As improbable as it may seem, I lost my sister Janet while I was still mourning the loss of my son Jon. I was on my way to see my doctor, when a phone call from my nephew informed me that his mother had passed early that morning. Amazing how a simple phone call can change your life. All of a sudden, the sister who held my hand on the way home from school, who woke me up on Christmas morning so that we could open our toys, who typed my papers in high school, took the blame for some of my misdeeds and was always there for me whenever I needed her help was taken from our family, leaving a huge void.  

She meant so much to all of us, especially to her son Mike, his wife Julie and their three children, Matt, Josie and Caroline. The mother and grandmother who was always there for them was suddenly gone from their lives. We gathered together following her burial service and watched movies, looked at picture albums and just sat and told stories that put a smile on our faces and tears in our eyes. We celebrated her life as we each spoke as to the meaning she had on our lives, and we silently gave thanks to her spirit above for being there in the good as well as the bad times.

During her life, she fought and beat cancer twice, lost her husband at a young age, and took care of our parents when age and sickness demanded constant attention to their physical needs. She never complained; she was both a “protector” and a “survivor,” up to the day when her battle with her own health issues resulted in her passing. As with the passing of my son, her loss will cause a change in our family, another void, another loved one taken from us. I have always believed that when you have someone in your life that you hold dear, that you take a piece of their love and carry it in your heart. I will always carry a piece of Janet’s love in my heart along with Jon’s and all those who I have loved and lost. I will miss her physical presence, but I will always feel her love for me and for our family.

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2025 Citizen of the Year - John Galan

Our city’s motto is “Darien is a Nice Place to Live” and it takes many people who believe in this adage to make it so. This year, we are honoring John Galan as our 2025 Citizen of the Year.

John and his wife Helen have been residents of Darien for 40 plus years, and have been active in Darien for that same amount of time. John is a proud veteran of the United States Air Force and served as a city alderman from 2005 to 2009. John is most active with the Darien Lions Club. Having been a member for 30 years, he has served as President, in the roles as 1st, 2nd and 3rd Vice President, Tail Twister, Director/Committee Liaison and Past President - and astonishingly, he has had perfect attendance at all Lions meetings for 22 years! Read his full nomination here.

Join the celebration honoring our Citizen of the Year:

Friday, February 28, 2025

Alpine Banquets @ 8230 S Cass Avenue

Cocktails – 6 pm / Dinner – 7 pm

The $52.00 per person cost includes a full 7-course dinner, 3-hours of open bar, music and dancing. For reservations, please contact Diane directly at Darien City Hall at 630-353-8102. Please specify the full names of those attending and if there are specific individuals you wish to be seated with at the event. Learn more.

Shop and Dine Locally for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it! When it comes to planning for this special occasion, consider spreading the love by supporting local shops and restaurants. Find local businesses through the City of Darien's Website and the Darien Chamber of Commerce. Happy Valentine's Day, Darien!

Employment Opportunity -

General Utility Worker

General Utility Worker Class II performs manual labor in the maintenance and repair of City streets, storm sewers and facilities, water mains and appurtenances, and building and grounds. This position is on call, 24-hours per day -seven days per week. View job description here.

Final Call for Recycling Holiday Lights

Don't throw out those old lights, recycle them! Christmas light recycling through Elgin Recycling is still available outside the Darien Police Department through February 9th. Thank you for keeping recyclable goods out of the landfill!

Downers Grove Township Senior Services

Monthly Newsletter

Click here to view the February issue of the Downers Grove Township Senior Services Monthly Newsletter. Catch up on upcoming events, programs, and trips, and learn more about services available to seniors.

Valentine's Balloon Fundraiser for DuPage Care Center Residents

For a $5 donation, community members may send a balloon to a DuPage Care Center resident to spread cheer and warm wishes. In the past, the public sent nearly 1,000 heart-shaped, helium balloons to line the corridors and rooms on Valentine’s Day. Volunteers and staff deliver the balloons to the residents living at the Center, brightening their days, and bringing lots of smiles along the way.

Balloon donations will be accepted until February 13, and may be ordered online through the DuPage Care Center Foundation’s website. Balloons will be delivered on February 14. Funds from the sale of balloons will benefit the Resident Recreation Fund, which provides programs and activities to improve the quality of life of residents living at the Center. Learn more here.

Blood Drive

Save a life by donating blood at the Community Blood Drive on Thursday, February 20, at the Darien-Woodridge Fire Station 89 at 7550 Lyman Ave. You can schedule an appointment by calling 877-258-5825 or visiting Vitalant.org and using group code: ORD0DR98. Walk-ins are welcome. Eat well and hydrate before you donate and bring your ID. All donors will recieve $10 gift card (redeemable online). Donor rewards program opt-in required. View flyer here.

City Council Meeting - February 3

City Council will meet on Monday, February 3, 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 and Zoning Meeting - February 5

The Planning and Zoning Commission's will meet on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road. The agenda will be posted here.

Brush Strokes and Beyond at Skeleton Key Brewery - January 30: link

Darien Garden Club Meeting - February 3: link

Darien Arts Council Meeting (view flyer) - February 9: link

Community Blood Drive - February 20: link

DYC Announcing DYC's Baseball Winter Workouts, Softball Winter Workouts, Spring Soccer, Spring Baseball, and Spring Softball Registrations: link 

Darien Police Weekly Press Release

The Darien Police Department issues a press release each week.