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CITY NEWS
Happy Independence Day!
Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.
~Abraham Lincoln
 
The City of Darien wishes you a happy Fourth of July. Please celebrate safely!
City Offices Closed    
Darien City Hall & Municipal Services Department will be closed on Monday, July 4 for Independence Day. 
 
For any Police response please dial 9-1-1
Refuse Delay   
Refuse and recycling pickup will be delayed by one day the week of July 4. Friday's pickup will be collected on Saturday, July 9. 

Advanced Disposal may be contacted at 708-409-9700
City Council Meeting Cancelled    
The City Council Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 5 has been cancelled.  The next City Council Meeting will be on Monday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m.
July 4th Parade Information       
The parade begins at 9:30am on July 4. The parade will begin at the Jewel parking lot and proceed north on Cass Avenue to 71st Street.  At 71st Street the parade will head east until Clarendon Hills Road. At Clarendon Hills Road the parade will go south toward the end point at Hinsdale South High School.  (Please see parade route below.)

The Darien Lions Club is sponsoring a best decorated bike contest before the 4th of July Parade in the Jewel Parking lot at 8:30 AM.

Come out with your decorated bike to walk ride in the 4th of July Parade Monday July 4. Top Boy and Girl winners will be awarded Trophies and Cash Prizes.
 
 
Fireworks Show July 4  
The Fourth of July firework show will take place at approximately 9:30 p.m. on July 4, at the Zigfield Troy golf course (1535 75th Street).  The best views of the fireworks will be from the parking lots along 75th Street & Lemont Road. 

This year's show is co-sponsored by the City of Darien, Village of Downers Grove, and the Village of Woodridge.
Fireworks Safety  
Every year in the United States, we celebrate the Fourth of July with community parades, picnics, barbecues, and fireworks - the things of which happy memories are made. But sadly, Independence Day also includes tragic events resulting from fireworks use.  In 2010, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 8,600 people for fireworks-related injuries; 55% were to extremities, 31% to the head.  The risk of fireworks injury was highest for young people aged 15 to 24, followed by children under 10.   
 
On July 4th in a typical year, far more fires are reported than any other day, and fireworks account for 2 out of 5 of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.
 
In order to assure that our community is safe during the holiday, we are reminding you that fireworks are illegal and local ordinances prohibiting fireworks will be strictly enforced.
 
Please help the Darien Police Department and the Community by making this the safest Fourth of July possible.   
Starbucks Coming Soon to Darien Pointe   
The Darien Pointe Development at Cass & Plainfield is proud to announce that they have secured a major anchor tenant, Starbucks, which is hoping to open in late September. Starbucks will join Pro-Nails and Lady Janes Haircuts, both planning to open in July.
Television Recycling thru Advanced Disposal  
With free electronic recycling becoming harder to find, the City of Darien refuse hauler, Advanced Disposal, will be accepting televisions for recycling.  You must place 5 refuse stickers on each, and place the TV at the curb on your normal refuse collection day.  If you would like the TV collected outside of your normal refuse day, you can schedule a special pickup for an additional $25.00 trip charge. All televisions will be properly disposed of by Advanced Disposal
Mosquito abatement  
The City of Darien has a comprehensive mosquito abatement program run through Clarke Mosquito Control that includes ongoing monitoring of standing bodies of water and catch basin treatments. The program focus is on larviciding activities to kill larvae before they become adults, including applications in standing bodies of water and stocking retention ponds with mosquito eating fish. 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 to 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.

For a full monthy report for the City of Darien visit here.

Visit the County's website at http://www.dupagehealth.org/EnvironmentalHealth/news/WNVjune2016 
 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 

Tuesday, July 5
 CANCELLED

Monday, July 18
7:30 p.m.

Official Social Media Links

FACEBOOK: 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

TWITTER: The City of Darien Now "Tweets"!  Please follow us on twitter  at  Cityofdarien. 
 
NIXLE: 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.

SMART PHONE APP: 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.

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

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:

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
Garage Sale Permits Required  
The City of Darien requires residents having garage sales to obtain a permit.  The permits are free of charge, and available at city hall, 1702 Plainfield Rd., or via email at dhathaway@darienil.gov.  Please include your name, address, phone number and dates of sale. 

Residents are allowed to have three garage sales per calendar year, and may have them Thursday thru Sunday between the hours of 8:00am - 6:00pm.  For more information please call 630-852-5000.  
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!  
COUNTY/STATE/FEDERAL NEWS
DuPage County Stormwater Management - Residential Flood-Proofing Guidebook    
DuPage County Stormwater Management recently released a Flood-Proofing Guidebook intended to help homeowners resolve common localized flooding issues from both underground and overland sources. Developed in partnership with Bluestem Communications, the guidebook helps homeowners identify the source of their flooding, as well as various ways to combat this flooding.

Depending on the type of flooding incurred, solutions range from installing overhead sewer systems to nature-based solutions. The guidebook also includes resources for during and after a flood. Please visit here for a copy of the guidebook.
Latex Paint Recycling   
DuPage County Public Works is offering a latex paint recycling program this summer. This program will allow for residents to drop off their usable, unwanted latex paint, free of charge.

The hours of this program are from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, thru July 29 and specific Saturdays: June 18th and 25th, and July 9th, 16th, and 23rd. If you're interested in receiving free paint, the Public Works Department is offering free paint in 5-gallon containers during the above dates and times. The drop-off / pick-up location is 7900 S. Route 53 in Woodridge.

Additional information can be found here
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 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.
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS
DYC Soccer  
Instructional Soccer - Grades K-2  8 games and practices 
The season begins late August and will run through late October. The season consists of 8 games plus practices.  All games will take place on Saturday mornings at Mark DeLay school. Coaches will schedule one weekday practice each week of the season. Kindergarten/1st graders play 3x3 allowing for more contact with the ball! 2nd graders play 4x4 plus goalie.

Divisional Soccer- Grades 3-8  13 Games + Practice
The season begins late August and will run through late October. The season consists of ten games plus three playoff games.

Games take place on one weekday and one Saturday per week. All playoff games with be held on Saturdays. Two practices will be held before the season starts. Coaches may schedule additional practices during the season. Coaches will notify their teams in mid-August.
Visit our website: www.darienyouthclub.org 

DYC is a not for profit community organization that is run by parent volunteers, and has been serving the community since 1960.
Football Camp
Darien Swarm Football and Hinsdale South Football is hosting a non-contact football camp for the ages of 5-14
July 11 -14  from 6-8pm. Register at http://www.mkt.com/swarmstore. You can also walk up the day of camp and register but t-shirt size may not be guaranteed!  The cost is $30 per camper.  You will learn basic football fundamentals, drills and play mini-games.

Visit http://www.darienswarmfootball.com or our Facebook page for more information!
Darien Rotary Club Open House
Darien Rotary Club will be having an open house on Tuesday July 12, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Miskatonic Brewing Company, 1000 N. Frontage Road Anybody interested in learning more about Rotary and what we do in the community is welcome to attend. There will be Beer tasting, food and friendship and a cash bar

20% of the proceeds from the bar go to the charitable endeavors of the Darien Rotary Club. To learn about the club, visit our website at www.darienrotaryclub.org or like us of Facebook.
Darien Park District Farmers Market
The Darien Park District is hosting a Farmers Market every Wednesday thru September 9.  The Market runs from 3:00p.m. to 7:00p.m at Westwood Park, 75th Street and Fairview Ave.
 
The Farmers Market / Flea Market features a wide variety of seasonally fresh vegetables and fruits, and other fine offerings from local vendors.    
Local Grown Local Good - Sunny Patch Project  
Good Worx is working to raise awareness about hunger and food insecurity in our community with their Sunny Patch Garden Project.  They've tripled the number of families they're assisting this summer! Volunteers are needed to help make this worthwhile community project succeed.
 
If you're able to donate any time to help maintain our garden patches around the community, please follow our VolunteerSpot link:  http://vols.pt/UHL7YX and get in and grow with us this summer. Looking to give back this holiday weekend? We'll be open Saturday and Monday if you care to stop by to see what's growing!
 
To learn more about how you can help, visit: www.sunnypatchproject.org
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! 

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