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CITY NEWS

GO BLACKHAWKS!

Good Luck to our Chicago Blackhawks in the playoffs!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible. ~Marion C. Garretty,

The City of Darien wishes all Mothers a very happy Mothers Day. Thank you for all you do for your families, and for the City of Darien!

Suspicious Vehicle Report

The Darien Police received a report on May 6, 2014 from two Eisenhower Junior High School students related to a suspicious vehicle.

The students reported that on May 5, 2014, while walking home after school between 2:25pm and 3:30pm, they were westbound 73rd Street from Park when they noticed a white work style van that appeared to be following the students from a distance. The driver of the van did not attempt to make any contact with the students. The vehicle left in an unknown direction when one of the students pulled out his cell phone.

The vehicle was described as a white work style van, no rear windows, no lettering or company name. The van had rust along the bottom frame and squeaky brakes. No license plate information was provided.

The driver was described as a male, Caucasian, approximately mid 30's in age, with black hair.

The incident was reported to school administration on May 6th. The police were then contacted. The Darien Police ask that residents contact the police with any suspicious individual or vehicles in their neighborhood by calling 9-1-1.There will be increased police presence in the area.

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

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.

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.

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 19

7:30 p.m.

Monday, June 2

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.

Building Permit Fee Holiday Continued into 2014

The City Council has approved a resolution to continue to waive certain residential building permit fees for the following budget year. The goal is to encourage home improvements and provide a financial incentive to those residents that are planning home projects. A similar program was successfully initiated in 2001, 2011 and 2013. The proposal waives the building permit fee for residents and business/property owners. Permits must still be obtained, and fees paid to outside vendors necessary to ensure the safety of the project are still applicable. Below is an example of permits that will have permit fees waived now thru April, 2015. For more information please call the Building Department at 630-353-8115.

Air Conditioner Replacement

Deck

Demolition

Driveways/Sidewalks

Fence

Landscape

Lawn Sprinkler

Patio

Roof

Shed

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.

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.

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 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.

DuPage Couty Latex Paint Recycling

DuPage County will host a latex paint recycling program from June 9 to July 3 at Woodridge Greene Valley Wastewater Treatment Facility, 7900 S. Route 53 in Woodridge.

LATEX PAINT RECYCLING: Residents can drop off their usable unwanted latex paint during the designated summer collections listed above free of charge. Usable paint is paint that has not been frozen, is less than 10 years in age and has not been mixed with other products.

FREE RECYCLED LATEX PAINT: (available starting June 16th) The paint will be filtered and re-blended into a variety of colors, types, and finishes. Recycled paint will be distributed to residents for free during same hours at location. Paint is offered free of charge to any resident, business, non-profit etc. in 5-gallon containers.

HOURS:

Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Saturday, June 14th & June 28th 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

For more information, contact DuPage County Public Works Dept. at (630) 985-7400

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!

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.

Discover Public Records Online at Indian Prairie Public Library

Learn about Public Records Online at the Indian Prairie Public Library on Thursday, May 15, from 7 to 8 p.m. Jeff Metcalf, founder and CEO of Record Information Services, Inc., will demonstrate how to use the redesigned public records system to find real estate transactions, new homeowners and businesses, and foreclosures in the Chicagoland area. The program is free and will take place in the Meeting Room on the second floor of the library. Participants can register online at www.calendar.ippl.info, by phone at (630) 887-8760 x239, or in-person at the library's 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 Next Sunday!

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 Park District 40th Anniversary Celebration

The Darien Park District is having a 40th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, May 18 from 2pm to 4pm at 7301 Fairview Avenue. Join the fun! Free entertainment, Games and Crafts. For more information please call 630-968-6400.

Darien Park District First Steps Preschool 20th Reunion

The Darien Park District is having its 20th reunion for the First Steps Preschool on Sunday, May 18 from 2pm to 4pm at 7301 Fairview Avenue. All past and current students are invited!

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 Park District Outdoor Flea Market

The Darien Park District will host an outdoor flea market on Saturday, May 31 from 9am to 1pm at the Darien Sportsplex parking lot, 451 Plainfield Road. Shop till you drop! For more information please call 630-968-6400.

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.