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CITY NEWS
We Remember on Memorial Day          
For love of country they accepted death ~ James A. Garfield
 
The City of Darien remembers and honors all who gave their lives for our country, not just on this Memorial Day, but every day. 
Memorial Day Ceremonies          

Friday, May 27:  at 6 PM, VFW members and Boy Scouts will place flags at the more than 1.400 veterans graves at the Clarendon Hills Cemetery. Flags will be retrieved on Memorial Day at 3 PM. Area families are invited to join in the placement and retrieval of the flags.

 

Monday, May 30:
At 9:00 a.m.Clarendon Hills Cemetery will honor the more than 1,400 veterans interred there.  Participation by VFW Posts and Boy Scout Troops from Downers Grove and Darien.
 
At 11:00 a.m. there will be a ceremony at Darien Community Park Veterans Memorial, with Mayor Weaver as guest speaker and participation by VFW, Boy Scouts and the Hinsdale South Band.   
 
Please join us in remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy. 
City Offices Closed         
Darien City Hall & Municipal Services Department will be closed on Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day 
 
For any Police response please dial 9-1-1
Refuse Delay          
Refuse, recycling and yardwaste pickup will be delayed by one day the week of May 30, due to the Memorial Day Holiday. Friday's pickup will be collected on Saturday, 6/4.   
 
Advanced Disposal may be contacted at 708-409-9700 
Solicitor License Required        
Please be aware that the City of Darien requires all business solicitors to become licensed with us. The City of Darien conducts a background check on all solicitors, which helps to keep our city safe.Our code states that the license or registration of any peddler or solicitor shall be displayed on the outer garment of the peddler or solicitor at all times while the person is engaged in soliciting or peddling within the city.  (See example below) The actual license will have the City of Darien seal embossed on it.

To keep solicitors from knocking at your door, place a No Soliciting sticker on your door.  These stickers are available free of charge at Darien City Hall.

If a solicitor comes to your door and does not have a license, please call 9-1-1 so an Officer can be dispatched and stop the unlicensed solicitation.

 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, June 6
7:30 p.m.

Monday, June 20
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
Public Hearing Notices         
For the property located at 7722 Warwick Avenue, Darien, Illinois 60561: Notice is hereby given that there will be a public hearing to be held before the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Darien, on June 15, 2016, commencing at 7:00 PM, in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1702 Plainfield Road, Darien, IL 60561.
 
The purpose of the public hearing will be to hear testimony requesting a variation from the Darien Zoning Ordinance to increase the permitted amount of rear yard coverage by accessory structures from 30% to 36% in order to construct an above-ground pool.

For the property located at 7417 Cass Avenue, Darien, Illinois 60561: Notice is hereby given that there will be a public hearing to be held before the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Darien, on June 15, 2016, commencing at 7:00 PM, in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1702 Plainfield Road, Darien, IL 60561.
 
The purpose of the public hearing will be to hear testimony requesting the following variations from standards in the B-2 Community Shopping Center Business District of the Darien Zoning Ordinance in conjunction with a plat of subdivision:
 

1.A reduction in the minimum required lot area from 2.00 acres to 1.157 acres, Section 5A-8-3-6;

2.A reduction in the minimum required northern interior side yard from 30 feet to 0 feet,       Section 5A-8-3-8(B)(1)(a);
3.A reduction in the minimum required rear yard from 30 feet to 0 feet, Section 5A-8-3-      8(B)(1)(a); and
4.An increase in the maximum permitted paved or impervious surface coverage from 75% to 83%, Section 5A-8-3-9 
Plainfield Road Construction       
Street construction on Plainfield Road between Manning and Cass Avenue has begun.   They are currently replacing underground utilities. Please expect delays.

This is a DuPage County project.  For question please call Dupage County at 630-407-6500. 
75th Street Construction       
Street construction on 75th Street between Plainfield Road and Route 83 will begin soon and is expected to be completed by the end of August.  There will be daily lane closures, and all access to abutting businesses will be maintained. Please expect delays.

This is a DuPage County project.  For question please call Dupage County at 630-407-6500. 
2016 Street Paving Schedule      
The City of Darien will soon begin 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 from June 6 thru June 17.   For more information please call Municipal Services at 630-353-8105
   
Adams St. Plainfield to 75th
Chapman Ct.Bailey to Limit
Chapman Dr.Bailey to Limit
Danbury Dr.Hamilton to Green Valley
Evergreen Ln.N. Frontage to Bailey
Hamilton Ln.Danbury to Carlton
Kearney Rd.S. Frontage to Limit
Lake Ridge Dr.Kimberly to Oldfield
Lyman Ave.Marlborough to Green Valley
Pine Tree Ln.Sawyer to Limit
Sawyer Rd.Chippewa to Honey
Sequoia Ln.Adams to Williams
Urban Dr.Bailey to Limit
Von Drash Dr.Bailey to Limit
Wilmette Ave.Hinsbrook to 67th
2016 Concrete Replacement Program
In conjunction with the street replacement program, the City of Darien will again offer unit pricing to residents interested in replacing their sidewalks, driveways and aprons.  Mondi Construction Inc was awarded the bid for 2016. Pricing for driveways and sealers has increased significantly compared to prior years. The prices are as follows:
 
Driveways                    $10.00 per square foot
Sidewalks                     $4.15 per square foot
Apron w/fiber mesh       $4.50 per square foot
Curb & gutter                $14.65 per lineal foot
Sealer                          $3.50 per square foot
(Please note reduced price on sealer)
 
Resident wishing to replace their driveways should call Mondi Concrete directly at (630) 562-2245, or via e-mail at  mondiconst@gmail.com and inform them you are a Darien resident.  Mondi Construction will invoice you for the work.
 
Residents wishing to replace the sidewalk, apron or depress their driveway curb should call City Hall at 630-353-8102.  The City will invoice you for this work.
 
The deadline to participate in this year's program is July 1.
Pamphlets Available at City Hall 
Did you know that many informational pamphlets are available at Darien City Hall?  We have bus schedules, Darien street maps, ComEd info, Nicor info, Township brochures, Park District catalogs, etc..  Please come and browse the selection.  If there is anything you don't see please ask at our front desk. 
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 2500 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!  
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 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
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.  There is also a direct link on this app to Commonwealth Edison website, which is a great source of information during power outages.

This FREE app is called Darien Connect, and is available in the Apple Store and the Google Play Store.
 
COUNTY/STATE/FEDERAL NEWS
I-55 Expansion "Managed Lane" Project   
The "Managed Lane" project would cover the Stevenson between the Veterans Tollway (I-355) and the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94), a 25-mile stretch that handles 170,000 vehicles daily and is prone to long delays, especially during peak travel times. Under a 2011 state law, IDOT can pursue projects using public-private partnerships, as long as the General Assembly approves a resolution supporting the project.

The Illinois Tollway Authority manages a vast network of toll roads in greater Chicago, but the concept of "managed lanes" -- in which motorists have a choice of free or paid lanes -- is new to Illinois. Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn described it as "an expressway within an expressway."

For more information please visit the IDOT Managed Lane Website.
DuPage County Housing Authority Opening of HCV Waitlist 
DuPage Housing Authority announces the opening of the General Wait List for acceptance of pre-applications for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program.

The Wait List will open at 8:30 a.m. on Monday June 20, 2016.  PLEASE NOTE - YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SIGN UP ON THE WAIT LIST BEFORE THIS DATE. The Wait List will close after 1,500 pre-applications are receive.

The HCV Program provides housing assistance (in the form of a subsidy payment), on the behalf of low-income individuals, families, seniors and persons with disabilities, for housing units they have chosen in the private rental market. Program eligibility is based on household size and income.

Due to limited funding availability, completed pre-applications will be selected based on time & date of the pre-application. Pre-applications can only be completed online at www.dupagehousing.org

Once on the website, click on the 2016 Wait List Pre-Application link under Announcements near the top of the page on the right. IMPORTANT: COMPLETE ONLY ONE (1) PRE-APPLICATION PER PERSON

If you still have questions about the wait list process you can log onto our website at: www.dupagehousing.org, under the 2016 Wait List tab, or you can listen to a recorded message by calling the Wait List Info Line at (630) 690-3555 and choose Option 4.

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.
 
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 and more information.  There is a small  convenience fee for this service.

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! 
Wanted - July 4th Parade Participants     
The Darien Lions Club is seeking organiazations and groups to participate in the 45th annual Independence Day Parade. Either by float or marching, come out and celebrate our freedom and country. Go to www.darienlions.org for complete information and parade applications.
Christ the Servant Recycling Event  
An Electronic Recycling Event and Book Collection will be held on Saturday, May 28 From 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. a t Christ the Servant Parking Lot 8700 Havens Drive in Woodridge.

Bring all old electronics:
Computers, printers , fax machines, rechargeable batteries, televisions, copy machines, hard drives, extension cords, almost anything with a cord. Televisions are costly to recycle. There will be a charge of  20 cents a pound for televisions, with a limit of one television per car. Donations to support the Green Team service projects will be greatly appreciated.

Not acceptable:
White Goods, air conditioners, hazardous waste, radioactive waste, batteries, bio-hazardous waste or mercury containing devices like light bulbs or thermostats.

Book Collection:
All types of paper backs and hard covered books will be collected: fiction, non-fiction, reference, school books. Limit of 2 boxes of books per car.
Darien Lions Club Big Raffle 
The Darien Lions Club is holding their Big Raffle on June 2. Only 400 hundred tickets being sold
 
First Prize............$10,000
Second Prize.......$5,000
Third prize............$2,000
10 prizes of $200 each
 
Ticket price $100 each, Winners need not be present to win. Winners is responsible for any applicable taxes. Tickets can be purchased through Lion John at johnpearsonii@gmail.com.  For more information please call Steve at 708-287-7333

Your Donation makes all we do possible. 
Children's Safety Expo  
A children's safety expo will be held on Saturday, June 4 from 9am to noon at Lakeview Jr. High School, 701 Plainfield Rd. in Downers grove.  Admission is free, and there will be many displays.  For more information please visit here.
Darien Park District Flea Market   
Darien Park District Flea Market will be held on Saturday, June 4 from 9:00-1:00pm at the Darien Sportsplex north parking lot, 451 Plainfield Rd.

There will be over 50 sellers and many hidden treasures! For more information please call  630.968.6400
Darien Historical Society Ice Cream Social   
"In the Good Old Summertime" may not be atop the music charts anymore but the spirit of outdoor seasonal fun remains a strong mid-western strain. Join the Darien Historical Society at Old Lace Schoolhouse & Museum, corner of 75th and Cass, on Wednesday, June 15.

Storytelling, courtesy of the Indian Prairie Library, starts at 5:30 p.m. Tasty Culver Ice Cream will satisfy your sweet tooth along with lemonade and cookies. Profits will flow to support the museum's needs and activities. Entertainment will be live with Agne's enchanting melodies of familiar songs ranging from Disney to romantic favorites. This is special; mark the date!

Questions? Contact Debbie at 630-325-5326
Indian Prairie Library Events  
The Sound Teen Battle of the Bands
The Indian Prairie Public Library will host its fourth annual teen music competition on Saturday, June 25, at 6:30 p.m. Performers of any style of music ages 12-18 should apply by Saturday, June 18 at thesound.ippl.info. Do you have The Sound?
 
Better Together Summer Reading Challenge for Kids & Teens
Join the Indian Prairie Public Library for special storytimes, fun programs, family events, community projects, and more during their Better Together Summer Reading Challenge for kids and teens June 4 through Aug. 6. Kick off summer at the Building Community Event on Saturday, June 4, 1-3 p.m. Participants will be able to build extravagant structures using KEVA planks, LEGOs, Toobalinks, and Strawbees, plus pick up their summer reading logs, get an "A Read Lives Here" yard sign to display at home, enjoy sweet treats, and have loads of fun! Get details at www.ippl.info.
Relay for Life 2016  
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life Southeast DuPage will be held on Friday, June 24 from 6pm to midnight, at McCollum Park, 6801 Main Street in Downers Grove.

Relay For Life brings communities together, embracing their collective power to free the world from the pain and suffering of cancer. With every passionate step, Relayers demonstrate courage and strength. They prove that, together, we are bigger than cancer. And together, we can raise the money needed to help the American Cancer Society bring cancer to its knees.

For more information lease visit the Relay for Life website.
Junk in the Trunk Garage Sale  
A Junk in the Trunk Garage sale (without the garage and out of the trunks of cars) will be held on Saturday, June 25, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Eisenhower Jr. High Parking Lot - 1410 75th Street Rain Date is Saturday, July 18, 2015  
 
Space fees and concessions benefit Eisenhower Jr. High Choirs.   
 
For more information for Sellers or Shoppers, please email choirboosters61@gmail.com
Junior Hornet Summer Dance Camp   
Campers will be instructed by members of the 2016-2017 Hinsdale South Danceline.  Camp runs from July 19 through 21 from 9:00 am - 11:30 am.

Girls will be taught fundamental kicks, turns, leaps and two dance routines.  They will engage in exciting group activities to enhance respect and sportsmanship critical for members of a Spirit Squad.  Ages Pre-K thru incoming 8th grade. Fee is $85.00.

For more information email cgillett@hinsdale86.org or to register please visit here.
Got Seeds?    
Sunny Patch Project, Darien's first community container garden has seeds they'd like to share. From herbs to heirloom tomatoes and peppers we have something unique to add to your garden patch this season.

If you care to get involved, please contact us 630-272-0915. To learn more about our Sunny Patch Project, visit: www.sunnypatchproject.org   
Join the Darien Swim & Recreation Club  
Make every day this summer a pool party! Join the Darien Swim & Recreation Club- Memberships now available to all area residents.
 
Get to know your neighbors as you swim, sun on the deck or relax with a cold one on the patio.  Bring your own food and drinks-there are gas grills and plenty of seating. Or grab a bite from the snack bar. There's free wi-fi, too.There are three pools: baby pool with fountain, children's pool, and full-size pool with lap lane, water volleyball net and diving boards.
 
DSRC is a private, non-profit club located near 71st & Cass in Darien. They also offer swim lessons, and host a number of special events throughout the year for members and guests.
 
For more information, visit www.darienswim.com

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