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CITY NEWS

GO BLACKHAWKS!

Good Luck to our Chicago Blackhawks in the playoffs!

Attempted Robbery in Darien

On Wednesday, April 30, at approximately 6:20 p.m., a 17 year old girl was walking on the path between Abbey Court and the back of the strip mall at the southwest corner of Lyman Ave. & 75th Street, when she was approached from behind by a black male described as approximately 20 years old, 5'08" in height, 150 pounds, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. The male demanded the women's purse and cell phone. The male fled in a westerly direction without the purse or phone. There was no threat of force or weapon implied and no physical contact made. The girl returned home then notified the Darien Police. The area was checked, the male was not located.

The Darien Police have increased patrol activity in the area.

The Darien Police remind residents to be keenly aware of their surroundings. Do not become distracted by texting or talking on the cell phone. Please call 9-1-1 to report suspicious individuals or activity.

Update on Woodridge Armed Robberies

The Woodridge Police Department is currently investigating three armed robberies that have occurred in Woodridge beginning April 25th. The last of these robberies occurred in the 7900 block of Janes Avenue on Monday, April 28th. There are no other reports of armed robbery that have occurred since that time. In each of incidents, the offender did not harm the victim(s).

Offender Description from April 28, 2014 armed robbery with a handgun:

Male/Hispanic

Height: 5'8-5'10

Age: Late teens/early twenties

Thin to Medium build

The suspect was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black jeans, a black baseball hat with a red bill, and his face was covered with a bandana.

We encourage all residents to be alert and pay attention to their surroundings. If you see something suspicious, report it immediately to the Police by calling 911. If you have any information on these incidents, please contact the Woodridge Police Detective Unit at (630) 719-4764 or via email at crimetips@vil.woodridge.il.us

Website Redesign Survey

Can you take a few moments to take our Website Redesign Survey? Your feedback is important in helping us to update our website and to include features that are important to our Residents!

Just click here to begin the survey.

Bryon Vana, City Administrator	(630) 353-8114
City Hall	(630) 852-5000
Police Department	(630) 971-3999
Public Works	(630) 852-5000

Mayor	Kathy Weaver
City Clerk	JoAnne Ragona
Treasurer	Michael J. Coren
Ward 1	Ted Schauer
Ward 2	Tina Beilke
Ward 3	Joseph A Kenny
Ward 4	Joerg Seifert
Ward 5	Joseph A. Marchese
Ward 6	Sylvia McIvor
Ward 7	Thomas J. Belczak

City Council Meetings

Monday, May 5

7:30 p.m.

Monday, May 19

7:30 p.m.

Agendas for City and Committee Meetings

The following links will direct you to the City Meeting and Committee agendas and packet information on our website. Stay informed on City issues and upcoming projects!

All Agendas

City Council Meeting Agenda

View Darien Meetings on YouTube!

You may now view city meetings on YouTube by clickng here.

Our user name is DarienCableChannel. You may still access meetings from the links on our website.

Meet & Greet Mayor Weaver!

The third Monday of every month at Darien City Hall from 6 - 7pm

Find out the latest city updates - Share your thoughts and suggestions - Get involved - Meet other residents!

View Darien Police Department Weekly Press Release

You may view the Darien Police Department weekly press release by clicking here

Submit an article for Direct Connect

You may submit an article for inclusion in Direct Connect by emailing mwintermute@darienil.gov

Nixle Text Alert Program

The Nixle text alert system provides for the City to send out urgent and emergency alerts via text messages. This a FREE service. To sign up for Nixle, visit our website and click on the nixle icon or visit the nixle website here.

Property Tax Bill Rates

Residents are now starting to receive their new property tax bills in the mail. The City has received questions asking why the city's portion of the tax bill increased from the previous year. In summary:

Last year's tax bill (2012) included a onetime tax abatement which reduced the 2012 city property tax levy by approximately $500,000.
That abatement of $500,000 reduced the city's portion of the property tax bill for all property owners.
The current tax bill does not include the one time abatement as was done in 2012, because this year the City determined all funds levied and collected by the City of Darien were needed for operations and future capital projects such as road repair, sidewalk repair, and storm water drainage projects.
If you compare your new tax bill to the last 4 years, you will see that the tax amount has remained about the same, with the exception of the 2012 abatement.

As a reminder, your total tax bill in based on a number of taxing districts which are all identified on your tax bill. If you have any questions please contact City Administrator, Bryon Vana, at 630-353-8114.

City of Darien Hiring Seasonal Workers

Looking for a summer job? The City of Darien is currently hiring seasonal workers for the Municipal Services Department. The positions assist with jobs such as grass cutting, branch pickup and chipping, and light construction work.

If you are interested please fill out an application here and fax it to (630) 852-4709 or drop it off at City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road, Darien

2014 Concrete Replacement Program

In conjunction with the street replacement program, the City of Darien is again offering reduced pricing to residents interested in replacing their sidewalks, driveways and aprons. Suburban Concrete was awarded the 2014 bid.

Resident wishing to replace their driveways should call Suburban Concrete directly at 847-837-8805, and inform them you are a Darien resident. Suburban Concrete will invoice you for the work.

Residents wishing to replace the sidewalk, apron or depress their driveway curb should call City Hall at 630-353-8102. The City will invoice you for this work.

For pricing please visit our website.The deadline to participate in this year's program is July 3.

Yard Waste Pickup

Advanced Disposal began yard waste pickup on April 1. Yard waste must be bagged in Kraft paper yard waste bags and must have 1 refuse sticker attached. 32 gallon trash cans may be used and must a have a yard waste identification label adhered to the front of the can, with a refuse sticker wrapped around the handle. Identification labels are available at city hall for free. For more information please contact Advanced Disposal at 708-409-9700.

Please Don't place Branches at the Curb Early

Each year the City of Darien receives numerous calls about branches left in the parkway for brush pickup. While the City of Darien chips branches for residents, if they are put out too early they look unsightly next to the road and if left on the grass could cause damage to the lawn. We ask that you keep your brush away from the street and find an area in the backyard until the next pickup. The brush may be placed at the curb the weekend prior to the pickup date. You may also drop off the brush at the Public Works Facility located at 1041 South Frontage Rd.

Your help in keeping Darien "A Nice Place to Live" is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions please call Municipal Services at (630) 353-8105.

2014 Free Branch Pickup Schedule

April 21 through 25

June 23 through 27

August 25 through 29

October 27 through 31

The City of Darien is pleased to be able to offer FREE BRANCH PICKUP for all residents within our boundaries. To help keep the streets clean and our crews on schedule, please stack the branches neatly by the curb on the Sunday before the pickup week. The chipper can accept branches up to 6" in diameter. Please do not tie the branches or put them in garbage cans. All other yard waste such as grass clippings and flowers should be disposed of through our yard waste program with Advanced Disposal.

All branches need to be out no later than the Sunday night prior to the designated pick up week. The chipping crew can make only one pass and may complete your street as soon as Monday morning.

Residents can also take their branches to the Municipal Services Facility, located at 1041 S. Frontage Road, and place at the designated location, labeled as "Branch". Branches will be accepted seven days a week from 5:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. Landscape companies hired to help with your branches may also take them to Municipal Services.

If you have any questions regarding branch pick up, please contact Municipal Services at 630-353-8105.

ComEd to Begin Tree Trimming

ComEd is committed to providing safe, reliable electric service. Vegetation Management plays a large part in that commitment. ComEd has scheduled maintenance tree trimming in Darien to begin in May. This work is necessary because trees interfering with electric wires can damage equipment and cause service outages and safety hazards.

They will be trimming any tree or brush that interferes with electric wires running from pole to pole. Trimming may or may not be required on your property, but all trees that do require trimming will be maintained during this project. Trimming will be performed by a qualified line clearance contractor using qualified utility arborists. There is no charge for this professional service. Homes scheduled to have the trees trimmed will receive a postcard notification.

If you have any questions regarding this process, call 1-800-Edison-1 (1-800-334-7661) and ask to speak with a Vegetation Management Representative, or visit our website at www.ComEd.com/trees

Nixle Emergency Text Alerts

The Nixle text alert system provides for the City to send out urgent and emergency alerts via text messages. This a FREE service. To sign up for Nixle, visit www.darien.il.us and click on the nixle icon or visit the nixle website at www.nixle.com

OTHER GOVERNMENT NEWS AND EVENTS

DuPage Forest Preserve Strategic Plan Input Requested

The DuPage Forest Preserve District is working on a large-scale strategic plan to establish forest preserve direction, and you can help. The District is hosting community meetings to find out firsthand what you think about topics such as facilities, programs and restoration projects. Registration is not required, but you can call (630) 933-TREE if you have any questions.

Visit www.dupageforest.org/survey between now and May 16th to take the district's survey. If you'd prefer a printed copy, call (630) 933-TREE, and one will be sent in the mail with a postage-paid return envelope. You can also fill out and submit a survey at select forest preserve locations.

DuPage County 75th Street Improvements

DuPage County construction on the 75^th Street improvements has begun. The construction schedule is available on the County website. The City of Darien will post updates on our website as they become available.

COMMUNITY NEWS AND EVENTS

Darien Chamber "Shop Local Shop Darien"

The Darien Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce their Shop Local Shop Darien Campaign. We encourage residents to support Darien Chamber businesses that display the Shop Local Shop Darien decal posted in their window. Shop Darien Shop Local Preferred Cards are now on sale for $5 at the Darien Chamber of Commerce office in City Hall or at local Darien Chamber member businesses. Visit the Chamber at www.darienchamber.com for all the Shop Local Shop Darien Preferred Offers and Discounts!

Indian Prairie Library Part Time Security Monitor Job Opening

Indian Prairie Public Library is seeking an energetic, customer service oriented person with excellent communication skills for this part-time Security Monitor position. This position is an average of 16 hours per week. Scheduled hours are Thursdays (3:30-9:15pm) and alternating Friday evenings (4:30-9pm) and weekends (Saturdays 9am-5pm and Sundays 1pm-5pm). The salary is $ 12.60 per hour.

Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent; Five years work experience; at least two years of experience working with the public where problem solving was required; Must be available on call for emergencies; Must be able to work evenings and weekends

Job Duties include:

Monitor the activity of library users, maintain order, and resolve discipline problems that occur within the library or on its grounds; Provide excellent customer service and hospitality assuring positive member experiences; Assist staff members as needed; Educate library users on appropriate behaviors and enforce library policy as necessary; Patrol the public areas of the library at least every 30 minutes and stay apprised of potential trouble-spots or individuals; Set up or move furniture or equipment as required, including meeting spaces; basic clean-up and maintenance duties as needed.

A complete job description and application is available at www.ippl.info and at the Check Out Desk on the first floor. Submit application to Laura Birmingham, Assistant Director, Indian Prairie Library, 401 Plainfield Road, Darien, IL 60561 or laurab@ippl.info. Applications are accepted until April 28, 2014.

Kids Library Cards at Indian Prairie Public Library

In preparation for its Make Some Noise Summer Reading Challenge, the Indian Prairie Public Library is hosting a special promotion for kids' library cards in May. Children who get their first library card during the month of May will receive a specially-designed kids' library card as well as a youth-sized book bag, sticker, and souvenir photo. For more information, visit www.ippl.info.

Fight Cancer Fun Fair

A "Fight Cancer Fun Fair" hosted by the EJH & Lace School Student Councils will be held on Saturday, May 3 from noon to 4:00pm at Eisenhower Junior High School. there will be games, a prize walk, jumpies, obstacle course and food.

Donations are welcome, and all proceeds will benefit the Cancer Smashers chosen charity. For more information please contact Beth at beth.tischler@bairdwarner.com

Darien Community Blood Drive Hosted by the VFW

The Darien Community Blood Drive will take place on Tuesday, May 6, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lace School - 7414 Cass Avenue. Walk-ins Welcome! Prepare for your donation: Eat Well - Stay Hydrated - Bring I.D. For more information please call 877-543-3768

District #61 Educational Foundations "Spring for Education" Raffle

The Darien District 61 Educational Foundation is selling tickets for its third annual "Spring for Education" raffle fundraiser. This year's top prizes are an Apple iPad Air (16GB) tablet computer, a two-night stay at the all-suites Delavan Lake Resort near Lake Geneva, Wis., and 100 Illinois Lottery $1 scratch-off tickets. Other prizes include Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox and Chicago Wolves tickets, Pandora Jewelry, a one-hour massage and restaurant gift certificates. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20.

To buy tickets, call Barbara at 630-515-5078 or David at 773-450-9393. The drawing will be at 7:30 pm Friday, May 9, during the Art Fest at Mark DeLay School in Darien. Ticketholders don't need to be present to win. Tickets also will be sold at the event prior to the drawings.

Since the Foundation was launched in May 2009, more than $20,000 in teacher grants and other direct aid to District 61 students has been awarded. For more information about the Foundation as well as a complete list of raffle prizes, please visit www.darien61foundation.org

Electronic Recycling Event

Christ the Servant Church in Woodridge will host an Electronic Recycling Event on Saturday, May 10th. The event will take place in the church parking lot at 87th Street and Havens Drive from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Any type of electrical equipment such as printers, monitors, phones, toasters, and other items with an electrical cord will be accepted for recycling. TV's are expensive and time consuming to dismantle and recycle, so the church is asking for a small donation to recycle them. Books will also be collected for recycling by DuPage County sustainability organization SCARCE. Both paperbacks and hardcover books will be accepted.

Indian Prairie Library "Tech Talk Discussion Group"

Technology users of all skill levels are invited to join the Indian Prairie Public Library's new monthly Tech Talk discussion group. Led by a library staff member, each month's discussion will highlight a new technology trend and useful tips will be shared.

Discussion topic will be Tablet Maintenance and Tips on Tuesday, May 13, at 7 p.m.

The discussions are free for IPPL cardholders. Register online, by phone at (630) 877-8760 x239, or in-person at the library's Adult Ask Us Desk.

Woodridge Rotary Recycling Extravaganza

On Saturday, May 17, from 8:00 a.m. to noon, the Woodridge Rotary Club, its partner groups and various recycling organizations will hold its 5th Recycling Extravaganza at Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park, 8301 Janes Ave. in Woodridge. Paper shredding will take place and a variety of items will be collected for recycling as in the past. Specific information can be found on the Woodridge Rotary Website.

Darien Dash Registration

The Darien Dash will be held on Sunday, May 18 at Darien Community Park. The 10k and 5k start time is 8:30 and 1 Mile Fun Run 8:40. Once again the Chamber will award $2000 to local schools and $500 to local youth organization, school foundation or booster with the most registered participants. Register online at the Dash Website

Darien Garden Club 2014 Plant Sale

The Darien Garden Club will be conducting a plant sale co-sponsored by the Indian Prairie Public Library on Saturday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the library grounds, 401 Plainfield Road, rain or shine. The sale will offer tried and true perennials dug from our members' gardens, named varieties of day-lilies, some annuals, vegetables and herbs. Our plants are all very reasonably priced and our members are happy to share their gardening wisdom. There will also be a raffle of garden-related items.

Proceeds from this event are used to support garden club programming, scholarships for local high-school and college students, and other philanthropic activities of the garden club.

Darien Youth Club Soccer Training Registration Now Open

DYC will be hosting a week-long training session for boys and girls grades 3 through 8 at Midway Field in Willowbrook starting Monday July 21st thru Friday July 25th. All sessions will be 1 hour of skill training followed by 30 minutes of instructional scrimmage. All sessions will be coached by DYC Soccer Commissioner Ray Baldwin and local high school/college-aged players.

SUMMER SOCCER TRAINING REGISTRATION:

Register by June 30 and fee is $35 per player for the full week of training. Register after June 30 and the fee is $50 per player for the full week of training.

EARLY BIRD BONUS:

Register by May 31, and your child will be invited to attend an instructional viewing party of two World Cup Soccer games at no charge. Exact dates and venue will be determined at a later date.

For more information please contact Ray at dycsoccer1@gmail.com or visit www.darienyoutheclub.org

St. John Lutheran Church Preschoolers Summer Day Camp

The St. John Lutheran Early Learning Center located 7214 South Cass Avenue in Darien will be offering three two-week Summer Day Camp sessions this year. They will help extend children's learning over the summer months. Each camp will feature a themed and play-based curriculum to provide the preschool child with fun-filled, hands-on, sensory experiences that encourage exploration, discovery, and creativity.

The schedule for each session will be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday as follows: Under the Sea Adventures, June 3-5, 10-12; Blast Off to Outer Space, June 17-19, 24-26; Summer Fun, July 1-3, 15-17.

The cost for each session is $150. A deposit of $25 is required for each session. The deposit will be deducted from the cost of the session. Full payment must be made on or before the first day of the session. Each child is responsible for bringing his/her own snack and juice each day.

If you would like more information or wish to enroll your child, email elc@sjlcdarien.org or call 630-324-6582.

Darien Lions Club "Big Raffle"

The Darien Lions Club is holding their annual BIG RAFFLE. Only 375 tickets will be sold. It is a $100 Donation per ticket.1st Prize $10,000.00, 2nd Prize $5,000.00, 3rd Prize $2,500.00, 4th thru 13th place receive $200 Dollars each.

To purchase a ticket Call Darien Lions Big Raffle Chairman Lion John at 708-516-9966, or click on www.darienlions.org for more information. Drawing will take place at the Darien Lions Golf outing on Thursday, June 5, and you do not have to be present to win.

Cass 63 Foundation for Educational Excellence 2014 Golf Outing

Cass 63 foundation for Educational Excellence will host their annual Golf Outing & Silent Auction on Wednesday, June 11 at the Village Greens of Woodridge Golf Coarse. Shot gun start at 12:30 p.m., followed by fun, drinks, food, games, auctions & more! Awards and cocktails at 5:30 p.m., BBQ Buffet dinner at 7:00 p.m. For more information visit their website.