Contributed photo | www.darien.il.us
Contributed photo | www.darien.il.us
The following email provides timely information on news and services from the City of Darien.
View City Council agendas and minutes. | Read past issues of Direct Connect.
Weekly eNews - January 13, 2022
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Monday, January 17
Please join us in honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 17. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day of reflection and service and is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. Make a commitment to serve in your community on MLK Day and throughout 2022. Find volunteer opportunities here.
City Hall will be open on Monday and there are no changes to service.
City Council Meeting - January 17
The City Council will meet on Monday, January 17 at 7:30 p.m. virtually, via Zoom.
Planning and Zoning Commission - January 19
The Planning and Zoning Commission will meet virtually on Wednesday, January 19 at 7 p.m. View agenda packet.
The agenda item (PZC2021-07) continued from the previous meeting will be discussed. The Commission will also be evaluating the City's list of Key Development Areas.
Waste Management - Final Invoice
The City will have a new refuse/recycling service provider, LRS, starting April 1. By now, residents should have received their final invoice from Waste Management for the period of 1/1/2022 thru 3/31/2022. The last pick-up from Waste Management will be Friday, March 25th through Thursday, March 31st. If you utilize the sticker program, this is also the last pick-up for stickers. Any unused stickers can be returned to City Hall for reimbursement through April 29th. Any questions, please contact City Hall at 630-852-5000.
Learn More About Darien's New Refuse/Recycling Service Provider, LRS
Beginning April 1
As of April 1, LRS will be the new service provider for curbside waste, recycling, and yard waste for Darien homes. Residents will be receiving a brochure in the mail with details on the program. Check out the LRS website.
What I Love About the City of Darien
Thank you to everyone who has submitted comments for our "What I Love About the City of Darien" feature. It truly is heartwarming to hear what our residents say about our community. We will be continuing to share these wonderful thoughts about our City. Thanks to all who make this community such a great place!
Space Heater Safety
When the weather turns cold, it can bring a chill into our homes. Portable space heaters have become a popular way to supplement central heating or heat one room.
If you plan to use portable electric space heaters, make sure to follow these tips and recommendations:
- Purchase a heater with the seal of a qualified testing laboratory.
- Keep the heater at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from anything that can burn, including people.
- Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection.
- Place the heater on a solid, flat surface.
- Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off to turn the heater off if it tips over.
- Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic.
- Never block an exit.
- Keep children away from the space heater.
- Plug the heater directly into the wall outlet. Never use an extension cord.
- Space heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room or go to bed.
West Suburban Pantry Temporarily Returns to
Curbside Service for COVID Safety
In light of the recent surge of COVID-19 cases sweeping the region, out of an abundance of caution West Suburban Community Pantry has temporarily shifted to curbside only service in Woodridge but has developed three ways families can still receive groceries safely and with the variety they choose:
- Prepacked boxes can be picked up curbside
- Customers wishing to choose their own groceries can do so from a curbside menu from the safety of their car when they arrive at the Pantry and have their selections boxed and delivered to their car.
- Additionally, the Pantry features a Virtual Food Pantry allowing customers to order their specific grocery selections online up to 24-hours before they come to pick them up curbside at a location and day convenient to them. Users of the Virtual Pantry may register for the service at www.virtualfoodpantry.net.
Be Salt Smart
Salt products can hurt our dog’s paws. Here’s a few things you can do to care for your pets this winter:
- Wipe down their paws with a towel when getting back indoors.
- Get them a pair of booties (and giggle at their funny walk as they get used to them).
- Be Salt Smart – use less salt to clear your driveway and sidewalk by shoveling first before using salt on icy patches.
Darien Garden Club
The Darien Garden Club’s next meeting will be on Monday, February 7 via Zoom. Dr. Daniel B Raudabaugh will present a program on garden fungi including fungi in the soil and its importance for a healthy garden. Please register to receive meeting link.
Darien Arts Council - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
The Darien Arts Council is holding auditions for all ages for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Show dates are May 13 and 14; auditions will be held at Indian Prairie Library January 22 from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.; January 23, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. and callbacks January 25, 6 - 7:45 p.m. with rehearsals beginning the end of February.
For information, email darienartscouncil@gmail.com or call 630/546-8591.
COVID-19 Isolation & Quarantine
The CDC recently updated guidance on COVID-19 Isolation & Quarantine. Here’s a quick guide to follow:
If you were exposed to COVID-19: You quarantine and stay away from others when you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
If you are sick or test positive: You isolate when you are sick or when you have been infected with the virus, even if you don’t have symptoms.
COVID-19 Testing
Beginning January 15, the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) COVID-19 Drive Through Test Site located at the Odeum Expo Center in Villa Park will be open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Anyone can be tested regardless of symptoms. No appointment, doctor referral, or insurance is required. Pre-registration is available at www.testdirectly.com. Testing is critically important to help reduce the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. For more information, visit here.
Vehicle Stickers Now Available
2022 vehicle stickers are available at both City Hall and the Police Department for a $3.00 donation. Vehicle stickers are not required by the City, they are offered each year by community service organizations as a fundraiser for the organization.
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. There are approximately 4,800 subscribers to DC - we want to double that number before the end of the year and we need your help to reach that goal. 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. Thanks!
Darien Police Weekly Press Release
The Darien Police Department issues a press release each week.
Darien Events and Happenings
Connect with us!
Mayor Joe Marchese, (630) 200-2390
(630) 353-8114
City Hall (630) 852-5000
Police Department (630) 971-3999
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 Twitter at @CityofDarien.
Follow the Darien Police Department on Twitter at @DarienPolice.
Join your Darien neighbors on Nextdoor.
City of Darien | 1702 Plainfield, Darien, IL 60561
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