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CITY NEWS
Happy Thanksgiving 
"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings."

City of Darien Elected Officials & Staff wish everyone a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
City Offices Closed 
Darien City Hall & Municipal Services Department will be closed Thursday, November 26 & Friday, November 27 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

For any Police response please dial 9-1-1
Refuse & Recycling Delay  
Refuse and recycling pickup will be delayed by one day on Thursday, November 26 & Friday, November 27 due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. Friday's pickup will be collected on Saturday, November 28. 

Advanced Disposal may be contacted at 708-409-9700
Free Fall Leaf Pickup ENDS THIS WEEK! 
The City of Darien last week for free fall leaf pick-up is next week, November 23-28.  Leaves will be picked up on your scheduled refuse collection day. (Due to the Holiday, Thursday & Friday collection will be delayed one day.)

Leaves should be placed in brown kraft yard waste bags or in plastic garbage cans. If garbage cans are used they must have a permanent "YARD WASTE ONLY" label attached to the front of the can so the driver can identify it as leaf pickup. These labels are available free of charge at city hall. Other yardwaste will still require a refuse sticker.

Residents are not permitted to rake leaves into the street. Raking leaves into the street can cause serious local flooding for you and your neighbors.

For more information please call 630-852-5000.
Holiday Lights Decorating Contest  
The City of Darien will again be sponsoring the Holiday Lights Decorating Contest. Each year, residents that put extra effort into decorating their homes for the season are nominated by their friends and neighbors for recognition and prizes. The first place home receives $200, second place $100, third place $50, and fourth and fifth place receive $25. To nominate your own home or another in your neighborhood, call Diane at (630) 353-8102 or email dnoverini@darienil.gov  
 
Nomination Deadline is Monday, December 12.

Winners will be announced at the December 21 City Council Meeting 
Holiday Lights Tour  
The popular Holiday Lights Tour will be on Tuesday, December 22 this year, with tours at 6:30 and 8:00 p.m. The tour will be on school buses, and will run through the City, passing by each of the holiday lights winners.

Residents will meet in the Police Department Lobby and pick up a goodie bag, and then board the bus.

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.
 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, December 7
7:30 p.m.

Monday, December 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

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

View Police Chief   

Monthly Police Report 

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
Holiday Light Recycling 
The City of Darien has again partnered with Elgin Recycling to offer our residents free recycling of holiday lights!  Last year Darien residents recycled 1922 pounds of Holiday Lights. Not only did this keep them from ending up in the landfill, the city made a profit of $153.76.
 
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 - no CFLs.  (We ask that only the lights go into the bin, please do not throw boxes and bags into the bin.)

Now through February 8 you may bring your lights to the Darien Police Department at 1710 Plainfield Road. The box is outside the lobby doors.

For more information please call 630-353-8115 or visit www.elginrecycling.com   
2015/2016 Tree Trimming Program  
This year's tree trimming program consists of trimming approximately 1,750 parkway trees, including Ash trees with dead limbs, approximately 68 tree removals and stump grinding. Below are the subdivisions to be trimmed beginning December 1:
  • Darien Club
  • Downers Fairview
  • Brookhaven Manor
  • Alison Court
This year's program also includes contract pricing for the Private Property Tree Trimming Program to all the residents.  The program would allow residents to have their private property trees trimmed or removed and stump grinding at the residents expense. The trimming will include removal of perished, diseased, interfering, and weak branches, as well as removal of under branches as requested. Private Property tree trimming is $70.00 per tree in the front yard and $135.00 per tree in the back yard. The contract also includes pricing for private property tree removal, and stump grinding.  Residents should contact Homer Tree Care directly at 815-838-0320  

For additional information regarding the Tree Trimming Program please call 630-353-8105.
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 2016 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 5th.
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 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.
 
COUNTY/STATE/FEDERAL NEWS
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  

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. 
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! 
The Darien Lions Club & The Darien Park District Food Basket Program
The Darien Lions Club and The Darien Park District are planning its annual Food Basket Program this Holiday season. Last year,with the support of several local businesses and residents, the Darien Lions Club was able to provide baskets to over 250 needy families.  Along with the baskets the Darien Park District provides gifts for these families with children.
 
Please consider participating by making a cash donation which will be used to purchase food supplies for this project. The cost to sponsor a family is $75.00 and checks can be made payable to the Darien Lions Foundation.  Our mailing address is 1702 Plainfield Road, Darien IL 60561.
 
For additional information contact food basket chairman Mike at scheckdawg@comcast.net
Darien Community Blood Drive Hosted by the Knights of Columbus
The Darien Community Blood Drive will take place on Tuesday, December 1st, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lace School (Gym) - 7414 Cass Avenue.  Walk-ins Welcome! Prepare for your donation: Eat Well - Stay Hydrated - Bring I.D. For more information please call 877-543-3768.
Darien Woman's Club New Meeting Location  
Darien Woman's Club is pleased to announce that it has a new home for the monthly meetings.

On the first Wednesday of each month, the DWC Club members and guest will gather at Carriage Greens Country Club located at 8700 Carriage Green Drive in Darien.   Mark your calendar for Wednesday, December 2.  Doors open at 7pm and the meeting begins at 7:30pm.  Come out and join this fabulous group of woman at the next meeting.
 
For more information and membership form, please visit: http://www.darienwomansclub.org
Eisenhower Junior High Craft & Vendor Fair 
Eisenhower Junior High Choir & Sports Boosters will hold a Craft & Vendor Fair will be held on Saturday, December 5, From 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Eisenhower Junior High, 1410 75th Street.

It's a Holiday Shopportunity!     There will be 55+ sellers, Your Favorite Crafts and Home Demonstrators, Concessions, Raffle Baskets, 50/50 and Much More!
St. John Lutheran Craft & Vendor Fair 
Everyone is invited to the St. John Lutheran Early Learning Center Christmas Craft & Vendor Fair on Saturday, December 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 7214 South Cass Avenue. Admission is free.
 
Each year this extensive showcase of handmade and retail items provides the perfect opportunity for patrons to find items on their holiday gift list in one convenient location. There will also be a bake sale and raffle.
 
A unique feature of our fair is Candy Cane Lane where children can enjoy our Comfort Dog Shami and supervised Christmas-themed games, crafts, music, and read alouds while their parents shop.      
 
If you are a crafter or vendor and would like to reserve a table, call 630-324-6582 or email elc@sjlcdarien.org. The event raises funds to help support the preschool. Whether you come to sell or to buy, we hope to see you there!
Historical Society Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony  
Come one and all to the  "Tree Lighting" sponsored by the Darien Historical Society on Sunday, December 6, at Old Lace Schoolhouse & Museum, 75th & Cass Avenue beginning at 4:00 p.m. Every age is welcome. Come to hear traditional Christmas Carols, enjoy Santa's visit, and sample indoor refreshments!
School District #61 Board Meeting 
Darien District #61 Board of Education Meeting will be on Tuesday, December 15, at Lace School.

Committee of the Whole Meeting (Assessments) will be at 6:00 pm
Regular Board of Education Meeting will be at 7:00 pm
Metra Safety Poster & Essay Contest   
Students in grades  K-12 can enter the 10th annual Metra Safety Poster and Essay Contest.  The theme this year is "Make Safety Your Focus"  The deadline for submitting posters and essays is January 29, 2016.  For more information on the contest and entry rules please visit www.metracontest.com

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