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CITY NEWS

Happy Independence Day

Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty. ~Louis D. Brandeis

The City of Darien wishes you a happy Fourth of July. Please celebrate safely!

City Offices Closed for Independence Day

Darien City Hall & Municipal Services Department will be closed on Friday, July 4, for the Independence Day holiday.

For any Police response please dial 9-1-1

Refuse & Recycling Delay

Refuse and recycling pickup will be delayed by one day on July 4, and will be collected on Saturday, July 5. Advanced Disposal may be contacted at 708-409-9700.

Fourth of July Parade Route Changed

The Darien Lions Club Fourth of July Parade will be held on Friday July 4 beginning at 9:30am. Due to the construction on 75^th street this year the parade will have a new parade route.

The parade will start from the Jewel parking lot at 75^th and Cass Avenue. The parade will proceed north on Cass Avenue to 71^st Street. At 71^st Street the parade will head east until Clarendon Hills Road where it will go south towards the end point at Hinsdale South High School.

The Darien Lions Club encourages the youth in the area to participate in the Bike Decoration contest. Decorate your bike for the holiday and be at the Jewel parking lot at 9:00 A.M. Award given to the best boy and best girl decorated bike.

Fourth of July Fireworks Show

The Fourth of July firework show will take place at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Friday, July 4, at the Zigfield Troy golf course (1535 75th Street). The best views of the fireworks will be from the parking lots along 75th Street. This year's show is co-sponsored by the Village of Downers Grove, the Village of Woodridge and the City of Darien and will be approximately 25 minutes long.

Fireworks Safety

In 2012, Hospital Emergency rooms treated an estimated 8700 people for fireworks related injuries.

Every year in the United States, we celebrate the Fourth of July with community parades, picnics, barbecues, and fireworks - the things of which happy memories are made. But sadly, Independence Day also includes tragic events resulting from fireworks use. In 2010, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 8,600 people for fireworks-related injuries; 55% were to extremities, 31% to the head. The risk of fireworks injury was highest for young people aged 15 to 24, followed by children under 10.

On July 4th in a typical year, far more fires are reported than any other day, and fireworks account for 2 out of 5 of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.

In order to assure that our community is safe during the holiday, we are reminding you that fireworks are illegal and local ordinances prohibiting fireworks will be strictly enforced.

Please help the Darien Police Department and the Community by making this the safest Fourth of July possible.

Important Police Info on Gypsy / Ruse Crimes

Spring, Summer and Fall are very active for Gypsy related criminal activities and for Distracted (Ruse) entry burglaries. Please visit our website for important Police information on these crimes, and ways to protect yourself.

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, July 7

7:30 p.m.

Monday, July 21

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.

City Hall Entrance Closed for Construction

The front entrance of City Hall is under construction and is CLOSED thru Monday, July 7. Services will be available at the lower level employee entrance at the front of the building facing Plainfield Rd.. We appreciate your patience, and ask that you visit City Hall after the construction, if possible.

As an alternative, refuse stickers can be purchased at many area stores, including Jewel and CVS. Water payments can be mailed, dropped off to DuPage County Public Works, or payments by check in sealed envelopes may dropped off at the Police Department during normal business hours. The drop box at city hall in unavailable during the construction.

Darien Police Dept. Accepting Applications

Darien Police Department is currently accepting applications. For requirements, an online application and release forms go to: PublicSafetyRecruitment.com For questions please call 1-800-343-HIRE

Application and requested documentation is due by 4:00p.m. on Monday, July 28, 2014. Mandatory testing will be held on August 23, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. at Hinsdale South High School in Darien, Illinois. EOE

Darien Switches Energy Supplier to Verde Energy

The City of Darien elected to continue its electric aggregation program, accepting the lowest bid from Verde Energy over four other suppliers. The rate, 7.753c per kilowatt hour, is higher than the low 4.54c Darien received in a previous bid, but is still projected to be lower than other options. Highlights include:

The City of Darien bid rate of 7.753c is projected to be lower than the ComEd rate plus the purchased electricity adjustment on customer bills, which is not included on our bills
Residents can opt in and out of the program at any time at no cost
If the City of Darien did not have its own program, residents that were moved to the ComEd rate and did not move to a new supplier within two billing cycles would be stuck with the ComEd rate for an entire year

Letters for the "opt-out" option were mailed to residents in May, and a 2nd confirmation letter from ComEd was sent this week. To stay with Verde, you do not have to do anything. The switch is automatic. If you have questions about the program, call Scott Coren at (630) 353-8104.

The City of Darien Now on Twitter!

The City of Darien is now on Twitter. Follow us at https://twitter.com/CityofDarien to receive valuable and timely information from the City!

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

Nuisance Mosquito Alert

The City of Darien has a comprehensive mosquito abatement program run through Clarke Mosquito Control. However, as temperatures begin to rise, you may see an increase in the mosquito population. We ask that you assist the City of Darien and your neighbors reduce the mosquito population:

Reporting standing water areas on public property, especially backyard catchbasins, to Clarke Mosquito at 800-942-2555. The City of Darien treats storm inlets on streets, ditches, retention and detention basins, and areas that generally hold stormwater areas, but if you identify a new spot we would like to get it included on our lists.
Getting rid of old tires, buckets, bottles or any items in your yard that may hold water
Changing the water in birdbaths, watering cans, plant pots and drip trays no less frequently than once per week
Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house so adult mosquitoes will not hide there

Even with all these steps, there still may be mosquitoes in the area, as they have the ability to fly many miles. When you are out in your yard, we would recommend wearing long sleeves and pants to cover skin when possible or using a mosquito repellent.

2014 Street Rehab Schedule

The City of Darien is continuing its street repaving project. Our goal is to improve the streets while inconveniencing the residents as little as possible. Residents living on these streets will receive flyers with information and timelines before the paving occurs. The Following streets are scheduled for resurfacing the weeks of June 30 & July 7. For more information call Municipal Services at 630-353-8105

Brittany Court	Norman Dr to limit
Canterbury Court	Norman Dr to limit
Carrol Ln	Summit to Gigi
Cherokee Dr	Seminole to Darien Ln
Coventry Court	Norman Dr to limit
Farmingdale Dr	Glen-Portsmouth
Gigi Ln	Fairview To 75th
Sawyer Rd	79th-Portsmth
Wirth Ln	Gigi to 71st

2014 Concrete Replacement Program - Deadline Extended

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 years program has been extended to July 31.

OTHER GOVERNMENT NEWS AND EVENTS

Darien Park District Newsletter

Darien Park District has a new newsletter with valuable information on upcoming events and other useful information in it. You can view the newsletter by clicking here.

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!

Indian Prairie Library Looking for Volunteers

The Indian Prairie Public Library is seeking adults who would like to share stories from their youth as part of the library's Memory Drive program.

Memory Drive is an intergenerational program in which teens will interview adults to document stories from their school years. Using A/V equipment, teens will create and edit a multimedia clip for each interview, ultimately creating a digital story collection that will be shared on the library's website and social media pages.

The program will run through Aug. 8, and participants and their families will be invited to a special screening of the interview clips in August. Interested participants can email stacyp@ippl.info or call (630) 887-8760 ext. 245. This project is cosponsored by the Rotary Club of Darien.

Learn to Fish at Indian Prairie Library

Learn the basics of fishing from Lake Park High School Head Bass Fishing Coach Tim Czuba at the Indian Prairie Public Library on Tuesday, July 8, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. In Fishing for Fun and Recreation Part I, Czuba will cover how to choose rods, reels, and tackle, plus tying knots, picking bait, and where to fish. The program is free and will take place in the Meeting Room on the second floor of the library, 401 Plainfield Rd. in Darien.

Fishing for Fun and Rec Part II will meet at Willow Pond in Willowbrook (Plainfield Rd. and Adams St.) on Tuesday, July 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Using their own tackle, participants will apply all of the topics from the first program. Casting and retrieving techniques will be shown, as well as safety. The program is free, and children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

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.

Indian Prairie Library Host Great Grilled Cheese Battle

The Indian Prairie Public Library and Whole Foods are partnering to co-host the first-ever Great Grilled Cheese Battle. The competition will take place Saturday, July 12, at 1 p.m. at Whole Foods Market, 201 63rd St. in Willowbrook. Participants will craft the most delectable sandwich possible by choosing from a variety of fresh and natural ingredients provided by Whole Foods. Judges will then choose a winner based on taste, presentation, creativity, and difficulty. Teens in grades 7 through 12 can compete solo or as a team of two. The registration deadline is Monday, July 7, and participants can register online at www.calendar.ippl.info, by phone at (630) 887-8760 x264, or in-person at the library's Kids & Teens Ask Us Desk.

Chamber of Commerce "Summer Bash Weekend"

Please join the fun July 25 - July 27 at Chestnut Court Shopping Center, 75th & Lemont. There will be a sidewalk sale all weekend with prizes, food and music! Sales galore at participating merchants, Meet & Greet Adirondack chair artist. First 100 guest receive a goodie bag! For a full schedule please visit the chamber website.

Darien Park District Farmers Market!

The Darien Park District will be hosting a Farmers Market on Wednesdays from June 11th thru October 8. The Market will run from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m at the Darien Community Park 71st Street Parking Lot.

The Farmers Market will feature a wide variety of seasonally fresh vegetables and fruits, and other fine offerings from local vendors.

Darien Youth Club Soccer Registration

Outdoor Soccer

* No tryouts, all kids play!

* All kids grades K-8th are welcome & eligible to participate regardless of residence

* Early bird registration ends June 30th

* Season will run from end of August - October

* All programs coached by parents and volunteers

Summer Soccer Training

Is your 3-8th grade child looking for a fun week of soccer training? Sign up today! $35 per child - early bird registration ends July 1st. Soccer training schedule for the week of July 21-25 available on the DYC website.

For more information please visit www.darienyoutheclub.org