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
Happy Holidays from the City of Darien 
"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!" ~ Hamilton Wright Mabie
 
City of Darien Elected Officials & Staff wish everyone a Safe & Happy Holiday Season! 

 
City Offices Closed  
Darien City Hall & Municipal Services Department will be closed on Thursday & Friday, December 24 & 25, for the Christmas Holiday
 
For any Police response please dial 9-1-1
Refuse Delay 
Refuse and recycling pickup will be delayed by one day on December 25. Friday's pickup will be collected on Saturday, December 26.  Advanced Disposal may be contacted at 708-409-9700
Police Department Records Holiday Hours   
The Darien Police Records Department will be closed on the following days: 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 of the Police Department, near the doors.
Overnight Parking Ban Suspended for the Holidays 
The City of Darien will suspend the Overnight Parking Ban (2A-6A) for the upcoming holiday - from Wednesday, December 23 thru Monday, January 4. We will start enforcing the ban again on Tuesday, January 5.

*NOTE - THERE IS NO PARKING ON CITY STREETS DURING A WINTER WEATHER EVENT - WHERE SNOW OR ICE ARE IN EXCESS OF 1 INCH. 
Holiday Lights Contest Winners 
Congratulations to the 2015 Holiday Lights Contest Winners!
 
1st - 1118 79th Street (Also Honorary Lifetime Award) 
2nd - 1905 Center Circle 
3rd - 1921 McAdam Rd. 
4th  - 7718 Sawyer Rd. 
5th - 7209 Richmond Ave. 
 
Honorable Mention:
410 71st St.
701 70th St. 
 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, January 4
7:30 p.m.

Monday, January 18
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
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!  
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
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
DuPage County encourages residents to sign up for Smart911
As the new year draws near, DuPage County officials are asking residents to "resolve to be safe" and sign up for Smart911. Smart911 is a free, confidential service that allows users to create a profile that is activated in participating dispatch centers when a person dials 911. The electronic safety profile provides essential household information about family members, your home, pets and vehicles. This information will display automatically on the 911 call taker's screen when users make an emergency call. It's private and secure, and users control what information is in their profile.

DuPage County Emergency Telephone Service Board (ETSB) Chairman Gary Grasso said, "More than 70% of 911 calls come from mobile phones. That cell phone's exact location can't always be determined by GPS from a cell tower. Smart911's enhanced service displays the listed address of the mobile phone in the profile and can track the call via GPS, even if the call is disconnected. This is just one of many reasons it makes sense for consumers to take a moment this holiday season to set up a Smart 911 profile and ensure their family's safety."

Smart 911 is a valuable tool when searching for missing children, assisting unresponsive callers who are unable to speak due to a medical condition, or in a house fire when first responders need to locate and account for family members, pets and essential documents.

Learn more on the DuPage ETSB webpage at www.dupageco.org/smart911 and register at www.smart911.com.
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! 
Indian Prairie Library News & Events 
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.
Planes, Trains, & Automobiles Plastic Kit & Model Railroad Show  
Planes, Trains, & Automobiles Plastic Kit & Model Railroad Show and Swap Meet
 
Conveniently located approximately 6 blocks north of I-55 and the Cass Avenue exit, St. John Lutheran Church at 7214 South Cass Avenue in Darien will host an extensive show and swap meet on Saturday, January 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It will offer model enthusiasts exhibits and merchandise galore whatever mode of transportation they prefer.
 
This is not a plastic model contest. There will be at least two operating model railroad layouts and over 60 vendor tables selling plastic model kits and model railroad-related items on two levels of a building that is fully handicapped accessible with an elevator and is adjacent to a large parking lot. The family-friendly event will also offer food and raffle prizes.
 
Admission is $5.00 for adults (18 years and older) and $2.00 for youth (12 to 17 years old). Children under 12 and Scouts in uniform are FREE! Proceeds will help support the St. John Youth Group's trip to the LCMS National Youth Gathering in New Orleans in July 2016.
 
For more information, email events@sjlcdarien.org, call 630-969-7987, or visit www.sjlcdarien.org.
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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