More residents means more cash

The first results of a special census show a 12 percent growth rate from 2000, netting additional revenue for the village, Mayor Robert Chiszar said this week.

Residents were so cooperative that the special census that began last month was “done ahead of schedule,” Chiszar said. Mokena’s population is now 16,348, he said.

Officials in rapidly growing towns arrange for special censuses to see if they might be eligible for more funding based on the number of new residents.

For Mokena, the jump in population translates to a revenue increase between $175,000 and $180,000, Village Administrator John Downs said. In 2000, Mokena recorded 14,583 residents, Downs said.