Darien Direct Connect E-Newsletter: October 29, 2026

The following email provides timely information on news and services

from the City of Darien.

Weekly eNews - October 29, 2026

Mayor's Message

Every so often, I think it is important for each of us to pause, step away from the distractions of our lives, and ask ourselves a simple but very meaningful question: “What, in your life, do you value more than anything else?”

At first, that question might seem easy to answer. But if we take a moment to truly reflect on it, we may discover that the answer tells us a great deal about who we are, what we believe in, and what gives our life meaning.

For some, the answer might be family, the love of a spouse, the joy of raising children, the happiness of watching grandchildren grow, or the comfort of knowing that loved ones are always there when they are needed. For others, it might be their faith, their health, the friendships they have developed over the year, or the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Some may value the freedom to pursue their dreams, the satisfaction of a job well done, or the simple blessing of living a peaceful and fulfilling life.

Scroll to the bottom to view Community Events

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is this Saturday, October 31. The City does not have established trick-or-treating hours but recommends trick-or-treating during daylight hours. We suggest residents turn off their outdoor house light when they are finished giving out candy for the night. That will help the trick-of-treaters know to skip your house. The National Safety Council has great suggestions to keep Halloween safe and fun for you and your family:

A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds.
If your older children are going alone, plan and review a route acceptable to you.
Agree on a specific time children should return home.
Teach your children never to enter a stranger's home or car.
Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends.
Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home, and take care to avoid any food allergies.

The Darien Lions Club Halloween Party

The Darien Lions Club invites the Darien area youths to attend their annual Halloween Party at the Darien Sportsplex on Halloween night, October 31, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Each year more than 1,000 children and 250 ice skaters come out and enjoy a safe and fun-filled Halloween evening, complete with their famous "graveyard," games, a magician, and entertainment galore. This event is free and you can find more details here.

City Council Meeting - November 2

City Council will meet on Monday, November 2, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road. The agenda will be posted here.

Planning, Zoning & Economic Development Meeting - November 4

The Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Commission will meet on Wednesday, November 4, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road. The agenda will be posted here.

Officer Luke Somogye Promoted to the Rank of Sergeant

The Darien Police Department is proud to announce the promotion of Officer Luke Somogye to the rank of Sergeant, effective October 10, 2026.

Sergeant Somogye joined the Darien Police Department on September 25, 2015. Throughout his 11 years of service, he has served as a patrol officer, field training officer, evidence technician, and juvenile officer. He also serves as Assistant Team Leader with the DuPage County MERIT SWAT team. In addition, he instructs officers in firearms, high-risk vehicle stops, rescue task force operations, and rapid deployment. Read more.

Please join us in congratulating Sergeant Somogye on this well-deserved promotion and wishing him continued success in his new role!

November 3rd General Election

The general election is coming up on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Check your voter registration status, find your polling place, and get a sample ballot using DuPage County's Voter Lookup Tool. If you still need to register, check out Illinois' Grace Period Registration and Voting options.

Early Voting is still underway! Find an early voting location here and give yourself peace of mind on election day by casting your ballot ahead of time.

Political Signs Guidelines

Political campaign signs and other temporary signs are not permitted on City property. They must be placed on your private property or they will be removed and disposed of by the City.

Signs cannot be placed in the public right-of-way, which includes:

Roadways
Parkways (the area between the street and sidewalk)
The area between a ditch and road
10-15 feet from the street on streets with no sidewalk

Please note that 75th Street, Cass Avenue and Plainfield Road are DuPage County-owned roads. The County does not prohibit election signs on their roads.

Darien Businesses of the Week

In an effort to further promote and assist our local businesses, Mayor Marchese, the Darien City Council, and the Darien Business Alliance are proud to present: The Darien Business of the Week!

Power Printing

737 Plainfield Rd, Store 1

708-218-7071; powerprintingusa.com

Bua Thai Kitchen

737 Plainfield Rd, Ste 6

buathaidarien.com

Fall Back as Daylight Saving Time Ends - November 1

Daylight saving time ends this Sunday, November 1. Enjoy the extra hour and be sure to use a few of those extra minutes to test every smoke alarm in your home.

The American Red Cross recommends testing smoke alarms once a month and replacing alarms that are 10 years old or older. You should also practice your home fire escape plan at least twice a year.

Keep Leaves out of Storm Drains

Storm drains are the open grates found along the edges of our streets and in some of our local parkways. Our storm sewers drain to local lakes, streams, and rivers. Anything going into the storm drains eventually winds up in our local ponds and streams, which is why it is important not to dump anything down the storm drain.

If there is a storm drain near your home, please help take care of it throughout the year and especially during this particularly leafy season. While the City does have all streets swept with a commercial street sweeper, leaves and other debris can quickly clog the storm drain, preventing water from entering. This causes local flooding, which creates nuisances for you and your neighbors. Help clear away materials that may clog the storm water intake and keep the curb in front of your house free of debris that could be washed down toward the storm drain.

Thank you for your efforts to keep the water flowing and to ensure our rivers and ponds stay healthy!

Veterans Day Ceremony

The Darien VFW Post 2838 will be honoring ALL veterans on Wednesday, November 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Darien Community Park. You are invited to join the ceremony to recognize and honor all who have served. View the flyer here.

Originally called “Armistice Day” to commemorate the end of WWI in 1918, Veterans Day was renamed, in 1954 to honor all U.S. Military veterans. This special holiday honors, thanks, and celebrates all veterans for their brave willingness to serve and sacrifice for their country, their patriotism, and our freedom.

Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Historic Route 66

Take a trip down memory lane! Join the Darien Woman’s Club on Wednesday, November 4, as they celebrate the 100th anniversary of historic Route 66. Hear one woman’s fascinating adventure exploring the legendary Mother Road! Bring a friend, discover the adventure, and enjoy a fun evening. Guests are always welcome!

Event Details: 📍 Alpine Banquets, 8230 S. Cass Ave., Darien 🕕 Doors open at 6:00 PM | Program begins at 6:30 PM

Hinsdale South High School Presents -
Shrek the Musical

The Hinsdale South High School Fine Arts Department proudly presents Shrek the Musical! Join us for a hilarious, heartwarming production filled with unforgettable characters, music and plenty of laughs!

Event Details:

📅 November 19 - 22, 2026

🎭 Thursday - Saturday at 7 p.m. | Sunday at 2 p.m.

📍 Hinsdale South High School Auditorium

🎟️ Tickets: $20 for adults & $10 for students | Purchase tickets online here or by using the QR code on the flyer. Tickets will also be available at the door one hour before showtime.

Support Hinsdale South While Getting Your Garbage & Recycling Cans Cleaned!

Get your garbage and recycling cans professionally cleaned and sanitized before the cold weather hits! EcoCleanCan comes to your curb the day after your scheduled garbage pickup and leaves your cans clean, sanitized, and fresh. Book your cleaning before October 31, and EcoCleanCan will donate 20% back to the Hinsdale South Booster Club!

Visit ecocleancan.com/pricing to book your service, and be sure to use promo code HINSDALESOUTH26 at checkout. It's an easy way to freshen up your cans while supporting Hinsdale South students and activities. Thank you to EcoCleanCan for supporting our school community!

Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting

Mark your calendars for our community's annual Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting on November 15 at the Darien Historical Society. We hope you'll join us from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for photos with Santa, story time with IPPL, holiday crafts, hot chocolate, caroling, and more! If you would like to donate new, unwrapped toys this holiday season, the Darien Lions Toy Drive will be collecting donations at the event.

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