| Type | Weekly newspaper |
|---|---|
| Format | Tabloid |
| Owner | 22nd Century Media |
| Editor | Joseph Hillenmeyer and Colleen Sheehan |
| Founded | August 16, 2007 |
| Headquarters | 11516 W. 183rd St. Unit SW, Office Condo #3 Orland Park, IL 60467 |
| Circulation | 8,985 homes and businesses[1] |
| Official website | mokenamessenger.com |
The Mokena Messenger is a weekly hyper-local community newspaper based in the Village of Mokena, Illinois dedicated to the coverage of local news. The Mokena Messenger is published by parent company, 22nd Century Media and is the sister paper of The Orland Park Prairie, The Homer Horizon, The Frankfort Station, The New Lenox Patriot, and The Tinley Junction. The Messenger is delivered free every Thursday via the U.S. Mail to every home and business in Mokena, Illinois. As of July 2009, circulation of The Mokena Messenger is estimated at 8,985 homes and businesses[1].
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The fifth newspaper published by 22nd Century Media, The Mokena Messenger was founded in 2007. The first issue was August 16, 2007. The online edition of The Mokena Messenger was launched in 2007 and can be found at http://www.mokenamessenger.com. The Mokena Messenger relies one-hundred percent on advertising revenues.
The Mokena Messenger is focused solely on the coverage of Mokena news. The Messenger is part of a new series of hyper-local newspapers that focus on micro-stories within a single community. The Mokena Messenger is composed of four main sections: News, Sports, Local Living, and Life & Arts. 22nd Century Media publications believe in maintaining strict objectivity and neutrality on political issues. The company's papers do not endorse candidates nor do they support ballot items. Instead, The Mokena Messenger strives to give readers all information from both sides, in turn, allowing readers to make their own decisions. The goal of 22nd Century Media newspapers is to act as the voice, eyes and ears of its towns.
On July 10, 2008, The Mokena Messenger was the first area paper to carry the story of a resident seeking to change the Village’s form of government from one in which trustees are elected at-large to a system where they are elected from districts. The issue became a hot-button one in the November 2008 election and many town hall meetings were held on the issue after The Messenger first reported it.[2] The Messenger also covers Mokena School District 159, Lincoln-Way School District 210, Frankfort Township and a small portion of Summit Hill School District 161.
In addition to the print content, The Messenger posts interactive videos, photo galleries, and a calendar online at http://www.mokenamessenger.com. Users can create an account, build a personal profile, post comments, upload original content, and interact with other users all at the click of a mouse. 22nd Century Media sends out to e-mail subscribers weekly topical e-newsletters, breaking news alerts, and a weekend guide called Weekly Scoop. As of July 2009, more than 3,500 people subscribe to Weekly Scoop.
Editors: Joseph Hillenmeyer
Assistant Editor: Amanda Jacobs
Web Editor: Lauren Franco Joseph Hillenmeyer and Colleen Sheehan were the first editors of The Mokena Messenger.
The Mokena Messenger was first eligible to receive awards in 2008. To date, the paper has received one award, 2nd Place 2009 - Best Feature Story, from the Suburban Newspapers of America.