Thank You for signing up to receive the Darien Direct Connect.  You are receiving valuable and timely city news and events.  If you know of anyone who would benefit from receiving this email as well, please have them sign up at darien.il.us, or call Mary at city hall (630-353-8115) to have their email address added to our list.
  
CITY NEWS
City Meeting Info / Minutes on Website 
As a reminder to residents, the City's website includes City Council, and various other city committee, meeting agendas, background materials, staff memos/reports, city expenses, monthly financial and meeting minutes. This allows residents to closely follow all of the business conducted by the City.

If you wish to review the Council and committee meeting information simply use the following link: http://www.darien.il.us/Reference-Desk/Agendas-Minutes.aspx
Spread the Word About Direct Connect! 
Providing important city information to Darien residents has been a priority of the Elected Officials and city staff for many years. Our most important resource to distribute information is Darien's weekly E-newsletter, Direct Connect. This provides residents with important community information that is emailed on Fridays. Direct Connect is also sent out periodically when there is important information to provide to residents.

There are approximately 2400 subscribers to Direct Connect. The City's goal is to have 5000 subscribers by the end of 2016. We ask that you please spread the word about Direct Connect and encourage your friends, neighbors, and local groups to sign up. Signing up is simple, just provide any Elected Official or staff member with your email address and we will have you registered. If you prefer to register yourself, you may use the following link: http://www.darien.il.us/Reference-Desk/DirectConnect.aspx.

Please help the City reach our goal!  
Police Department Records Holiday Hours   
The Darien Police Records Department will be closed on the following days: Saturday and Sunday, December 19 & 20, Thursday December 24 thru Sunday, December 27, Friday, January 1 thru Sunday, January 3.

For service please pick up the white phone on the outside wall, near the doors.
IRS Telephone Scam 
This week, a resident notified the Village of Woodridge of a telephone scam where the caller impersonates the Internal Revenue Service. When the resident picked up, there was a recording that stated that the homeowner was under investigation by the IRS for tax evasion.

The Darien Police Department would like to remind residents that government agencies do not initiate contact via telephone calls or emails to request personal or financial information. We encourage residents to be vigilant and report suspicious telephone scams to the police.
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 21
7:30 p.m.

Monday, January 4
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
Cancer Smashers Friendly Competition   
Cancer Smashers is holding a friendly competition fundraiser between Hinsdale South Hornets and Downers Grove South Mustangs from December 7 thru 13.  Honor a loved one by donating $1.00 for each Cancer Smasher fist to be displayed at the High School of choice.  All money will fund the Cancer Smasher Fellowship Award.  To donate e visit www.cancersmashers.org.
Indian Prairie Library News & Events 
GIVING TREE
The Indian Prairie Public Library's Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is collecting donations of new winter hats, gloves, and scarves for local organizations. Donations can be for any age. Anyone who makes a donation through Saturday, Dec. 19 will be given an ornament to sign and place on the Giving Tree in the library's lobby.
 
FOOD FOR FINES
Help the community this holiday season by donating nonperishable food and personal care items to the Indian Prairie Public Library's Food for Fines program Saturday, Dec. 5 through Sunday, Dec. 13. All items collected will be distributed to the food pantries at Our Lady of Peace and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Darien. During the Food for Fines program, if those making donations have fines due, the library will waive one dollar of fines owed for each item donated. However, community members don't need to have fines due, or even have a library card, to contribute to the drive.
 
SOON TO BE FAMOUS ILLINOIS AUTHOR PROJECT
The third annual Soon to be Famous Illinois Author Project is seeking an Illinois author with a self-published adult fiction book that libraries can help to make "famous." Previous winners have spoken at dozens of Illinois libraries as well as given several interviews to major newspapers, local radio stations, magazines, and more. Are you the next "Soon to be Famous" author? Submit your entry via the Indian Prairie Public Library through Jan. 4. Visit www.soontobefamous.info for details.
Santa Visits Our Lady of Peace School 
Santa Claus will be visiting Our Lady of Peace School, 709 Plainfield Rd., on Saturday, December 12 from 1:00 PM to 4:00PM. Visit Santa in our preschool and receive a FREE photo! Wander through our Christmas tree forest while enjoying a steaming cup of hot chocolate and listen to our talented band and choir students as they perform holiday favorites.
School District #61 Meetings
Committee of the Whole Meeting (Roundtable on Data) - Tuesday, December 15 at 6:00 pm      
 
Regular Board of Education Meeting - Tuesday, December 15, at 7:00 p.m.

All meetings are at Lace School
Darien Rotary Club Open House 
The Darien Rotary Club will be holding an open house between 6 and 8 PM on Wednesday, January 20 at the Q-Bar & Grill, 8109 S. Cass Ave.
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
New Kiwanis Club of Darien  
Kiwanis is a worldwide service organization of men and women who share the challenge of community and world improvement. Today, Kiwanis has adopted a new slogan: "Serving the Children of the World, One Child and One Community at a time."

Being a Kiwanis member can be rewarding in many ways. The greatest gift you could ever give yourself as a person is the gratification in knowing you are contributing your help, time, and efforts to people in and out of your community who are in need.

Ready to help children and families in the Darien Community! Ready to change the world? Kiwanis is ready for you!   Join us - and become a part of changing children's lives!
Contact Clare Bongiovanni at 630-968-0004 and/or Mary Carlson at randmcarlson@comcast.net or 630-308-0805 for more information.

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