While this coming Sunday, May 12 will be a day of celebrating our mothers, many of us do not need a designated day to remember the impact our mothers had on our lives. It has been 15 years since we said goodbye to my mom, and not a day goes by that I am not reminded of an event that puts a smile on my face or leaves a tear in my eye. While my sisters constantly kid me that I was mom’s favorite, I can honestly say that she was as strict a disciplinarian with me as she was with my sisters. If I ever tried to deceive her, she would quickly recognize it, before the words came out of my mouth, and there would be a punishment for my actions. She demanded sincerity and honesty from all of us, and she was a daily role model for those virtues. In my high school graduation yearbook she wrote a beautiful message reminding me to always be “sincere and honest” throughout my life. That phrase has come into my mind many times throughout my life, and I work diligently to live up to her expectations.

My mother was a great housekeeper, the best cook and baker, a wonderful mother in law, a loving grandmother to my sons and my niece and nephews, and a perfect role model of a wife and her love for my father. While she was all of these things, her greatest attribute was her ability to practice unconditional love every day of her life. She guarded and defended her love ones, and regardless of one’s behavior, she was always there for each of us up until the day she left us.  

I really don’t need a special day to appreciate the love that she demonstrated each day of her life; I know that I am who I am because of her and the love and support she always had for all of us. To those of you who still have your mothers in your lives, cherish your time with her, find time to be with her, and let her always know how important she is in your life. To those of you like me, who only have memories of our moms, I wish you a day where you can reflect on all the wonderful things your mom brought to your life, and I hope those memories put a smile on your face and a tear in your eyes. Happy Mother’s Day!

The Morton Arboretum wants to prepare you for the emergence of millions of cicadas very soon. This is particularly exciting as it only happens once every 17 years!

The Arboretum shares, "The great cicada emergence of 2024 is likely to happen soon. In fact, at The Morton Arboretum, a few cicada emergence tubes and chimneys had been found in late April. The mass of cicada Brood XIII will tunnel out of the soil when its temperature reaches 64 degrees at a depth of 8 inches. The emergence of periodical cicadas is a remarkable natural phenomenon that only occurs once in 17 years."

"For about four to six weeks there will be millions of big, red-eyed insects flying around and making an ear-splitting noise, especially in areas with lots of old trees. They will be annoying, but they are harmless to people and pets; they can’t bite or sting." Find more information on the Morton Arboretum's website." Learn more here.

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.

The Illinois Department of Transportation has recently awarded a contract to Martam Construction for the curve correction on the I-55 North Frontage Road at Cass Avenue within the City of Darien in DuPage County. Traffic control devices and informational signage will be in place during the project. The project will entail a Road Closure between Bailey Road and the Mount Caramel Church entrance on Frontage Road. Access for the Shell Gas Station, Alpine Banquets and Church traffic will not be impacted and will be able to enter and exit onto Frontage Road during construction. The Carriage Greens Country Club and Center Cass School patrons and residents will need to detour to Plainfield Road and Bailey Road south to Frontage Rd.

While the City of Darien looks forward to the safety improvements, we request of all to be mindful and patient of the speed limits within the detour area of the neighborhood roadways.

Road rehab work for the City of Darien is tentatively scheduled to begin on May 6 and continue through the beginning of June. Check out the schedule here.

Warmer weather means more commercial door-to-door solicitors. Residents that do not want commercial solicitors to ring their doorbells should post a sign indicating “No solicitors invited.” These decals are available at City Hall (1702 Plainfield Road) or the Darien Police Department (1710 Plainfield Road). The City of Darien advises residents NOT to give their utility bills to solicitors. Note: home solicitors are required to show you a city permit. If a home solicitor fails to show you a city permit or you think the solicitation is a scam, please call 911 immediately to report. 

There are a few exceptions to the city’s solicitation ordinance. City code reads:

The first full week of May is Public Service Recognition Week in honor of the individuals who serve America as federal, state, county and local government employees.

We hope you will join The City of Darien in celebrating our civilian and military public servants this year. We are grateful for the time and energy they give to our community - Thank you!

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as Peace Officers' Memorial Day, and the week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. While the actual dates change from year to year, National Police Week is always the calendar week, beginning on Sunday, which includes May 15.

During this week, let's all take time to thank those who serve our community, state, and nation and also to remember and honor those who have lost their lives in service.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) is promoting mental well-being and treatment resources within our community.

DCHD recognizes that the need for immediate crisis support is more critical than ever. The 988 hotline serves as a lifeline for individuals experiencing mental health crises. By dialing 988, residents can connect with trained professionals who will provide immediate assistance and connect them with local resources for ongoing support.

Additionally, DCHD offers an array of crisis services, a 24/7 county crisis hotline (630) 627-1700, mobile crisis response for children, adolescents, and adults, as well as a crisis residential unit for short-term mental health stabilization for residents over 18 years old.

Be a lifeline for someone who is in crisis or considering suicide. Call, chat, or text 988. You could save a life. Learn more by viewing the full article here.

Expeirience the warmth and flavors of Morocco at TAKTUKA at 801 Plainfield Road in Darien. They promise an unforgettable experience for you and your family! Learn more here.

The City of Darien will be providing residents interested in replacing their driveway, apron

and City sidewalk the opportunity to participate in the 2024 Concrete Replacement Program. Suburban Concrete, Inc. is the vendor for the program this year with pricing as follows:

Residents may be able to obtain a lower price quote from a local concrete company. Suburban Concrete, Inc. may be higher as they pay employees prevailing wages established for DuPage County. Private companies may not be required to pay those same employee rates. Additionally, Suburban Concrete, Inc. uses a cement mix of 6:1 as others may use a less expensive/desired cement mix ratio of 5:1.

Residents interested in participating in the program should contact Diane with the City of

Darien at 630-353-8102 to request a proposal. The deadline to participate in the program is June 30.

This coming week, May 13 - 17, is Bike to Work Week. If you've been thinking about starting a bicycle commute, this is your chance to try it out with people all across the country! Don't worry if biking to work is too far or just feels intimidating, start small with a trip around the block or to the corner store. Just remember all these great reasons from The League of American Bicyclists to get on your bike and start pedaling this spring and summer:

BIKING IS FUN: Biking brings people together, encourages discovery, and fosters community engagement

BIKING IS HEALTHY: Bicycling can integrate physical activity into our daily routines

BIKING IS GREEN: Biking curbs your carbon footprint, reduces air pollution and reliance on fossil fuels

BIKING SAVES MONEY: Biking cuts parking, gas and other driving costs while reducing traffic congestion

The City of Darien is accepting applications for the following positions:

Applications can be obtained here and can be sent to the City of Darien at 1702 Plainfield Rd., Darien, IL 60561 or emailed to lklemm@darienil.gov.

The Economic Development Committee scheduled for Thursday, May 2, has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 9, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. View the meeting packet here.

The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on May 15, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road, Darien, IL 60561.

The purpose of the public hearing will be to hear testimony from interested persons and make a recommendation on CASE NO. PZC2024-03, CASE NO. PZC2024-04, and CASE NO. PCZ2024-05. View details of all cases here.

In-person attendance at Planning and Zoning Commission meetings is allowed and you are encouraged to participate by submitting questions and comments via email to the City Planner Jordan Yanke.

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.

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.

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.

Click on the links below for more information on these upcoming community events!

Lions Club Big Raffle 2024: link

Darien Park District Family Fun Night - May 10: link

Darien Arts Council Meeting - May 14: link

DGC Sprouts Learning Garden Planting Day/Pizza Party - May 18: link

Darien Garden Club - Celebrating the Cyclical Cicada! - May 22: link

Mayor Joe Marchese, (630) 200-2390

Bryon Vana, City Administrator,

City Hall (630) 852-5000

Police Department (630) 971-3999

Public Works Streets & Water (630) 353-8105

Community Development (630) 353-8115

Visit the City of Darien's website for information on City services.

Follow us on Facebook at @CityofDarien.

Follow us on X at @CityofDarien.

Follow the Darien Police Department on X at @DarienPolice.

Join your Darien neighbors on Nextdoor.