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City of Darien Website

Weekly eNews - November 26, 2024

Mayor's Message

"Give thanks not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day of your life. Appreciate and never take for granted all that you have."

- Catherine Pulsifier


Today and Every day I am Thankful…


I am thankful for the wonderful woman who has been my partner for the last 51 years.


I am thankful for my three sons, their wives and my two beautiful grandchildren.


I am thankful for the wonderful staff of the University of Chicago Hospitals and their wonderful treatment and care of my son Jon and his three year battle with cancer.


I am thankful for the time our family had to share our love with Jon at life’s end, and the opportunity others had to show their love as a result of how Jon touched their lives in such a beautiful and meaningful way.


I am thankful for my good health.


I am thankful for my two sisters who still love me even though I was mom’s favorite.


I am thankful for our great Darien Schools, the Indian Prairie Library and the Darien Park District for their dedication to the education and recreational health of our community.


I am thankful for the Darien Lions, Darien Rotary, Darien Woman’s Club and all the service, civic and social groups that volunteer to meet the needs of our Darien residents.


I am thankful for the people in my life who I call friends, and how they are always there for me and my family.


I am thankful for those I call my “special” friends who provided a shoulder to cry on during our darkest days, and the support and encouragement they offered through those moments when life presented its greatest challenges.


I am thankful for the staff and administration of the City of Darien and how each one of them works so diligently on behalf of our city, and how I can call all of them my friends.


I am thankful for the men and women of the Darien Police Department, and the Darien Woodridge and Tri-State Fire Departments who put their lives on the line each day in order to provide us with the safe community we all enjoy.


I am thankful for the staff of our Public Works Department who work diligently to keep our community in great working order.


I am thankful for our business community and our business owners who run their businesses in the best interest of our residents.


I am thankful for having the trust and confidence of the residents of the city in my role as Mayor of Darien.


I am thankful for the contributions of all of our Darien residents who by their devotion to our community have demonstrated why Darien is “A Nice Place to Live.”

Scroll to the bottom to view Community Events

Holiday Service Update


City Hall will close at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27, and remain closed on Thursday and Friday, November 28 and 29, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.


Refuse/Recycling Collection services on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday will NOT be postponed. Thursday and Friday collection service will be postponed by one day.

Overnight Parking Ban Suspended for Holiday


The City's overnight parking ban will be suspended from Wednesday, November 27 at 2:00 a.m. to Monday, December 2 at 6:00 a.m. All other parking restrictions will remain in effect.

Hinsdale Township High School District 86 Community Gathering


Mayor Joseph Marchese and Chief Greg Thomas participated in the Community Gathering on Safety in Our School Community at Hinsdale South on Monday, November 25th. If you were unable to attend, you can view the video here. The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our top priority!

Storing Thanksgiving Leftovers


One of the best parts of Thanksgiving is the leftovers! Make sure your delicious leftovers remain safe to consume by following these FoodSafety.gov guidelines:


Remember the Two-Hour Rule: All perishable items should be refrigerated within two hours of coming out of the oven or refrigerator. After two hours, perishable food enters the Danger Zone (between 40°F to 140°F) where bacteria can multiply quickly and cause the food to become unsafe. If foods have been left out for more than two hours, discard items to prevent foodborne illness. Exception to the two-hour rule, if the food is exposed to temperatures above 90°F (like a hot car), refrigerate it within 1 hour.


Use Small and Shallow Containers: Store leftover food in small, shallow containers in the refrigerator until the Monday after Thanksgiving Day or in the freezer for later use. Shallow containers help cool leftovers more quickly than storing them in large containers.


Freeze or Consume Within Four Days: Use the Monday after Thanksgiving as a reminder that it is the last day you can safely eat leftovers. If you want to keep leftovers longer, freeze them within that four-day period to enjoy later. Frozen food stays safe indefinitely, though the quality may decrease over time. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within two to six months. Reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).


Microwave Food Safely: When reheating in the microwave, cover and rotate the food for even heating. Arrange food items evenly in a covered microwave safe glass or ceramic dish and add some liquid if needed. Because microwaves have cold spots, check the internal temperature of the food in several places with a food thermometer after allowing a resting time. Cooking continues for a longer time in dense foods such as a whole turkey or beef roast than in less dense foods like breads, small vegetables and fruits.

Shop Local and Shop Small


This weekend, let's make a big impact by shopping locally and shopping small. Black Friday and Small Business Saturday are the perfect opportunities to support the local businesses that make our community unique!


Let's celebrate the businesses that call The City of Darien and DuPage County home! Click here to find local businesses.

Darien Lions Holiday Food Basket Program


Spread the joy this season by supporting the Darien Lions' 2024 Holiday Food Basket Program. This program provides food to over 300 area families and will also provide gifts for families with children under the age of 12. Donations can be made using the PayPal information or QR code in the flyer below or by mail to:


Darien Lions Club Foundation

1701 Plainfield Rd

Darien, IL 60561

Citizen of the Year Nominations are Open


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.

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.

City Council Meeting - December 2


The City Council meeting scheduled for Monday December 2, 2024 has been cancelled.

Planning and Zoning Meeting - December 4


The Planning and Zoning Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 4, 2024 has been cancelled.

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.
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


DYC Soccer Registration is OPEN for 2024/25: link


Darien Woman’s Club Fall Member Registration is now OPEN: 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
Visit the City of Darien's website for information on City services.
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