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CITY NEWS
Darien Pointe Park Construction Under Way!
 

We are pleased to let our residents and businesses know that Darien Pointe Park construction is well under way. The picture above shows the fountain and paver bricks that have been installed and landscaping being planted. Watch in the next two weeks as the clock tower is erected! 

The park will be a significant improvement to the corner, and a dynamic focal point for what is considered by most residents as the "Town Center" of Darien! The rendering below shows how the completed park will generally look. The final design includes revised clock tower colors, and the business identification sign has been relocated further to the east.

 

DuPage County 75th Street Improvements
We are pleased to let our residents and businesses know that DuPage County has substantially completed the 75th Street Improvement project.

The pavement and resurfacing work is complete and some remaining concrete sidewalk installation will soon be completed. We previously advised that the DuPage County had approved an accelerated construction schedule to complete the 75th Street Reconstruction Project by Thanksgiving. Due to rain over the Thanksgiving weekend the contractor was not able to complete the roadwork. However, with the weather conditions the week after, the paving was able to be completed.

The remaining sod restoration within the right of ways will be completed soon pending weather conditions. The County is also currently working on an enhanced landscape plan that will include various plantings and is scheduled for spring of 2015.  
Team Darien Crime Blockers REWARD

Darien is offering a reward of $5,000.00 for Information leading to the arrest of an offender in the recent rash of residential burglaries in Darien.

 

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

 

Sergeant Greg Cheaure at 630-353-8358 or gcheaure@darienil.gov 

Crime Analyst Stacy Sherman at 630-353-8145 or ssherman@darienil.gov 

Police Chief Ernest Brown at 630-353-8351 or

ebrown@darienil.gov

Click here to view Reward Flyer 
City Administrator
(630) 353-8114
(630) 852-5000
(630) 971-3999
(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, December 15
7:30 p.m.

Monday January 5
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 of Darien Tweets! 

The City of Darien is now on Twitter.  Please follow us at Cityofdarien. 
Holiday Lights Tour

The popular Holiday Lights Tour will be on Monday, December 22 this year. The tour will be on school buses, and will run through the City, passing by each of the holiday lights winners. This event is free and open to Darien Residents. Because of the high demand each year, reservations are given on a first come first serve basis. To make a reservation, please call City Hall at 630-852-5000.

Holiday Lights Recycling

Don't know what to do with the old strands of Christmas lights that are tangled and broken?  Don't throw them in the garbage - recycle them!  The City of Darien has again partnered with Elgin Recycling to offer our residents free recycling of holiday lights!  Last year Darien residents recycled 1432 pounds of Holiday Lights. Not only did this keep them from ending up in the landfill, the city made a profit of $214.80.

 

All light colors and strand lengths will be accepted. Items include mini-lights (Italian lights), C7 lights, C9 lights, rope lights, LED lights, and extension cords.   (Please - no CFLs).  Now through February 8 you may bring your lights to the Darien Police Department lobby at 1710 Plainfield Road Monday thru Friday from 7am to 7pm, and Saturday & Sunday from 7am to 3pm.  For more information please call 630-353-8115 or visit www.elginrecycling.com   
Citizen of the Year Search

It's that time of year again when we begin our search for a very special man or woman who has given of themselves to make Darien a "Nice Place to Live"!  The Citizen of the Year Committee is accepting nominations for the 2014 Citizen of the Year.  If you know of a person who goes "above and beyond the call of duty" ... is always there when someone needs a hand ... and who has contributed to make Darien a special place, please write a letter to the committee or fill out one of our official nomination forms that can be found at any time during the year at City Hall or at the Indian Prairie Library.  Nominations may be also be submitted on our website. 

 

A nominee must be a resident of Darien and cannot currently be an elected official. The deadline for nominations is January 7th.

Local City of Darien Election Packets & Filing Deadline

Individuals seeking to run for the office of Mayor, Clerk, Treasurer, Alderman Ward 2, Alderman Ward 4, or Alderman Ward 6 can pick up a packet at Darien City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road.  The packet contains documents necessary for individuals to be placed on the ballot for the April 7, 2015 Consolidated General Election. Candidates are encouraged to seek the advice of legal counsel before filing nomination papers, which must be in apparent conformity. The first day to file is December 15th at 8:30 A.M.; the last day to file is December 22 at 5:00 P.M. Regular business hours at City Hall are Monday thru Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

 
Official Facebook, Twitter & Nixle Links 
There are several Facebook pages that come up when doing a search for our City page.  Please use this link to "Like" us for city contact information and current city news on the   City of Darien Official Facebook Page

The City of Darien Now "Tweets"!  Please follow us on twitter at  Cityofdarien.

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.
OTHER GOVERNMENT NEWS AND EVENTS
School District #61 Board of Education Meeting Schedule 

School District #61 Board of Education Meeting Schedule:

 

December 16, 7:00 pm at Lace School. Regular Board of Education Meeting

DuPage County Water Quality Survey 

DuPage County Stormwater Management is encouraging residents and business owners to complete a brief survey regarding water quality in the County's waterways. Stormwater Management is conducting the survey to measure public awareness of stormwater runoff and its effect on local streams and rivers. In an effort to attain healthier waterways nationwide, public education about water quality is among activities mandated by the Clean Water Act. Responses will be used to create and modify water quality outreach materials, which are aimed at educating residents on ways to reduce pollution in the County's waterways. The end goal is to make local rivers and streams supportive of both aquatic life and recreational uses. The survey is available through the end of November at  www.surveymonkey.com/s/dpcwaterquality.

Electronic Recycling Information 

The State of Illinois has banned computers, monitors, printers, televisions, and other electronics from landfills. If any of these items are left curbside, they will not be picked up.  There are many options to responsibly recycle your electronics throughout DuPage County. Residents are encouraged to visit the DuPage County website or SCARCE for information on how to recycle electronics.

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!

Darien Lions Club Food Basket Program 

The Darien Lions Club is planning its 40th annual Food Basket Program this holiday season.  The cost to support one family is $75.00 which provides about a weeks' worth of food and gifts for the family. Checks can be made payable to the Darien Lions Club Foundation and mailed to 1702 Plainfield Rd, Darien IL  60561. 

 

This project has grown to one of our strongest humanitarian projects and any and all donations are greatly appreciated.  For additional information please contact Food Basket Chairman Don at 630-280-4722 or visit our websites at www.darienlions.org or  

www.darienlionsclubfoundation.org. 
Toy Express Toy Collection at Darien Police Department  
Toy Express is a charitable organization that helps to provide toys to 2000+ DuPage County Children.  You can help by dropping off NEW, unwrapped to the collection box at the Darien Police Department at 1710 Plainfield Road, Monday thru Friday 7am to 7pm, Saturday & Sunday, 7am to 3pm.
Indian Prairie Library Collecting Food Donations 

Help the Indian Prairie Public Library help the community this holiday season by donating nonperishable food and personal care items to its Food for Fines program thru December 14. All items collected will be distributed to the food pantries at Our Lady of Peace and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. If those making donations have fines due, the library will waive one dollar of fines owed for each item donated.

 

Suggested donations include:

 

Boxed or canned foods - Canned meat and tuna - Toilet paper and paper towels - Facial tissues and shampoo - Toothpaste and deodorant

 

No opened or expired items, please.

Darien Woman's Club Soap Collection  

The Darien Woman's Club is collecting laundry soap, dish soap, liquid hand soap, bar soap, body wash, shampoo, and conditioner in conjunction with the Darien Lions Club Holiday Food Basket program and the Darien Park District for local families in need during this holiday season.   

 

Boxes for soap donations have been placed at the following locations:  Mark DeLay and Lace Schools, Eisenhower Jr. High and Cass Jr. High, Indian Prairie Library, Darien Park District at 7301 Fairview, Republic Bank of Chicago at 1510 75th St., and First Merchants Bank at 8301 Cass.  Donations will be accepted thru Wednesday, December 17. 

 

Thank you for your support and community spirit.  For further information please contact Mary Beardsley, webmaster@darienwomansclub.org.

Brookhaven Plaza Holiday Happenings  

Brookhaven Plaza will host Holiday Events in December. On December 13 beginning at noon, Eisenhower Jr. High will be walking the shopping center and delighting patrons with music of the season.  On December 20, Santa will visit at Dunkin Donuts, from 10am to Noon. He will also be walking the center to greet patrons.

Indian Prairie Library to Host Gaming Lock-In for Teens 
The Indian Prairie Public Library will host its first-ever Gaming Lock-In for teens on Saturday, December  20, from 5:30-11:30 p.m. Participants in grades 7-12 will play console games, PC games, and card games all night. Gamers can bring their laptops or PCs for League of Legends play and $5 to chip in for pizza. The program is free and will take place at the library. Registration is required 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 and Teens Ask Us Desk.
Join the Darien Seniors Club!  
Doing - Sharing - Caring!  The Darien Seniors Club was founded in 1975, to serve Darien and surrounding communities Senior Citizens.   If you are age 55 or older please join!  Darien residency is not required.  The club meets ay noon on the second Tuesday of each month at the Darien Sportsplex, 451 Plainfield Road.  For more information please call 630-852-6482 

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