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CITY NEWS

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.

Free Christmas Tree Pickup

The City of Darien has partnered with Advanced Disposal to provide free Christmas tree pick-up again this year. On the weeks of January 5 and January 12, Advanced Disposal will collect Christmas trees left in the parkway on your normal garbage day.

For the trees to be picked up, they must be free of all ornamentation, including garland, lights, and tinsel. If the tree is bagged, it will need a sticker to be picked up.

If you have any questions regarding this program, call 630-852-5000.

Burglary Prevention

Our police partners across the country are reporting that residential burglars in their jurisdictions are surreptitiously placing GPS, tracking devices on the automobiles of perspective burglary victims. One such effort was identified and the burglary suspect was convicted of burglary after pleading guilty to placing the device on the victim's car. This may account for the pinpoint accuracy with which recent burglaries in our community occurred when residents were away from home for very brief periods of time. We, in the Darien Police Department are in no way certain that our burglaries were committed in this manner. However, in the interest of ensuring that our citizens are armed with the most up to date prevention information, we are providing this update.

In order to ensure that you are not victimized in this way, you may take some steps to lower the risk.

1. If you have a garage, whenever possible place your car inside the garage.

2. Make sure your garage door is closed and locked.

3. Don't advertise you future or pending vacation plans.

4. Once on vacation don't put your location or itinerary on social media.

5. There are several companies that sell GPS detectors, these products work on ACTIVE tracking devices.

If you notice anything on your vehicle that is not factory installed, please notify the Darien Police Department by calling 911. Most often the tracker will be placed on your car's undercarriage or wheel well. Please remain alert to all types of suspicious activity.

Ernest Brown

Chief of Police

Darien Police Department

2015 Vehicle Stickers Now Available

Vehicle stickers are not required in the City of Darien, but are available for your convenience. The donation is $3.00 per sticker, and this year all proceeds benefit the Darien Rotary Club. Stickers are currently available at City Hall, the Police Department and Indian Prairie Library. For more information please call 630-852-5000.

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, January 19

7:30 p.m.

Monday February 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

City of Darien Tweets!

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

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

Prevent Water Lines from Freezing

All residents should take precautions to keep water supply lines in your homes from freezing during extreme cold. You should let the water trickle in plumbing lines or fixtures that face north or west exterior walls. This helps to prevent water from freezing within the wall.

Additionally, the City would like to remind residents that if you are going to be leaving town for an extended amount of time during the winter season, that you should set the hot water tank to pilot and maintain the heating system at a 60 degree range. We also encourage shutting off your water at the meter and relieving the pressure from the pipes by turning on a couple of faucets at the lowest point.

A Warning on unsafe Ice

DuPage County Forest Preserve District is warning outdoor enthusiasts to be cautious about stepping out onto the ice. As ice melts and refreezes during late winter it may become porous, weak and unable to support activity regardless of its thickness. Look for cracks, ridges or faults in the ice; differently colored ice (especially dark gray or black); open water in the center of an otherwise frozen lake; ice that looks rotten or porous; and ice covered by water or slush for signs that the ice might be unsafe.

In any outdoor emergency, call 911 for help. To reach Forest Preserve District of DuPage County police, call (630) 933-7240.

OTHER GOVERNMENT NEWS AND EVENTS

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.

Residents Urged to Reduce Use of Road Salt this Winter

Wheaton, IL - DuPage County residents are encouraged to reduce the use of road salt this winter in an effort to decrease chloride concentrations in the County's waterways.

According to a 2012 report from the Illinois State Water Survey, chloride concentrations in Illinois waterways have been steadily increasing since the 1960s. Much of the increase can be attributed to road salts that are used in the winter to melt snow and ice from sidewalks, driveways and roads.

Road salts are carried into storm drains and streams via stormwater runoff. Once in waterways, chlorides never fully dissipate and can be harmful for aquatic life at high levels.

Residents can reduce the use of road salt by utilizing best management practices for snow and ice removal, including:

Removing snow prior to applying a deicer;
Applying just enough deicer to reduce hazard; and
Sweeping up and properly storing product after a storm for reuse.

For more information, visit here

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!

A Book Drive that Changes Lives

The Goddard School, located at 8350 Lemont Road, is collecting new and gently used children's books, in partnership with Bernie's Book Bank (http://www.berniesbookbank.org/) to significantly increase Book Ownership among at-risk infants, toddlers, and school age children. Books can be dropped off in person Monday to Friday, through January 16 between 6:30am and 6pm, or left in a collection box outside the school.

The culminating event of the book drive will be an Open House/Book Collection event at the school on January 17, from 10am-noon. Book Donations will be accepted at the event. There will be Story Telling, Face Painting, Games, snacks, and more.

Indian Prairie Library Events

Indian Prairie Public Library to host Local Authors Fair

The Indian Prairie Public Library will host a Local Authors Fair on Saturday, Jan. 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet more than 40 writers of children's, teen, and adult fiction and nonfiction literature as well as self-published writers including Joanne Zienty, the 2014 winner of the Soon to be Famous Illinois Author Project. Visit localauthorsfair.ippl.info to learn more.

Travel Program: Orlando, FL

The Indian Prairie Public Library will host an exploration of Orlando's major theme parks on Thursday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. Based on recent trips to Universal Orlando (including the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley) and Walt Disney World, you'll see photos and get advice on visiting these magical destinations. 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.

Businesses Wanted for Teen Summer Job Fair

The Indian Prairie Public Library, Darien Chamber of Commerce, and Willowbrook/Burr Ridge Chamber of Commerce and Industry plan to host a Teen Summer Job Fair this spring. The fair, for teens seeking summer employment, internships, and/or volunteer opportunities, will take place on Saturday, March 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the library. The library is seeking local employers that would be interested in participating in this event. If your business is interested, please fill out the online form at jobfair.ippl.info by Friday, Jan. 23. There is no fee to participate, but space is limited so tables will be first come, first served. For additional information, please contact IPPL Teen Librarian Tyler Works at (630) 887-8760 x261 or tylerw@ippl.info.

Darien Historical Society "Sunday Dinner"

Good tidings for a delightful afternoon in the new year: Darien Historical Society has tickets available for "The Sunday Dinner", Sunday, January 25 from 1-4pm, at Alpine Banquets. Enjoy "A Salute to World War I & World War II Music!" provided by the History Singers. $27.50 each - cash bar. No sales at the door. Contact 630-964-6792

Darien Woman's Club Creative Youth Art Fair

Darien Woman's Club presents the Creative Youth Art Fair Competition on February 22 at Cass Jr. High. Please submit paintings, drawings, photography, computer generated works & sculptures. Youth ages 4 through high school submit artwork to be independently judged for prizes.

Winning entries receive prizes and their artwork is displayed at the Indian Prairie Library. Registration Deadline is February 6th by mail or at the Indian Prairie Library. All entrants receive a ribbon!!

Entry forms are available at the Indian Prairie Library or DWC website. QUESTIONS? Call Marie at 630-985-2113

Hinsdale South Booster Club Casino Night Fundraiser

Casino Night will be held on Saturday, February 7 from 7pm to 11:30pm at Ashton Place in Willowbrook. Cost is $50.00 per person, and includes gambling, appetizers, beer, wine & soft drinks. There will be a silent auction & cash raffle. For more information visit the booster website. Proceeds benefit all students at Hinsdale South High School.

Darien Youth Club Candlelight Bowl Fundraiser

Please join us on Saturday, April 11 from 7pm-11pm at Brunswick Zone Woodridge to support Darien Youth Club. Raffles - Split the Pot - Bowling - Food - Fun! For more information or to register visit our registration page by clicking here.

DYC is a non-for-profit youth sport organization that has been around for over 50 years. Events like this help off-set registration costs when facility rental rates increase every year, help supply us with additional equipment updates and much more.

Interested in donating a raffle prize or would like your company to sponsor a lane - contact Amber Cortez for more details at dycmembership1@gmail.com

Darien Youth Club Baseball Registration Now Open

Spring Registration Now Open for T-ball, Baseball and Softball!

T-Ball:

Coed 5 & 6 year old

Baseball:

Pinto- 7 & 8 year old

Mustang- 9 & 10 year old

Bronco- 11 & 12 year old

Pony- 13 & 14 year old

Colt- 15 & 16 year old

Softball:

Minors 8U - 7 & 8 year old (No Arc)

Majors 10U - 9 & 10 year old (Fast Pitch)

Juniors 12U - 11 & 12 year old

Seniors 14U - 13 & 14 year old

All children are welcome and eligible to participate in DYC programs, regardless of residence. To register or for more information visit www.DarienYouthSports.com before the April 2nd registration close date

The DYC is currently seeking volunteers for the following positions

Directors of Soccer & Girls Softball - Duties include drafting/creation of all teams; working with Club Administrator to schedule games, assisting in all Coaches training efforts; monitoring field conditions to ensure quality play; keeping records on leagues' season records, communicating with parents and coach
Photography Manager -This person will ensure that photos are taken, organized, disseminated and archived each season. Reports to Publicity & Communications Direc
Membership/Fundraising Committee Members - Help drive membership and participation by assisting with special events. Assist with fundraising efforts by connecting with local businesses to secure sponsorships. Reports to Membership Director.

Interested or want to learn more? Contact Dave Leatherwood at dycpresident1@gmail.com, Nina Jordan Kuhlman at dycmarketing1@gmail.com or Amber Cortez at dycmembership1@gmail.com.

American Cancer Society Relay for Life Fundraisers

American Cancer Society Relay for Life Fundraiser:

Donate your fabric scraps for area high school students to make quilts from. Quilts will be sold and proceeds donated to help support cancer preventions programs, cancer research, and free services to cancer patients in the local are. drop off locations in Darien are: Chucks Southern Comforts Cafe, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church and Wild Orchid Salon at 75th & Lemont.

For more information call Donna at 630-368-6656

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 at noon on the second Tuesday of each month at the Darien Sportsplex, 451 Plainfield Road. For more information please call 630-852-6482