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CITY NEWS
GO CUBS GO! 
Congratulations Chicago Cubs, National League Winners!  Good Luck in the World Series - BRING IT HOME! 
City of Darien Election Packets
Packets for the April 4, 2017 Consolidated Election may be picked up at Darien City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road, beginning September 20, 2016.

Available Elected Positions include:
ALDERMAN for Ward 1, 3, 5, and 7 (4 year term)
ALDERMAN for Ward 4 (unexpired 2 year term)

Candidates are encouraged to seek advice of legal counsel before filing nomination papers, which must be in apparent conformity with the Election Code.  The first day to file is December 12, 2016 at 8:30 A.M. and the last day to file is December 19, 2016 at 5:00 P.M.

Regular business hours at City Hall are Monday thru Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

For more information please call 630-852-5000.
Voter Information  
Early Voting began on October 24 and runs thru November 7.  The closest location to Darien to vote early is Downers Grove Village Hall at 801 Burlington.  Hours to early vote will be Mon. - Fri. from 8:30am to 7:30pm, and Saturday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. 

For more locations to early vote and information on registering to vote visit the DuPage County Election Commission website.
Trick-or-Treat Hours 
The City of Darien does not regulate Trick-or-Treat hours.  We recommend you Trick-or-Treat during daylight hours on October 31, and enjoy the Lions Club Halloween party at night.  
Daylight Savings Time    
Daylight savings time ends Sunday, November 6 at 2:00am.  Remember to "Fall Behind" by turning your clocks back one hour.
  
Our Fire Districts also remind people to make another change that could save their lives - change your smoke alarm and CO Detector batteries. Changing these batteries twice a year is the simplest and most effective way to reduce tragic deaths and injuries. After you change the battery, make sure you test it to ensure the alarm is working properly.  
Free Fall Leaf Pickup Under Way 
The City of Darien is again providing fall leaf pick-up FREE OF CHARGE to residents. The program began October 3 and will run thru  November 26 of this year, and takes place weekly on your normal garbage 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.

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.
Help Keep Leaves out of Storm Sewers  
The City of Darien ask for residents help in keeping street flooding down.  City crews go out and clean catch basins and storm drains in the streets, but they fill up quickly again at this time of year with the falling leaves, which can cause road flooding during storms.  Residents can help keep flooding down by clearing out leaves and debris blocking the storm sewers in front of their homes.
Refuse Can Storage   
The City of Darien code on refuse storage and disposal is as follows:
  • Any refuse, recyclables, or compostable materials placed on the parkway shall be stored in containers or otherwise appropriately secured to ensure that debris or refuse is not scattered by weather, animals, or other causes.
  • Refuse, recyclables or compostable materials stored in approved containers such as kraft bags, may be placed on the parkway 24 hours before the scheduled scavenger service and containers used to store these items shall be removed from the parkway 24 hours after said scavenger service.
  • Containers may not be placed anywhere between the front of the main building, or the side when facing the street, and the street, except during the times specified above
Carbon Monoxide Detectors Required   
State of Illinois requires single family and multiple family residences to have at least one approved and operating carbon monoxide alarm within 15 feet of each bedroom.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas produced during incomplete combustion of fuels - for example, natural gas, LP gas, kerosene, oil, wood, and charcoal. The gas is lethal to humans if it builds up in the home.

Carbon monoxide alarms may be battery powered, plug-in with battery back-up, or AC hard wired with battery back-up. Batteries should be changed regularly to ensure proper operation.

Carbon monoxide alarms are widely available in hardware and home improvement stores.  
 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, November 7
 7:30 p.m.

Monday, November 21
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
Furnace Maintenance Tips 
It's that time of year again - when the temperature drops and the furnace is put back into service. It's important to keep your furnace in working order to maximize its efficiency while ensuring the safety of your home and family. Here are a few tips for regular maintenance you should plan on with your furnace.
 
Service by a Technician
Have your furnace checked each year by a certified heating and cooling technician.
A regular maintenance visit might include a cleaning of the motor, blower (including belts and pulleys) and filter system as well as replacement of the oil filter, adjustments for the burner and other regulators and controls.
 
Replace Your Furnace Filters
Regular furnace maintenance should include replacing furnace filters on a monthly basis. A clogged filter can cause the furnace to work harder to move air which will then use more energy and raise your heating bill. An overtaxed furnace can also become a fire hazard in your home, which makes this simple maintenance project an absolute must.
If you are uncertain if your furnace filter actually needs to be changed, here is a good way to tell. Hold your filter up to a light bulb. Do you see a clear outline of the bulb or do you just see dirt and dust? If you can't see the bulb - change the filter. If you have pets in your home or smoke (or live with a smoker) you will probably need to change your filter more often. When in doubt - change it out. Replacement filters are a lot less expensive than a replacement blower motor in your furnace or worse yet, a whole new furnace.
 
Check for Obstructions
Make sure your return air vents and supply registers are not blocked. They should be free of obstructions by furniture, clothing or other items in your home. This should be a regular part of your maintenance routine and will only take a few minutes to do.
 
Check the Blower
Check the blower assembly in your furnace. The belt should not be loose or damaged. If your furnace doesn't have a sealed blower motor you should add a few drops of oil to the motor for smoother running and better efficiency.
 
Call a Professional
As with any home improvement project, if you don't feel experienced or comfortable in attempting to do more than simple maintenance (changing filters, checking for obstructions), call a professional.
Coyotes In DuPage County    
Coyotes are a permanent fixture in DuPage County's rural, suburban and urban areas. Seeing a coyote cross a field, backyard, road or golf course does not necessarily constitute a problem or dangerous situation, either for humans or domestic animals. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County reminds DuPage County residents that coyote sightings may increase between now and February as young leave their parents in search of mates and territories to call their own.
 
Most coyotes are harmless; their goal is to eat more natural foods such as mice and rabbits. However, coyotes are opportunistic. If coyotes see easy food - such as open garbage- and aren't afraid, they may take advantage. That puts them in direct line for a confrontation with pets. Coyotes are not interested in eating pets, these are territorial disputes. There have been recent reports of small family dogs that were killed by coyotes in neighboring towns. Studies have shown that attempts at eliminating all coyotes are not practical, economical or workable. When coyotes are removed others quickly move in.
 
For more information on Coyotes you can visit the DuPage County Forest Preserve District
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 call Advanced to let them know you will be placing 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.  Advanced can be reached at 708-409-9700. 
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 3000 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
Burr Ridge Electronics Recycling Center  
Burr Ride is now a designated Electronics Recycling Collection center.  This collection center is located at the Public Works building at 451 Commerce Street and is sponsored by eWorks ESI, the Village of Burr Ridge, and DuPage County. 

The center is staffed daily from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.. There is a fee for all televisions and monitors, which can be paid in advance at http://recycle.eworksesi.org or you may pay the fee onsite.

For a complete list of acceptable items, click here.  "Fly dumping" is NOT permitted.
Lisle Electronic Recycling    
In order to assist DuPage County residents with collecting unwanted electronics and to ensure environmentally-responsible recycling of these devices, DuPage County and the Village of Lisle have partnered with eWorks Electronics Recycling Services, Inc.  to develop an electronics recycling drop-off program to collect electronics on a regular basis.

The Village of Lisle offers a site for electronic recycling the third Saturday of every month, from 8am to 12pm at 925 Burlington Avenue.  Televisions will be collected for a fee that ranges from $25 to $35..  For a complete list of accepted items visit  here. 
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
Free Halloween Goody Bag
Countryside Bank at 7380 S. Route 83 is kicking off Halloween early and will be handing out free Goody Bags to their young friends on Friday, October 28 from 4:00pm to 5:30pm.  Visit them in your Halloween costume to receive a goody bag and enter the drawing for a $10.00 gift card.  Goody bags available while supplies last - Sponsored by WHBCD Kiwanis Club.
Mobile Food Pantry coming to Darien Saturday, Oct. 29
Are you or someone you know in need of food assistance? HCS Family Services is hosting a Mobile Pantry on Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Darien Village Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road, Darien. The Mobile Pantry, offered in partnership with Northern Illinois Food Bank, provides nutritious food at no cost to low-income individuals and families in need. Participants are asked to bring bags or boxes in which to pack their food. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Food distribution will begin at 10 a.m.
Founded in 1937, HCS Family Services is a nonprofit organization based in Hinsdale, Illinois that is dedicated to strengthening our community by reducing hunger and promoting self-sufficiency. HCS Family Services provides assistance for hungry neighbors from Downers Grove to Countryside, from Oak Brook to Willowbrook. For more information, log onto www.HCSFamilyServices.org.
Lions Club Halloween Party
Darien Lions Club & Darien Park District host their Annual Halloween Party at the Darien Sportsplex 405 Plainfield Rd.. from 6:30pm until 9pm on October 31.
Please join us for a Spooky good time!  Free Admission & Free: Games, Ice Cream and Ice Skating! 
Pumpkin Recycling!
Don't let your waste haunt you! Drop off your Halloween pumpkin for composting on Saturday, November 5 from 9:00am to noon, at Hinsdale South student parking lot.
Historical Society Turkey Raffle
Darien Historical Society repeats long-ago tradition with a TURKEY RAFFLE on Friday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m., at Chuck's Café, xxxx Cass avenue

Pre-Event Tickets $10.00 - At Door $12.00. includes one raffle ticket. Additional tickets are .50 cents apiece. Plus Silent Auction, Pulled Pork and 21 and-over refreshments available. Win a turkey for your holiday season!

Call 630-724-7325 for tickets
Looking for Crafters and Vendors!
The 2016 EJH Craft and Vendor Fair Applications are available! It's that time to plan for the Eisenhower Choir & Sports boosters CRAFT SHOW fundraiser in Darien. If you or someone you know would like to participate please take the time or pass it on! Please note the date of the actual fair is November 12 this year. $35-45.00 for 10x10ft spot depending on your needs and deadline. Payment due at the time of the application. We are asking, if at all possible to for donations to make raffle baskets from each crafter/vendor ahead of time, a description of the item and your business card or contact info. We make great raffle baskets with several items and information for marketing!

Should you have any questions or in need of an application form email: choirboosters61@gmail.com

Please support the Arts & Sports by participating in the Eisenhower Junior High Craft Fair Fundraiser this year!
VFW Nationwide Student Essay COMPETITIONS
Patriot's Pen (Middle School) - "THE AMERICA I BELIEVE IN"

Voice of Democracy (High School) - "MY RESPONSIBILITY TO AMERICA"

Patriot's Pen Essay Competition (6th through 8th grade) Grand Prize $5,000
The Patriot's Pen is open to 6th through 8th grade students. See entry form details. Students submit a self-written essay of 300 - 400 typewritten words in English and based on this year's theme: "THE AMERICA I BELIEVE IN." Deadline is November 1st for submittal to the Darien VFW. Monetary awards are provided. The first-place national award is $5,000 plus an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Competition (high school)
Grand Prize $30,000 Scholarship
The program is open to high school students in grades 9 through 12. See entry form details. Students submit a self-written and recorded three to five minute audio essay, in English, expressing their views on this year's theme: "MY RESPONSIBILITY TO AMERICA." Deadline is November 1 to submit your recorded essay on CD or thumb drive to the Darien VFW. Monetary awards are provided. Qualifying winners receive expense-paid trips to State and National selection banquets.

Entry forms for Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy are available at Darien City Hall, at your school, or by email by contacting the appropriate chairperson listed below.
Entry deadline is November 1.

Patriot's Pen Chair: John at  630-910-3177, email: trvlfshman@sbcglobal.net
Voice of Democracy Chair: Nick at 630-910-8552, email: ndarien@comcast.net,
Christ the Servant Electronic Recycling & Coat Drive
Christ the Servant will be hosting an electronic recycling event and coat drive  on Saturday, November 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30am, located at 8700 Havens Drive in Woodridge.

They will be taking computers, printers, fax machines, medical equipment, copy machines, hard drives, extension cords, and more. Please note: there will be a charge of $25.00 for TV's under 21", and $35.00 for TV's 21" and over

Gently used coats will be collected for those in need and donated to the Woodridge Food Pantry.

For more information visit their website. 
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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