Darien Direct Connect E-Newsletter: May 23, 2024

The following email provides timely information on news and services

from the City of Darien.

City of Darien Website

Weekly eNews - May 23, 2024

Mayor's Message

Last week was National Police Week, and I want to show my high regard as well as to say thanks to our Darien Officers, with this reprint from our 2023 Darien Spring Newsletter. I can’t thank the men and women of the Darien Police Department enough for all they do for me and for the residents of the City of Darien.

Several weeks ago, I received close to thirty “Thank You” cards from a class of students in District #61. I enjoyed reading their notes thanking me for sending them a video where I discussed my role as Mayor of the City of Darien. While each card was unique, there was one thought expressed in almost all of them, they thanked me for keeping them safe. While I appreciate the sentiment, what I want them to know, is that the people who really do keep them safe, are the men and women of the Darien Police Department. They are the true heroes, the individuals who go out each day with only one purpose in mind, to keep the City of Darien safe for its residents.

If you have never visited with a Darien Police officer, I suggest you take some time to meet one; you will soon realize that they are just like the rest of us. Behind the uniform and all the equipment, they have families and lives very similar to the rest of us. The difference between their lives and ours, is that they go to work every day, put on a uniform and dedicate their lives to the safety and wellbeing of all Darien residents.

Darien’s men and women in blue are among the finest officers serving any community in DuPage County and the State of Illinois. I am biased, and I will add, that as I have come to know them personally, they are the FINEST department in DuPage County and the State of Illinois, and according to current data, you will see this information shows how we live in one of the safest communities in DuPage County. That doesn’t happen by accident, it takes outstanding leadership, excellent training, state of the art equipment and the dedication of thirty-four men and women who are deeply dedicated to serving each of us on a daily basis. In an era when many are critical of police, here in Darien we respect and honor them for their work.

So in response to the students who thanked me for keeping them safe, I can only

say that when you see a Darien Police officer, thank them and remember that true

heroes don’t wear capes, they wear “blue.” Thank you to all of our Darien officers and

leaders, I am honored to be your mayor.

Memorial Day Weekend Events

Join us at the following Memorial Day Weekend Events to commemorate the Veterans we know and love and those who came before.

Friday, May 24

5:00 p.m. - Clarendon Hills Cemetery Flag Placing - VFW and volunteers will place flags at the gravesites of over 1400 Veterans.

Monday, May 27

9:00 a.m. - VFW Commemoration Event at Clarendon Hills Cemetery in the Veterans' Memorial area.
11:00 a.m. - VFW Commemoration Event - Attendees can join the event at the Veterans' Memorial by the North Pavilion in Darien Community Park.
3:00 p.m. - Clarendon Hills Cemetery Flag Removal - VFW and volunteers will remove flags from the gravesites. (done to allow next day area maintenance)

Holiday Service Update

City Hall will be closed on Monday, May 27, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

Refuse/Recycling Collection services by LRS will be postponed by one day for the remainder of the week.

The overnight parking ban will be temporarily suspended from May 24 at 2 a.m. through May 28 at 6 a.m. Please have a safe Memorial Day Weekend!

City Council Recognition

City Council recognized the Downers Grove South Wind Ensemble (pictured L) which was selected to perform at the 50th Anniversary super state band festival at the University of Illinois. Also recognized was Darien Lions Club member, Paul Gangi (pictured R), who was named Humanitarian of the Year!

North Frontage Road Westbound at Cass Avenue Road Closure to Begin May 28

The Illinois Department of Transportation has notified Martam Construction that the road closure may not begin until May 28 and is expected to continue through August 30, 2024. The existing informational signs will be revised. Learn more.

Lead Water Service Line Survey

Approximately 1,700 residents received a Lead Water Service Line Survey in the mail this week. Please either fill out the survey you received and mail back to the City of Darien or click here to complete the survey online.

PLEASE NOTE: this letter was only sent to the residents who did not have a new smart meter installed because their meter had been replaced right before this program was rolled out. If you did not receive the letter, this does not pertain to you.

Road Rehab Program

Road rehab work for the City of Darien has begun and will continue through the beginning of June. Check out the schedule here.

Wood Chip Delivery for Residents

Wood chip delivery is available from the City of Darien, for City of Darien Residents. There is a delivery fee of $35.00 for a half load, which is approximately 3 cubic yards of chips, and $55.00 for a full load, which is approximately 8 cubic yards of chips. The wood chips are double ground and are delivered on Fridays.

Mulch is NOT available for pick-up. Please call Municipal Services at 630-353-8105 for more information or to schedule a delivery.

Branch Pickup Dates

The City’s Public Works Branch Pickup Program is free for all single-family homes and provides for the collection and disposal of branches from residential properties. Please stack the branches neatly by the curb on the Sunday before the pickup week. The chipper can accept branches up to 6” in diameter.

UPCOMING FREE BRANCH PICK-UP DATES

June 24 - 28
August 26 - 30
October 21 - 25

Darien Welcomes Charleys Cheesesteaks

Craving a savory sandwich? Charleys Cheesesteaks offers made-to-order cheesesteaks, wings, shakes and more! Stop by 7517 South Cass Ave. or check out their delicious menu here.

Tick Bite Prevention

With warmer winters, we're expected to see more ticks in the Spring and throughout the Summer. Ticks can be disease vectors, so it is important to try to prevent tick bites when you head outdoors.

Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
Avoid contact with ticks. Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Walk in the center of trails.
Check your clothing and body for ticks after coming back indoors. Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors. If the clothes are damp, additional time may be needed. If the clothes require washing first, hot water is recommended.
Don't forget to check your pets as well
Learn more here.

Online Portal – Property Maintenance Concerns

Residents can now submit their property maintenance concerns on the City’s new online site, OpenGov. This streamlined site allows users a way to submit their property maintenance concerns, commonly referred to as property maintenance violations. In order to access the portal, please visit the City’s website. If you have any questions, please contact Jordan Yanke, City Planner, at (630) 353-8113.

Get Emergency Alerts from the Darien Police Department

In our continuing effort to keep Darien residents informed, the Darien Police Department is introducing Emergency Notifications via text. Please visit our Direct Connect Signup page and provide your cell phone number to receive text notifications in case of an emergency. These texts will be sent at any time (day and night) when an incident within the City may impact the community (e.g. police activity, accidents where there are road closures, etc.). There is no cost to sign up for this service. The Police Department will continue to use X/Twitter for non-urgent notifications.

Be in the Know - Help Spread the Word

Darien’s Direct Connect E-Newsletter (DC) is the City’s primary source of information for residents and businesses. Please tell your friends and neighbors about DC, forward this email to them, and ask them to sign up. Signing up is simple and can be done here.