The following email provides timely information on news and services
from the City of Darien.
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Weekly eNews - January 16, 2025 | |
Darien lost one of its heroes last week. Patrick John Gillespie or “Pat,” was an individual who lived his life, as Barry Posner and James Kouzes would say, “as if it mattered.” Pat Gillespie played a number of roles in the early history of Darien, and he continued to have an impact on our city in his later years as a role model for many of us who sought leadership roles within the city.
I came to know Pat back in the late 1980’s, when I first moved to Darien and involved myself in city activities. Pat was serving as an alderman on our city council during a time when there was a significant amount of tension between the mayor and members of the city council. What I remember most about Pat Gillespie was his level headedness, and his ability to look past the tension that existed and work to achieve that which would best serve the city. While I might not have always agreed with him, I appreciated and respected his ability to bring people together for the good of the city.
Pat Gillespie not only served eight years on our city council, he was a fifty year member of the Darien Lions Club, and an active member of the Chicago Lawn Sertoma for fifty six years. A quote from his obituary captures Pat’s view on service to his community, when it states, “his civic engagement was a testament to his belief in giving back to the community that had given him so much.” Pat took great pride in his commitment to the City of Darien and Darien acknowledged his efforts by naming him a Citizen of the Year in 1999. Pat played a role in the development of several of our Darien institutions, notably, our Police Station, the Indian Prairie Library (he served on the Board), and several landmarks that will serve as lasting tributes to his commitment to our city.
Pat’s contributions to our city go beyond that which resulted in programs or buildings, Pat along with his wife Joan built a life of joy and happiness for their family here in Darien. They raised three children, Patrick, Brian, and Shari Gillespie; the family has grown to include five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Pat was a loving patriarch whose family leadership serves as an example of his true love of family.
I mentioned at the beginning, that Darien lost a hero, and some may question my use of that word to describe Pat Gillespie. I chose that term because I feel that Patrick Gillespie could best be described as a role model to others, as a community leader. As Mahatma Gandhi states, “A true hero is not defined by their strength, but by their ability to inspire and lead others.” During his 91 years, Pat Gillespie was an individual who not only worked to better his community, he had the ability to get others to join him on that journey. Thank you Pat for your love of our city.
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Scroll to the bottom to view Community Events | |
Darien Recieves a Morton Arboretum CRTI Grant
The City of Darien has been awarded a $100,000 subgrant by The Morton Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) to improve its community tree canopy.
The competitive subgrant is among nearly 40 provided to nonprofits, government entities, and other eligible groups in communities that meet federal guidelines as disadvantaged areas through federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
“The City of Darien is proud to participate in CRTI’s goal to improve community tree canopy,” said Joseph Marchese, Mayor of Darien. “Planting new trees in our community will provide countless environmental benefits, such as lowered surface temperatures, storm water management and a reduction in air and soil pollution.”
Through this subgrant, The City of Darien will plant 75 to 100 new trees in specific disadvantaged areas of the community by the end of Fall 2026. Various projects funded through the CRTI sub-grants include tree planting and the formation of tree inventory and management plans, in both urban and rural areas, to help increase efficiency and proactiveness in community forestry, as well as support local economies and businesses through improved infrastructure and workforce development.
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
MLK Day is Monday, January 20. The act of giving back is one of the most powerful gifts you can give your community. On the 30th anniversary of MLK Day, commit to making a difference in your community. Serving on MLK Day can be an entry point to a lifetime of fulfillment, gratitude, and advocacy for change.
Build connections and friendships that you can carry with you for years to come through service. Find volunteer opportunities through AmeriCorps or Giving DuPage and start making a difference this January!
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Vehicle Stickers
2025 vehicle stickers are available at both City Hall and the Police Department for a $3 donation. Vehicle stickers are not required by the City, they are offered each year by community service organizations as a fundraiser for the organization.
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Snow Removal Procedure
The City of Darien follows a priority based system for plowing streets. High traffic arterial streets are plowed first, and if necessary, replowed until they are safe and passable. At that time, lower traffic collector streets are plowed. When both arterial and collector streets are safe and passable, the plows begin work on residential streets and cul-de-sacs. It takes approximately four hours to plow all of the city’s streets once. Consequently, during heavy, ongoing snow, it could take several hours to get to an individual, residential street. Once all streets are open and passable, the City begins addressing other snow concerns, including cutting down large piles of snow at intersections which might create sight distance problems. Finally, after all the street work is complete, the City’s crews begin work clearing sidewalks along Plainfield Road, Cass Avenue and 75th Street.
Please keep in mind that Plainfield Road, Cass Avenue and 75th street are DuPage County roads and are not plowed by the City of Darien.
In order to plow streets efficiently, there is no parking on City streets during a winter event where snow or ice exceeds one inch.
During plowing operations, the City’s priority is getting snow off the streets to allow movement of traffic. Unfortunately, during the plowing process, snow will be pushed onto curbs and driveways. As a result, snow banks become higher and driveways can become filled with snow, an unavoidable process. Please do not push snow out onto the roadway or approach a snow plow to prevent snow from being pushed into the driveway. Both of these actions are dangerous. If possible, residents are encouraged to shovel several times throughout a heavy snow period to prevent snow filled driveways. Your patience and cooperation are appreciated.
If at any time you have an emergency that requires you to leave your home and you cannot do so because of snow, please dial 9-1-1.
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Please Pick Up Your Pet's Waste
This is a friendly reminder to please pick up after your dog. Besides being unsightly and smelly, animal waste can be hazardous to the health of our children who play in the community and to other pets. One of the most common forms of disease transmission between dogs is through fecal matter. Always take a baggie along on every walk to pick up your dog's waste immediately and dispose of it properly. If you are spotted not cleaning up after your pet, you may be fined for a violation of Darien’s public nuisance code.
Everyone can contribute to the beauty of our community by doing small things, like picking up pet waste, disposing of litter appropriately, and sharing kind words with a neighbor. Thank you for your cooperation!
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Recycle Holiday Lights
Putting away all the Christmas decorations this weekend? Don't throw out those old lights!
Christmas light recycling through Elgin Recycling will be available outside the Darien Police Department through mid-February.
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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.
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City Council Meeting - January 20
City Council will meet on January 20, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road. The agenda will be posted here.
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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.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
Click on the links below for more information on these upcoming community events!
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Model Railroad, Plastic Model Kit, & Diecast Swap Meet & Show - January 18: link
DGC Sprouts: All About Chocolate (and Vanilla)! - January 22: link
Brush Strokes and Beyond at Skeleton Key Brewery - January 29 & 30: link
DYC Announcing DYC's Baseball Winter Workouts, Softball Winter Workouts, Spring Soccer, Spring Baseball, and Spring Softball Registrations: link
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Darien Events and Happenings | |
Check out the City Calendar for information on upcoming meetings and events
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Check out the Community Calendar for the news on events from Darien community organizations!
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Darien Police Weekly Press Release
The Darien Police Department issues a press release each week.
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(630) 353-8114
City Hall (630) 852-5000
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Visit the City of Darien's website for information on City services.
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