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City of Darien Website

Weekly eNews - December 31, 2024

Mayor's Message

“Let our New Year’s resolution be this: we will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word.” - Goran Persson


This coming Wednesday we will be saying goodbye to 2024 and welcoming in 2025. Another 365 days have passed; we have aged another year and hopefully have grown wiser from our experiences. We have managed through another year, met new challenges, made new acquaintances and possibly have lost people dear to us. C.S Lewis asks us to consider the following question; “Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different.” When we look at our life on a day to day basis, we hardly notice the changes that are taking place to us and to those who interact with us. New Year’s 2024 is probably the one time during the past year that we will take a minute to look back, not only on the past year, but on the experiences that impacted us during the last 365 days.


I have always believed that we are the sum total of all of our life experiences; good or bad, these life experiences have contributed to who we are today. While we are impacted by these changes, we do have a choices in the path that we take into the future year. I believe that Alex Morritt states it well when he states, “New year, new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story. Ultimately, we write it, the choice is ours.”


As 2024 comes to a close, let’s give some thought to those thing we can truly impact; actions that will not only better serve our needs, but the needs of those around us so that next December 31, we can look back on our year, see how we have changed, and feel proud that we might have possibly touched a life in a positive way. Happy New Year!

Scroll to the bottom to view Community Events

Holiday Service Update

 

City Hall will close at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, and will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, in observance of New Year’s Day.

 

There will be no refuse/recycling collection services on Wednesday, January 1. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday collection services will be postponed by one day. Check the LRS Holiday Schedule for more information here.

Overnight Parking Suspended for Holiday


The City's overnight parking ban will be suspended from Saturday, December 21st at 2:00 a.m. through Thursday, January 2nd at 6:00 a.m. All other parking restrictions will remain in effect.


*NOTE - There is no parking on City streets during a winter weather event - where snow or ice are in excess of 1 inch.

Citizen of the Year Nominations are Due by January 6!


The Citizen of the Year Committee is searching for a very special person who has given of themselves to make Darien a "Nice Place to Live"! If you know of a person who goes "above and beyond the call of duty" ... is always there when someone needs a hand ... and who has contributed to make Darien a special place, please nominate them for this honor!


Nominees must be residents of Darien and not currently serving as an elected official. The deadline for nominations to be considered for the current year is Monday, January 6, 2025. Learn more and make your nominations here.

Celebrate Safely


If you are planning to ring in the New Year with a bottle of bubbly, be careful when popping that cork! Corks can fly at up to 34 mph when released from the bottle and if it comes in contact with an eye, it can cause bleeding, abrasions and even glaucoma. Follow these tips from the American Academy of Ophthalmology to prevent eye injuries during your New Year's Celebration:


Chill the Champagne. Champagne bubbles are filled with gas that expands when warm, chill it first to preserve your eyesight and prevent the bottle from opening unexpectedly.


Don't shake or point the bottle towards anyone. Shaking a bottle of Champagne builds pressure and causes the cork to explode from the bottle at extremely high speed. Hold the bottle at a 45 degree angle—with the base slightly lower than the opening—and point it away from yourself and any bystanders.


Press down on the cork while firmly twisting the bottle. After removing the foil and wire hood, place a towel over the top of the bottle and grasp the cork. Slowly and firmly twist the base of the bottle while holding the cork firmly. Do this until the pressure in the bottle begins to push the cork out naturally. Press down on the cork to prevent it from popping out too quickly.


Handle delicate glasses with care. Toast and clink carefully to avoid breaking the Champagne glasses.


If an injury does occur, see your doctor right away.

Don't Drink and Drive into 2025


Remember to be safe during the New Year holiday by planning ahead if you intend to drink. Don't wait until after drinking to plan how to get somewhere. Make your plan now to either recruit a designated sober driver or call a taxi or rideshare for a sober ride home after the party.


If a friend has been drinking and is considering driving, be proactive — take away their keys and help them get a sober ride home. If anyone spots a drunk driver, contact local law enforcement. Learn more here.

Christmas Tree Collection


LRS collects live Christmas trees during the first two FULL weeks of January at no charge. Trees placed out after that time will require prepayment and prescheduling.

  • Remove all materials from the tree prior to disposal, including ornaments, tinsel, lights etc.
  • Christmas trees cannot be in plastic bags or wrapped in plastic – they will not be collected.
  • All wreaths and roping must be included with normal trash on residents’ normal collection day.
  • Any trees that are over 7ft tall need to be cut in half to have it removed.

Recycle Holiday Lights


Pulling out the Christmas decorations? Don't throw out those old lights! Christmas light recycling through Elgin Recycling will be available outside the Darien Police Department through mid-February.

Employment Opportunity - Part-Time Accounting Clerk


The City is seeking a part-time Accounting Clerk to report to the Director of Finance. The individual in this position will be responsible for processing the bi-weekly, monthly and special payrolls, maintaining employee personnel payroll files, preparing state and federal filings and year-end processing, and more. View the job description here.

City Council Meeting - Canceled


The City Council Meeting scheduled for January 6 has been canceled. See all future meetings on the Community Calendar.

Planning and Zoning Meeting - January 8


The Planning and Zoning Commission's meeting for January 1 has been rescheduled for Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road. The agenda will be posted here.

Be in the Know - Help Spread the Word

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Community News & Events
COMMUNITY EVENTS

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

DYC Volleyball Registration is OPEN for 2024/25 (view flyer): link


Darien Garden Club Meeting - January 6: link


Model Railroad, Plastic Model Kit, & Diecast Swap Meet & Show - January 18: link

Darien Events and Happenings
Check out the City Calendar for information on upcoming meetings and events
Check out the Community Calendar for the news on events from Darien community organizations!

Connect with us!

Mayor Joe Marchese, (630) 200-2390

Bryon Vana, City Administrator,
(630) 353-8114

City Hall (630) 852-5000

Police Department (630) 971-3999


Community Development (630) 353-8115
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