Darien Direct Connect E-Newsletter: June 20, 2024

The following email provides timely information on news and services

from the City of Darien.

City of Darien Website

Weekly eNews - June 20, 2024

Mayor's Message

“Maybe I cannot stop the downpour, but I will always accompany you for a walk in the rain.”

- Unknown

There are many of us who go through periods of sadness in our lives; some do so in private while for others, their sadness is visible to all around them. The question then becomes, how do those of us respond when we encounter an individual who is experiencing a downturn in their lives? Some may walk away, feeling incapable of helping the individual who is hurting, while others might attempt to find a level of intervention or connection that they hope will assure that individual that they are there for them.

When I was in church one Sunday, a friend came up to me when the service was over, and asked me if I was alright. He noted that he sensed something was wrong, and wanted me to know he was there for me. His words brought on a rush of emotion since I was dealing with a family health issue. I shared my feelings with him briefly, and I could see that he was moved by my words. Our conversation ended with him assuring me that he would keep us in his prayers. As I left church, I marveled over the fact that he had sensed something was wrong and took the time to inquire as to my well-being. I walked away feeling encouraged by the fact that someone took the time to let me know that they were there for me.

We come into contact with a number of individuals during the course of our day, and many of them might be in a position or state of mind where, if we took a minute to check, we might find that a kind word or an expression of concern might assist them in making it through their day. We don’t have to be therapists to others; we only need to be humans who see the need to treat others humanely. Give some thought to how you interact with someone experiencing a difficult time. Do you walk away, or do you put your hand on their shoulder, and let them know that “Maybe I cannot stop the downpour, but I will always accompany you for a walk in the rain.”

Branch Pickup - June 24 - 28

The next public works Branch Pickup will occur this coming week, June 24 through June 28. The City’s Public Works Branch Pickup Program is free for all single-family homes and provides for the collection and disposal of branches from residential properties. Please stack the branches neatly by the curb on the Sunday before the pickup week. The chipper can accept branches up to 6” in diameter. Learn more here.

As a reminder, LRS, the City’s refuse/recycling/yard waste collection company, will also pick up limbs, branches, or other loose items (bundled) that do not exceed four (4) feet in length and fifty (50) pounds in weight. This service is available from April 1st through the second full week in December on your regular pickup day. Branches must be no more than four (4) inches in diameter, with the total diameter of the bundle not to exceed twenty-four (24) inches. For more information click here.

The Summer Concert Series Starts June 27!

We have a great lineup for our summer concert series this year at Westwood Park! Mark your calendar for these dates for a great summer activity that the whole family can enjoy.

A Special Announcement from Mayor Marchese

Come join Mayors Helping Mayors (MHM) at the tornado disaster Friendraiser on June 26 to benefit our neighbors after an EF-3 tornado hit Woodridge hard and caused disastrous impacts on June 20, 2021.

MHM was started to help make a difference to our neighbors in Woodridge. Mayor Frank Trilla (Willowbrook) and I reached out to Woodridge Mayor Gina Cunningham to help and together we created this tornado disaster Friendraiser. See below for details or click here to learn more.

Summer Volunteer Opportunities

Are you looking for ways to give back to the community this summer? Find the perfect opportunity for you, your teen, or your whole family by using the Giving DuPage Volunteer Portal. You can filter by the type of opportunity you want, the age of the volunteers, and more - making it easy to find a great fit. You can make a huge difference to your neighbors in DuPage by volunteering!

Pet Clinic for Senior Citizens

The DuPage Senior Citizens Council, in partnership with Hinsdale Humane Society, is hosting a clinic for seniors’ pets on Saturday, June 29. The first 200 pets to arrive will be offered rabies vaccines, microchips, pet food, and more! The event will be in the DSCC parking lot at 1990 Springer Drive Lombard, IL 60148. Learn more here or by calling 630-620-0804.

Cooling Centers in DuPage County

If you don't have air conditioning and need to cool off, you can find cooling centers through the DuPage Community Resource Information System (CRIS). The CRIS provides a listing of locations by zip code: click here. And remember that Indian Prairie Library, located at 401 Plainfield Road, serves as a cooling center during its hours of operation. Stay hydrated and cool during these hot days and remember to check on your neighbors and loved ones.

Road Rehab Program

Road rehab work for the City of Darien has begun and will continue through the beginning of June. Check out the schedule here.

North Frontage Road Westbound at Cass Avenue Road Closure

The Illinois Department of Transportation has contracted Martam Construction for the curve correction on the I-55 North Frontage Road at Cass Avenue within the City of Darien in DuPage County. The project is underway and is expected to continue through August 30, 2024. The existing informational signs will be revised. Learn more about the road closures and detours here.

National Safety Month

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in four older adults report a fall each year. Check your space and get started by removing clutter, providing good lighting in dark rooms and hallways, and cleaning up spills right away. Use this checklist to review all the ways you can reduce hazards and protect yourself and your loved ones from slips and falls.

Online Portal – Property Maintenance Concerns

Residents can now submit their property maintenance concerns on the City’s new online site, OpenGov. This streamlined site allows users a way to submit their property maintenance concerns, commonly referred to as property maintenance violations. In order to access the portal, please visit the City’s website.

Get Emergency Alerts from the Darien Police Department

In our continuing effort to keep Darien residents informed, the Darien Police Department is introducing Emergency Notifications via text. Please visit our Direct Connect Signup page and provide your cell phone number to receive text notifications in case of an emergency. These texts will be sent at any time (day and night) when an incident within the City may impact the community (e.g. police activity, accidents where there are road closures, etc.). There is no cost to sign up for this service. The Police Department will continue to use X/Twitter for non-urgent notifications.

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.