Mokena, a village in Will County, Illinois, is located just southwest of Chicago. As of 2020, it has a population of 19,887, according to the census, and the number has slightly increased to 20,159 as estimated by the Census Bureau in 2019.

The name Mokena is believed to come from a translates to “turtle.” Although the exact language it stems from is unknown, possibilities include Anishinaabemowin, where “snapping turtle” is mikinaak, and Potawatomi, where the animal is referred to as mkenak. These languages were previously spoken in the region where the town is located.

The elementary school education in the area is provided by one of four school districts, namely Mokena School District 159, New Lenox School District 122, Frankfort School District 157C, and Summit Hill School District 161. The schools under District 159 include MES, MIS, and MJHS. The high school education is provided by Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210, where students from districts 159 and 122 attend Lincoln-Way Central High School, while students from districts 157C and 161 attend Lincoln-Way East High School. Additionally, Joliet Junior College and Rasmussen College offer higher education opportunities.

Mokena benefits from the Metra rail service Rock Island District, with two commuter rail stations, Hickory Creek and Front Street, connecting to downtown Chicago’s LaSalle Street Station and the Chicago Transit Authority. The village is conveniently located near I-80, providing easy access to I-355 (Veteran’s Memorial Tollway) and I-57. Major roads include US Route 45 (LaGrange Rd) and Wolf Rd running north–south, and 191st St, LaPorte Rd, and US Route 30 (Lincoln Highway) running east–west. Both the Metra RI District Railway and Canadian National Railway serve the area, with CN tracks to the south and Metra tracks cutting through the town from northeast to southwest.

Mokena has been home to a number of notable individuals throughout the years. Dean Anna, a professional baseball player, was born in Mokena, as was former University of Illinois and NBA player James Augustine. Sports radio host and Chicago Sun-Times columnist Terry Boers also calls Mokena home. Exene Cervenka, a singer and writer, grew up in the area, while actress, voice actress, and singer Karla DeVito was born in Mokena. Mixed martial artists Clay and Jason Guida, who are brothers, have ties to the community, as does state actor and former Wisconsin state legislator Don C. Hall. Former MLB player Ron Kittle lives in Mokena, as does model and actress Denise Richards. Lastly, racing driver Bob Strait was born in Mokena.