thoroughfares by taking advantage of the services of
Metra rail. The public transit outlet operates two stations in Mokena – Mokena/Front Street and Mokena/
Hickory Creek –both of which are situated along the Metra Rock Island District rail line. Riders reach
downtown Chicago’s LaSalle Station within one hour.
The closest commercial airports include Chicago’s Midway International Airport (20 miles from Mokena) and
O’Hare International Airport (30 miles from Mokena).
With its highly rated schools, outstanding healthcare community, unmatched recreational opportunities and
more, it’s no wonder Mokena has been experiencing an influx in residential growth over recent years. Meeting
the needs of this growing community is a large selection of quality and affordable homes suitable for every
stage of life.
From single professionals and growing families to empty nesters and retirees, there is something for everyone
in Mokena. House hunters are afforded a great mix of older homes in well-established neighborhoods and
modern developments at Old Mill Pond, The Bridges of Mokena and Foxborough Estates. There are also
beautiful townhome options and real estate opportunities in the expanding downtown district. Here one will
find various mixed-use structures comprised of shops and businesses on the first floor and residential condos
on top. In addition, affordable rental units and properties cater to those who are not yet in the market to own.
As one of the fastest-growing communities in the Chicagoland area, Mokena faces various challenges
surrounding its imminent growth; however, the village continues to manage its growth and development
successfully, ensuring it retains its unique, small-town values that so many have come to cherish in the
southwest suburbs.
The Mokena Community Park District is the area’s leading recreational resource. It maintains more than 20
parks and facilities in the area, including Yunker Farm, the Oaks Recreation & Fitness Center, the PDGAcertified Oaks Disc Golf Course (noted among the best in the nation), a skatepark and the up-and-coming Fox
Ridge Park. This 10-acre site earned a $400,000 Open Space Land Acquisition & Development (OSLAD)
grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in May 2011. This grant will help to develop a ball
field, a multi-grid athletic field, an ADA-accessible playground, picnic areas and many other amenities at Fox
Ridge Park.
The programming afforded through the Mokena Community Park District is just as impressive as its parks and
facilities. Throughout the year, residents of all ages, interests and abilities participate in more than 300
activities, ranging from arts & crafts classes and athletics to summer camps and dance and music programs.
The park district also hosts an assortment of community wide events, notably Concerts and Free Movies in the
Park, a 5K run/walk, the annual Flea Market at Main Park and various holiday gatherings.
Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the activities offered at Hickory Creek Forest Preserve, part of the Forest Preserve
District of Will County. Spanning the communities of Mokena, New Lenox and Frankfort, the preserve offers
access to several popular trails, including the Hickory Creek Byway’s 2.8-mile West Branch and 1.8-mile East
Branch, as well as the 21.5-mile Old Plank Road Trail. The preserve also presents opportunities for
picnicking, camping, canoeing and environmental education.
Those who prefer to spend a day on the greens are furnished with several area golf courses, which feature wellmaintained grounds and hazards to provide a challenge to the most seasoned of players. Among the popular
choices in the region include the Sanctuary Golf Course in New Lenox, the Prestwick Country Club in
Frankfort and the Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park, to name a few.
●
●
●
General Membership Luncheon First Wednesday of February, April, October and November at 11:30
a.m.
General Membership Dinner First Wednesday of March, May, September and December at 5:30 p.m.
General Membership Breakfast First week of August, held before the Annual Mokena Mayor’s
Charity Golf Outing
●
Business After Hours
●
Business Education Series Second Tuesday of each month at Rasmussen College
●
Community Business Expo & Health Fair
●
Golf Outing Held every June at the Sanctuary Golf Course
●
4th of July Parade Held annually on the 4th of July
●
Food and Wine Fest Held annually in October
●
Christmas Fest Held annually in November
The retail scene discovered in Mokena has been expanding over the years, with new developments blending
beautifully with the community’s well-established shopping spots. Much of the area’s retail is concentrated
along major corridors on La Grange Road, 191st Street, U.S. Route 30 and Wolf Road, which host such wellknown shopping centers as the Mokena Town Square Shopping Center, Old Mill Pond, The Promenade,
Mokena Corners and one of the newest and biggest additions, the Mokena Marketplace.
Downtown Mokena has seen much in the way of revitalization in recent times, featuring new sidewalks,
landscaping, streetscaping, public plazas and other decorative accents. This central district offers many
service-oriented businesses and continues to work on attracting further retailers to its new and existing
commercial developments.
One of the more popular downtown attractions is the French Market on Front Street, a seasonal marketplace
held every Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., from May through October. Sheltered by European-style canopies
reminiscent of a Parisian market, shoppers enjoy perusing fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, arts & crafts,
gourmet foods, baked goods and more.
The retail scene of Mokena is growing, and the dining options in the area are just as impressive, with
restaurants serving up a wide assortment of menus to satisfy every appetite. Start the day off right at one of the
community’s many delicious breakfast diners offering everything from pancakes and eggs to waffles and
omelets. Laid-back eateries and cafes are great for a light lunch, while local pubs and bar & grills are ideal for
pre-dinner appetizers or late-night snacks with friends. There are also a number of mouthwatering pizzerias,
steakhouses, fine dining establishments, fast-food facilities and restaurants serving delectable global fare.
Access to first-class education at all levels is a significant draw for families and employers interested in
relocating to Mokena. There are numerous early childhood education and daycare centers that cater to
working parents and provide a great learning base for children. The majority of students entering primary
school attend Mokena School District 159, while Frankfort School District 157-C, New Lenox School District
122 and Summit Hill School District 161 serve small portions of Mokena. All three primary school districts
feed into Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210. There are also alternatives to the K-8 public
school options in the Mokena area. Locally, students enroll at St. Mary’s Catholic School and the Noonan
Elementary Academy.
Graduating high school seniors and adults looking to enhance their skill sets are afforded a number of higher
learning opportunities in the southwest suburbs. Within 20 miles of Mokena, residents have access to several
colleges, universities and technical schools, including the Rasmussen College’s Mokena-Tinley Park campus,
ITT Technical Institute, Moraine Valley Community College, Governors State University, Lewis University,
the University of St. Francis, Prairie State College and South Suburban College.
Supporting the entire learning community in Mokena is the Mokena Community Public Library. The library
maintains a collection of more than 85,000 books and 300 periodicals, along with subscriptions to 18 area
newspapers and a number of literacy and history/genealogy products. Internet access, online research
databases and a year-round catalog of library programming are also part of the library offerings. More
information is available online at www.mokena.lib.il.us.
Situated at the crossroads of commerce and industry, Mokena is a bright spot for businesses drawn to the
merits of operating in the southwest suburbs.
New developments have sprouted up throughout town over the last few years, offering new and relocating
businesses prime locations along major commercial and industrial corridors. The expansive Mokena
Marketplace houses major tenants like JC Penney and PetSmart, which have helped generate a significant
amount of sales tax revenue and job creation in town. Other commercial sites emerging in the community
include The Promenade, The Boulevard, Meridian Center, Old Mill Pond, Mokena Corners and Downtown
Mokena.
The village has invested a lot in revitalizing its downtown district, recently finishing up various aesthetic
projects. Downtown Mokena offers many service-oriented businesses and continues to work on attracting new
retailers by offering some of the lowest municipal property taxes in the county, no local utility taxes and a
valuable Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District.
In addition to these emerging commercial sites are numerous industrial parks in the region. Mokena’s latest
addition is the 260-acre Corporate Corridors North development, which currently offers approximately two
million square feet of planned light industrial and commercial development. Further sites and facilities
designed to meet the demands for business and light industrial space include the Mokena Industrial Park,
Mokena Professional Centre I & II, LaGrange Ridge Business Park, Mokena Crossings, the Olivieri Business
Park, Corporate Corridors, Spring Lake Corporate Center and Silo Creek Business Park.
Area businesses are well-supported by various local resources dedicated to ensuring the success and economic
vitality of businesses and the community. The Mokena Chamber of Commerce, Chicago Southland Chamber
of Commerce and Village of Mokena Community and Economic Development Department are just some of
those resources offering a list of advantageous services and programs.
Mokena’s excellent location places it in close proximity to several major hospital campuses and a range of
outstanding healthcare resources. These providers come together to provide some of the highest quality
healthcare services and programs in the nation.
Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in nearby Joliet is a modern healthcare facility providing a range of
advanced medical services and programs comparable to those in a university-based hospital. The medical
center has earned many recognitions over the years, including HealthGrades’ Distinguished Hospital Award
for Clinical Excellence (for four consecutive years), the Emergency Medicine Excellence Award 2011 and a
five-star-rated, award-winning Women’s Health program. It also ranks highly in the areas of cardiac, stroke,
critical and gastrointestinal care, to name a few.
Silver Cross Hospital is also distinguished for its excellence, recently earning recognition as a 100 Top
Hospital by Thomson Reuters Healthcare for the seventh straight year (the only hospital in Illinois to do so).
Silver Cross Hospital continues to build on its commitment to excellence with the opening of its new
replacement hospital in New Lenox on February 26, 2012. The new campus sits on 76 acres and features the
main 289-bed hospital building, along with the Silver Cross Health Center, the Silver Cross Medical Services
Building, the Silver Cross Center for Women’s Health and the University of Chicago Cancer Center at Silver
Cross.
The Mokena community is also well-served by several other surrounding hospitals and healthcare networks.
St. James Hospital and Health Centers operates two main hospital campuses in Olympia Fields and Chicago
Heights, as well as the St. James Community Health Center of Mokena, which provides internal medicine,
pediatrics, open MRI, diagnostic imaging, physical therapy and diabetes services. The Heart Care Centers of
Illinois (HCCI) not only operates its administrative center in town, but also offers the HCCI Mokena Clinic –
a center providing diagnostic testing, cardiac catheterization, minimally invasive therapy options and much
more. Other medical sites within close reach of Mokena include Advocate Health Care, with four hospitals
and numerous health centers in the region, Palos Community Hospital in Palos Heights and an assortment of
specialty clinics, multi-specialty doctor groups and private physician practices.
Mokena is furnished with a forward-thinking group of leaders who are dedicated to enhancing the quality of
life in this growing south suburban community. The village’s policy-making branch is comprised of the
Village President (Mayor) and a six-person Board of Trustees, all of whom are elected at-large to staggered,
four-year terms. Village leadership also includes the Village Clerk and the Village Administrator. Board
meetings are held the second and fourth Mondays each month at 7 pm in Village Hall.
Faith and worship have always been a big part of community life in Mokena. More than 150 years ago, the
area’s earliest leaders placed high importance on worship, establishing several houses of worship in the
community – most of which maintain a presence in the area. Today, these longstanding congregations have
been joined by many modern religious institutions – together forming a strong and welcoming spiritual
community.
Mokena is also proud of its large group of active residents who regularly participate in area nonprofit clubs
and organizations. Mokena hosts branches of the Jaycees, Lions Club, Woman’s Club and VFW, along with a
medley of locally established organizations. Volunteer opportunities are also available through several village
committees and commissions. These groups work hard to foster strong community ties, provide leadership
and offer aid to those in need.
ABEFHLRW
Animal Services
Automotive - Sales
Automotive - Service
Business
Education
Financial
Health
Landscaping
Local Union
Real Estate
Recreation
Restaurants
Retail/Shopping
Waste Management
Animal Services
Mokena Animal Clinic, Ltd.
Julie Jerdina
9455 W. 191st Street
Mokena
IL, 60448
708-479-2811
Fax: [email protected]
www.mokenaanimalclinic.com
Automotive - Sales
CollegeCarsChicago.com
Zack Almattary
8520 W. 193rd St.
Mokena
IL, 60448
815-806-8686
Fax: [email protected]
www.collegecarschicago.com
Automotive - Service
Gamboa's Automotive
Bob Gamboa
19200 S. Wolf Rd.
Mokena
IL, 60448
708-479-6043
708-478-2050
Fax: [email protected]
Business
ELFCO
Sam Upreti
9860 Clearvue Ct.
Mokena
IL, 60448
708-560-2158
708-478-4499
Fax: [email protected]
www.elfco.com
Business
Running With The Big Dogs
Teri Brown
19307 Stonehenge Dr.
Mokena
IL, 60448
708-738-9815
Fax: [email protected]
Education
Mokena Community Public Library District
Dawn Ellingham
11327 W. 195th St.
Mokena
IL, 60448
708-479-9663
708-479-1690
Fax: [email protected]
www.mokena.lib.il.us
Education
Rasmussen College
Matt Lachey
1400 W. Normantown Rd.
Romeoville
IL, 60446
630-366-2985
815-306-2601
Fax: [email protected]
www.rasmussen.edu
Financial
Harris Bank
Renee Stagno
8400 W. 159th St.
Orland Park
IL, 60462
708-873-1685
708-873-1643
Fax: [email protected]
www.harrisbank.com
Financial
Bridgeview Bank Group - Randall Goss
Laura Slagter
7940 S. Harlem Ave.
Bridgeview
IL, 60455
708-728-7932
708-728-7838
Fax: [email protected]
www.bridgeviewbank.com
Financial
First National Bank
Jesse Hunt
19860 S. LaGrnage Rd.
Mokena
IL, 60448
708-478-3300
Fax: [email protected]
www.fnbiweb.com
Health
General Dentistry - Stephen E. Jarvie, DDS
Stephen E. Jarvie, DDS
9990 W. 190th St., Suite D
Mokena
IL, 60448
708-479-9797
708-479-4571
Fax: [email protected]
www.drjarvie.com
Health
Provena St. Joseph Medical Center
Jan Ciccarelli
333 N. Madison St.
Joliet
IL, 60435
815-725-7133
815-773-7794
Fax: [email protected]
www.provena.org/stjoes
Health
Duane E. Wolff, D.D.S., P.C. / Samantha L. Palazon, D.D.S.
Shawn Kurth
19160 88th Ave.
Mokena
IL, 60448
708-479-7733
Fax: [email protected]
www.wolffdental.com
Health
Shay Health Care Services
John Hayes
5730 W. 159th St.
Oak Forest
IL, 60452
708-535-4302
708-535-7520
Fax: [email protected]
www.shayhealthcare.com
Health
Shay Health Care Services, Inc.
John Hayes
5730 W. 159th St.
Oak Forest
IL, 60452
708-535-4302
708-535-7520
Fax: [email protected]
www.shayhealthcare.com
Landscaping
Area Landscape Supply, Inc.
Nicole Becker
18851 S. Wolf
Mokena
IL, 60448
708-479-8400
708-479-8499
Fax: [email protected]
www.arealandscapesupply.com
Local Union
Pipe Fitters' Training Center Local Union 597
Kevin Lakomiak
10850 W. 187th St.
Mokena
IL, 60448
708-326-9240
708-326-9241
Fax: [email protected]
www.pftf597.org
Real Estate
Teresa S. Udovich - Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell
Teresa Udovich
9645 Lincolnway Lane, Suite 102
Frankfort
IL, 60423
630-476-4242
630-469-0780
Fax: [email protected]
www.teresaudovich.com
Recreation
Lincolnway Special Recreation Association
Lana Graser
21800 S. LaGrange Rd.
Frankfort
IL, 60423
815-464-2811
Fax: [email protected]
www.lwsra.org
Restaurants
Fleckenstein's Bakery
Bob Fleckenstein
19225 S. LaGrange Rd.
Mokena
IL, 60448
708-479-5256
Fax: [email protected]
www.fleckensteins.com
Restaurants
Mr. Benny's Steak and Lobster House
Joy Leonardo
19200 Everett Ln.
Mokena
IL, 60448
708-478-5800
708-478-0167
www.mrbennyssteakhouse.com
Retail/Shopping
The Avon Store
Vicky Earley
7212 W. Benton Dr.
Frankfort
IL, 60423
815-464-0352
Fax: [email protected]
www.frankfortbeautycenter.com
Waste Management
NuWay Disposal
Dan Loerop
P.O. Box 9
Mokena
IL, 60448
708-798-1004
708-798-7193
Fax: [email protected]
www.nuwaydisposal.com
Copyright © 2011
VillageProfile.com, Inc.®
33 N. Geneva St.
Elgin, IL 60120
(800) 600 - 0134
www.villageprofile.com