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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.
City Council Meeting Cancelled 
The Darien City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, July 20, has been cancelled.  Mayor Weaver's Meet & Greet is also cancelled.

The next City Council meeting will be held on Monday, August 3, at 7:30 p.m.
Part Time Community Service Officer Position 

The City of Darien Police Department is accepting applications for a Part-time Community Service Officer (CSO).  For details please visit our website

Darien Police Dept. - Vacation House Watch 

The Darien Police can be notified in advance when residents will be on vacation so assistance can be given in keeping an eye on their home on a Police time-available basis. A house watch card must be completed and the Police will also give helpful tips on how to protect your home.  You can find this form on our website.

Operation "Lock it or Lose it"   

On Thursday, June 11, 2015 the Darien Police Department implemented operation "Lock It or Lose It".  

 

This crime prevention/reduction campaign is part of an on going strategy to reduce the number of incidents of burglary to motor vehicles. It is also directly linked to a recent rash of car burglaries along the north/east part of our city where all but one of the vehicles were left unlocked. In many cases there was nothing taken, but in some instances valuables were stolen.  

 

The campaign involves the Darien Police Department handing out window posters to local businesses in Darien to remind their customers to lock their car doors and hide their valuables, and a  second wave of smaller flyers distributed to remind motorists to lock their cars and hide their valuables.

Mosquito Alert 

The City of Darien has a comprehensive mosquito abatement program run through Clarke Mosquito Control, which includes the use of larvicide.  However, as temperatures rise and with heavy rainfall, you may see an increase in the mosquito population.  We ask that you assist the City of Darien and your neighbors help reduce the mosquito population by:

  • 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.

Running a fan in your outdoor area is also know to help, as mosquitoes cannot fly in strong wind.  
 City Administrator
(630) 353-8114
(630) 852-5000
(630) 971-3999
(630) 852-5000
Mayor
City Clerk
Treasurer
Ward 1
Ward 2
Ward 3
Ward 4
Thomas Chlystek
Ward 5
Joseph Marchese
Ward 6
Ward 7
City Council Meetings

Monday, July 20
7:30 p.m.
CANCELLED
 
Monday , August 3
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

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!

   

CANCELLED FOR JULY 20 

View Darien Police Department Weekly Incident Report
You may view the Darien Police Department weekly incident report by
 clicking here

View Chief Brown's Monthly Press Release

You may view the Police Chief's monthly press release by  
 clicking here

Submit an article for Direct Connect 

You may submit an article for Direct Connect by emailing  mwintermute@darienil.gov
Tornado Siren Information 
The City of Darien tornado sirens are sounded for testing the first Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. for one minute.  If there is severe weather in the area, the test is cancelled to avoid the siren being mistaken for actual activation. 


In the event of a severe weather emergency, the sirens will sound for 3 to 5 minutes, which indicates:

  • A confirmed sighting of a tornado, tracking towards the community, has been reported by a trained weather spotter within Darien or the surrounding communities, or
  • The National Weather Service has issued a warning for the Community indicating that it is the path of an oncoming tornado, or
  • A confirmed sighting by a trained weather spotter of severe winds causing structural damage within the city or surrounding communities.

There will not be an all clear sounded.  If you hear a subsequent siren, that means that more severe weather has been spotted in the area.   

 

Residents should understand that outdoor warning sirens are not designed to provide effective warning inside homes or buildings. It is recommended that each residence have a N.O.A.A. weather radio to monitor severe weather conditions, and that all family members are informed of what to do in a severe weather emergency.  For users of smart phones, there are many free apps that will issue severe weather alerts. 

 

The difference between a tornado watch, and a tornado warning:   

  • A tornado watch means that hazardous weather is possible in the area
  • A tornado warning is issued when hazardous weather is occurring, imminent, or likely.  A warning means weather poses a threat to life or property.  People in the path of the storm need to take protective action.
For more information on tornadoes and emergency weather safety procedures visit  http://dupageco.org/protectdupage/
Fire Pit Regulations 
The City of Darien regulates the use of fire pits to the hours of 8:00 am to Midnight, Monday thru Friday and 8:00 am to 1:00am on Friday and Saturday. The city allows the burning of logs, non-treated wood or wood products. Yardwaste and treated wood may not be burned. Treated wood releases harmful chemicals into the air. Please practice fire safety and keep all fires at a safe distance from trees and all structures, including decks and fences. It is also a good idea to refrain from having fires on high ozone days. 
Sunny Patch Project - Container Garden at City Hall   

We're growing solutions to hunger here this summer!  We've partnered with Good Worx Inc., a local nonprofit, to help raise awareness about food gaps facing many in our community.  They've started a small community container garden they're calling Sunny Patch Project.  

 

All garden yields grown at the new community garden and in these pop-up Patches around Darien, will go to families struggling to access healthy garden fresh foods later in the growing season.  To learn how you can get involved in this exciting project, visit the website or contact 630-272-0915.

City of Darien FREE Smart Phone App Now Available!  
The City of Darien smart phone app is now available!  The app will allow easy, mobile access to city information, services and request.  This FREE app is called Darien Connect, and is available in the Apple Store and the Google Play Store.
 
2015 Street Paving Schedule 

The City of Darien is completing 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 July 14 thru July 17.   For more information call

Municipal Services at 630-353-8105

 

Cameron CtWhitlock-limit
Curran CtWoodmere Dr-limit
Hedgewood DrWoodmere-Whitlock
Morgan CtWindsor-limit
Oxford CtOxford Dr-limit
Oxford DrWindsor-Oxford Ct
Whitlock DrHedgewood-Windsor
Windsor CtWindsor-limit
Windsor DrWhitlock-Woodmere
Woodmere DrLemont Rd -Windsor Dr

COUNTY/STATE/FEDERAL NEWS
New - Pay Your Water Bill by Phone or Online! 
 You can now pay your DuPage County water bill online!  Visit DuPage Public Works website at  https://www.dupageco.org/publicworks/ for the link.

You can also check your balance and make a phone payment at 855-748-8523. 

New Flood Insurance Rate Map 

FEMA has presented the City of Darien with a new preliminary flood insurance rate map.  You can view these maps at www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata   

 

There will be an open house meeting to discuss the new maps on Wednesday, July 29 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the DuPage County Government Center, Jack T. Knuepfer Building Auditorium, 421 County Farm Rd., in Wheaton. 

DuPage County Health Department West Nile Virus Index

To help DuPage County residents protect themselves against West Nile virus (WNV), the DuPage County Health Department has created a Personal Protection Index (PPI) that will inform residents of the amount of WNV activity in the county, as well as prevention steps that are recommended.  

 

The PPI provides residents with a current snapshot of WNV activity, ranging from zero to four, with zero being no activity and four announcing multiple human cases of WNV in DuPage County. The PPI will be updated every Wednesday at 3pm, by Health Department staff, during the surveillance season. The PPI will change to match the risk level determined for that period. The index can be found here.  When activated, residents should follow the 4 D's of prevention that coincide with the PPI risk level.

 

Drain: Drain those items that collect standing water around your home, yard or business. Scrub and refill pet water dishes and bird baths regularly.  

 

Defend: Use an insect repellent containing DEET when outdoors and reapply according to directions.

 

Dress: Wear long pants, long sleeves and closed toe shoes when outside to cover the skin.

 

Dusk & Dawn: Wear repellent outdoors during these prime times for mosquito activity.

DuPage County Latex Paint Recycling ends July 15.

DuPage County will host a latex paint recycling program from June 15 to July 15 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 22) 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, July 11, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

 

For more information, contact DuPage County Public Works Dept. at (630) 985-7400 or the Dept. of Economic Development & Planning at (630) 407-6700.

 

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 & EVENTS
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! 
DarienFest "Darien's Got Talent" Registration
Attention dancers, musicians, and other acts of talent.  Darien Chamber of Commerce invites you to  "DARIEN'S GOT TALENT"  on the main stage at DarienFest, Sunday September 13, from 1pm to 2pm.  Age group is 10-18, and the registration fee is $20.00.  Entry description should include your bio, photo, email, phone number and a 30 second audition video.  Register online at www.darienchamber.comDeadline is July 15.
Darien Swarm Football Camp

Darien Swarm Football & Cheer invites children ages 4-14 for their July non-contact football camp. Learn from Darien Swarm & Hinsdale South coaches the basics of football, meet new friends, and just have fun! Grab a few friends and join us from July 13-16 from 6-8pm at the Hinsdale South Practice Field. Camp is only $25 and includes a camper t-shirt.

 

To register for camp, go to: http://www.mkt.com/swarmstore. To register for the regular 2015 season or learn more about Darien Swarm Football & Cheer, visit us at  http://www.darienswarmfootball.com  Questions?  Please contact Cathy at  cathy.white@darienswarmfootball.com
EJH Junk in the Trunk Garage Sale

Sell your Junk out of your Trunk and help support the EJH Choirs Campaign for Updated Audio Equipment!  Join us Saturday, July 18 from 8am - 1pm in the Eisenhower Junior High parking lot.  Each selling space costs $15.  You keep ALL of your proceeds from your sale!

 

How it works: Pay $15 for your space (checks payable to EJH Choir Boosters). Two payment options include: Mail a check to EJH Choir Boosters, ATTN: Jenn Sparano, 1618 71st Street, Darien,

IL 60561  Must be received by July 16 to hold space.  You may pay the day of in either check or cash, but this option does not guarantee you a reserved space, and you may be turned away at the check in, if spaces have all been sold.  

 

Spaces are reserved by paying ahead, then by arrival time. All sellers must be in lot by 7:40. After 7:40 parking will be closed off to sellers. Open your trunk and arrange your treasures, bring a table or two, tarps, bins, etc. Minimum space is 10ft wide by 20ft long. For more space, you may purchase an additional space. You keep whatever money you make.

 

Any questions email choirboosters61@gmail.com

Community Garden Sunny Patch Project

Good Worx, Inc. is looking for a few average gardeners, no experience needed, for their "Sunny Patch Project"   This summer they plan to tackle hunger in the community, from the ground up, through the establishment of a first ever community container garden.   

 

The Sunny Patch garden will be at Safety Village, located at Cass & 75th Streets.  To learn how you can grow solutions to hunger here this summer, visit their website or call 630-272-0915.  

Darien Park District Farmers Market

The Darien Park District is hosting a Farmers Market every Wednesday thru September 9.  The Market runs from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m at the Westwood Park - 75th Street and Fairview Ave.

 

The Farmers Market features a wide variety of seasonally fresh vegetables and fruits, and other fine offerings from local vendors.  
Indian Prairie Library News & Events

Learn Something New with Lynda.com

Indian Prairie Public Library cardholders can now learn software, creative, and business skills with Lynda.com! Lynda.com has thousands of online tutorials taught by industry experts, and features courses for all skill levels. IPPL cardholders now have FREE, unlimited access - including desktop, mobile, and tablet access - allowing them to view as many videos as they want on different devices without losing their place.

 

Jobs Fair

Sen. Christine Radogno, Rep. Jim Durkin, Rep. Ron Sandack, and the Indian Prairie Public Library will host their 2nd annual jobs fair featuring companies from all over the area. The event will take place on Wednesday, July 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Ashton Place, 341 75th St. in Willowbrook. It will include breakout sessions on Stand-Out Resumes, Successful Interviewing, and Networking Your Way to a New Job. View the flyer, which includes a list of participating employers, here

 

IPPL StoryShare

Have you shared your family's story with the Indian Prairie Public Library yet? StoryShare is an oral history project in which community members are invited to interview family members while a trained IPPL volunteer operates the recording equipment. The interview theme is "family," and sample questions can be provided. Participants will receive a CD of the interview while the library keeps a copy to preserve for future generations. To make an interview appointment, call Librarian Joe Popowitch at 630/887-8760 ext. 240 or email joep@ippl.info.

Join the Darien Senior 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