Contributed photo | www.darien.il.us
Contributed photo | www.darien.il.us
Mayor's Message
“Perfection has to do with the end product, but excellence has to do with the process.”
Jerry Moran
The Darien City Council completed its review of the FYE23 budget on March 1 and will hold a public hearing and final approval in April. While our review was completed in two four-hour sessions, the process for developing our budgets began back in the fall and goes through many iterations prior to going to the Council for examination and final approval. It is an intricate and transparent process - one that must meet the needs of the City and its residents within the limits of our resources. We spend considerable time reviewing this document repeatedly until we feel the process we have followed reflects our values as a city. I am proud of the dedication and work of City staff and elected officials whose diligence and commitment to the “process” results in a budget document that ensures Darien continues to be “a nice place to live.”
- Mayor Joe Marchese
Congratulations to the Hinsdale South State Champion Speech Team!
Mayor Marchese congratulated the State Champion Speech Team from Hinsdale South High School.
Livestream City Council Meetings
Did you know that City Council meetings are livestreamed on YouTube? Just go to this YouTube link and watch the meetings live! If you would like to view a past meeting, click here for the archive of previous meetings.
Electric Aggregation Program will revert to ComED
Darien’s current electric aggregation program contract runs through April this year. The program features 100% renewable energy. Unfortunately, suppliers are not able to renew this program. All residents currently being served by the aggregation supplier (Eligo Energy) will be returned to ComEd. There is no financial impact to residents as they previously were paying the ComEd rate and will continue to pay the ComEd rate after they are returned to ComEd. Our consultant will again test the market a year from now to see if any programs would be available to benefit our residents.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
If you are partaking in St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations this weekend, the Darien Police Department reminds you to celebrate safely and plan ahead for a sober ride home.
- Designate a sober driver or have an alternate transportation plan before the party begins.
- Never let a friend drive drunk. Arrange a safe way for them to get home.
- Don't ride in a vehicle with an intoxicated driver.
- Always buckle up. It's your best defense against drunk drivers.
Daylight Saving Time - Change Clocks this Weekend
When changing your clocks, it's also a good time to test your smoke alarms. Be sure to change replaceable batteries if needed. Learn More.
- Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.
- Smoke alarms with any other type of battery need a new battery at least once a year. If that alarm chirps, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.
- When replacing a battery, follow manufacturer’s list of batteries on the back of the alarm or manufacturer’s instructions. Manufacturer’s instructions are specific to the batteries (brand and model) that must be used. The smoke alarm may not work properly if a different kind of battery is used.
Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month. The 2022 Women’s History theme, “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” is both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history. The City recognizes and salutes the valuable contributions that women make to our community. Learn More.
ComEd Tree Trimming Coming to our Area
ComEd has notified the City that they will be conducting ash tree mitigation activities in our area. The mitigation of dead or dying ash trees infested by Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), is a proactive component of ComEd’s maintenance program to ensure system electrical reliability, as broken limbs, trees and vegetation contact with ComEd equipment is a leading cause of outages. For more information, click here.
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - March 16
The Planning & Zoning Commission will meet on Wednesday, March 16 at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road, in the City Hall Council Chambers. The Commission will review property maintenance and code enforcement procedures.
Darien Historical Society/Darien Woman’s Club Plant Sale
When: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Where: On the Grounds of Old Lace Schoolhouse and Museum
7422 Cass Avenue, Darien
Pick-Up Time: 10 A.M. to 12 Noon
Plants must be pre-ordered and paid for when the order is placed. Plants must be picked up on the day of the sale. Drive-Thru Plant Pick-Up! All proceeds will go towards the efforts of both organizations to benefit the community.
Political Signs Not Permitted
on City Property
As a reminder, election and other temporary signs, are not permitted on City property. The City does remove and dispose of signs on a daily basis. Many of these signs are placed on roadways and the road rights-of-way and violate city code section 4-3-8-S: EXEMPT SIGNS.
Queen of Hearts
The Darien Lions Queen of Hearts Raffle had their third drawing on the new board and the 4 of Hearts was revealed at position 42.
The new pot will grow to approximately $6,900 for next week's drawing. Get your tickets for only $1 at Q Bar in Darien and join them for next week's drawing!!
Rotary Club - Casino Night - April 26
The Darien Rotary Club is hosting a Casino Night on Tuesday, April 26 at Ashyana Banquets, 1620 75th Street, Downers Grove.
The evening will include Las Vegas-style casino games, food, drinks, silent auction.
Cost: $100 / person, includes $100 of casino chips and one drink. The event helps the Darien Rotary Club feed approximately 150 school-age children in Darien and nearby communities. Register or donate here.
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.
Darien Police Weekly Press Release
The Darien Police Department issues a press release each week.
Darien Events and Happenings
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