Darien Direct Connect E-Newsletter: April 3, 2025

The following email provides timely information on news and services

from the City of Darien.

City of Darien Website

Weekly eNews - April 3, 2025

Mayor's Message

“The game begins in the spring when everything else begins again.” - Unknown

While I appreciate the beauty of each of the seasons, spring time is definitely my favorite time of the year. Why you may ask? Well, springtime is a season of rebirth; have you noticed how the grass is turning greener, the buds on the trees just waiting to burst open, and shoots sprouting out of the ground as they prepare to bloom? Each of these, along with Mother Nature’s teasing us with the occasional warm spring day. Springtime is a season of rebirth, and is almost God’s way of saying, “One more time.”

For me, there is another reason that I love spring; it not only signifies a sense of rebirth, it brings with it the hopes and dreams of every true baseball fan that this season will bring with it the success of their favorite team. While I love sports in general, for me, as Babe Ruth said, “Baseball was, is and always will be, the best game in the world,” and for me, spring brings with it my hope that my White Sox will overcome a disastrous 2024 season and find their winning ways in 2025. I know that is wishful thinking, but with the spring comes the hope that like the promise of rebirth, the Sox will experience a rebirth while rewarding their fans with an exciting baseball season.

There is another reason why this spring is so special for me; last fall I attended the last game of the home season with my favorite Sox fan, my son Jon. It was a beautiful September day, and the Sox provided us with a victory, and the hope of a better season in 2025. That was our last game together, we both realized that cancer would deprive us of another chance to once again visit the ballpark and cheer on our White Sox. We said goodbye to Jon in October, and while his passing has left us heartbroken, we know that he will always be with us in spirit. Last week saw opening day for the Sox, and the Marchese family was there at the ballpark cheering on our favorite team, and while he wasn’t with us physically, he was present in spirit, and we know that he was cheering his White Sox from his box seat in heaven.

Yes, springtime is special for my family; we will enjoy the beauty that nature brings us, and we will celebrate each White Sox victory, knowing that our favorite Sox fan will always be with us in spirit and in our hearts.

Scroll to the bottom to view Community Events

2025 Branch Pick-Up Schedule

Spring - April 21st

Summer - June 23rd

Summer - August 25th

Autumn - October 27th

The City of Darien is pleased to be able to offer FREE BRANCH PICKUP for all residents.

Stack the branches neatly by the curb on the Sunday before the pickup
Weather conditions, equipment failures and the like may result in delays. The chipping crew will make only one pass and may complete your street as soon as Monday morning.
The chipper can accept branches up to 6” in diameter. Please do not tie the branches or put in garbage cans. All other yard waste such as grass clippings and flowers should be disposed of through our yard waste program with LRS. City crews will only pick up branches.

WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT LOGS, STUMPS, ROOTS, GRASS CLIPPINGS, FLOWERS, WEEDS, PLANTS, LEAVES, LUMBER & ANYTHING IN BAGS OR OTHER CONTAINERS

If you have questions regarding branch pick up, contact Municipal Services at 630-353-8105.

Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Driving a vehicle is a huge responsibility and deserves all your attention. Just a quick glance at your phone can lead to an accident and, according to the NHTSA, over 32,000 people died in crashes involving distracted drivers from 2013-2022. Make a commitment to safe driving by following these tips:

If you have to text, pull over to a safe location and park your car — only then should you read or send the text message.
Distracted driving isn’t just texting, scrolling through social media or messaging while driving is distracted driving too.
Appoint your passenger as the “designated texter” to respond to calls or messages.
Activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, silence notifications, or your put phone away in the trunk so you won't be tempted to respond.
Speak up if you see someone texting and driving and ask them to put their phone away.
Learn more.

Earth Month Actions

April is Earth Month, so let's dive into some simple tips from the Environmental Protection Agency that we can all use to make our everyday lives more planet-friendly!

Free Trees for Residential Properties

The City of Darien has been invited to participate in the Chicago Region's Tree Initiative, with the Morton Arboretum providing up to 30 free trees for Darien residents to plant on their property. Due to the limited quantity, the trees will be divided among the city's seven wards and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The agreement and guidelines can be viewed here. The tree species may be viewed online through the Morton Arboretum at www.mortonarb.org.

Residents who are interested in participating should contact Regina Kokkinis at 630-353-8105 or via email at rkokkinis@darienil.gov.

Order Your Plants Today!

The Darien Historical Society and Darien Woman's Club's annual plant sale is coming up and your plant order must be submitted by Monday, April 7! Download your order form here. All proceeds will go towards the efforts of both organizations to benefit the community. View the flyer.

Recycle Your Election Yard Signs

Keep your yard signs out of the landfill by recycling them! The DuPage County Environmental Committee is offering the opportunity to recycle political and other corrugated plastic and cardboard signs. LRS will collect signs and metal stands at no cost. Only corrugated plastic and cardboard will be accepted. Metal stands must be separated from signs prior to drop off. View event flyer.

Bring your signs to the DuPage County Campus Main Entrance at 421 N County Farm Rd in Wheaton on Friday, April 11 (3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.) or on Saturday, April 12 (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.).

IDOT Construction Update

Frontage Road North and South Between Cass Ave and Clarendon Hills Rd.

Weather-permitting, the contractor has worked through the winter on the I-55 North and South Frontage Roads, removing and installing new culverts. On the S. Frontage Rd. they are currently backfilling and work is estimated at 70% complete. Due to additional utility relocations, the contractor is still working on culvert installation on N. Frontage Rd. and work is estimated at 25% complete. Pending suitable weather conditions and no additional conflicts, project completion is anticipated early June 2025.

Cass School District 63 Multicultural Celebration

On the evening of April 11, District 63 will be hosting a Multicultural Celebration at Cass Junior High School. Here is an event flyer with more details. Our purpose is simply to celebrate and learn about the diverse backgrounds of the families in our school district, and to foster an appreciation for the different cultures that make up our local community. Our families representing approximately 20 countries will showcase their heritage through clothing, dance, art, music and foods.

We are very excited to make this happen, and would love to have you attend! This wonderful event is free of charge and the entire community is invited to attend anytime on Friday, April 11, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. We hope to see you there!

SIX: The Musical at Hinsdale South High School - April 11-13

Experience history like never before as Hinsdale South's award-winning drama team presents SIX: The Musical (Teen Edition)! The cast brings Henry VIII’s six wives to life in a high-energy pop concert that reclaims their stories. With powerhouse vocals, dynamic choreography, and a modern twist, this electrifying show will have you dancing in your seat!

Tickets are sold at the door one hour before each show (Adults: $20, Students K-12: $10). View the flyer.

City Council Meeting - April 7

City Council will meet on Monday, April 7, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road. The agenda will be posted here. View meetings live on the City of Darien YouTube Channel.

Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Commission Meeting

The Regularly scheduled Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Commission Meeting scheduled for April 2, 2025 was cancelled due to a lack of a quorum.

Items scheduled to be heard at that meeting were adjourned to the regularly scheduled meeting of May 7, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, 1702 Plainfield Road.

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