Condos Next Door? Darien Mayor Warns Of Possibility

The mayor railed against a state bill that would remove local zoning powers.

By David Giuliani, Patch Staff

May 5, 2026 8:26 am CDT | Updated May 5, 2026 8:29 am CDT

Darien Mayor Joseph Marchese on Monday said state legislation would remove many local zoning powers. He called it a "one-size-fits-all" approach. (City of Darien/via video)

DARIEN, IL – Officials in Darien and other towns are warning about state legislation that they said would allow apartments and condos next to houses.

Elmhurst's mayor calls the bill "radical" and "dangerous." And La Grange's attorney says towns would lose almost all of their powers over many residential developments.

Under the legislation, developers would have the right to build residential complexes of up to eight units on many lots.

At Monday's Darien City Council meeting, Mayor Joseph Marchese said the bill is the most significant to come out of Springfield for years. And he suggested a major special interest may get its way because of political contributions.

The bill, Marchese said, would introduce a "one-size-fits-all" approach, ignoring local needs.

"Imagine your neighbors sell their home next door to you, and the developer comes in, demolishes the house, and builds a four-story condo complex," the mayor said.

The bill's goal is to increase the supply of affordable housing because many complain about a lack of it – a problem that Marchese acknowledged existed.

He cautioned that the Illinois Realtors Association, which is for the legislation, is donating to legislators' campaigns. Such money, he said, "convinces a lot of politicians to vote the way they vote."

In recent years, existing homeowners have enjoyed the surge in their home values. But the rising values often price out young families and older residents, particularly in wealthy towns such as Darien.

Residents in Darien and other suburbs often oppose multi-family housing near their single-family houses.

Last year, the City Council approved a 156-unit, four-story apartment complex as part of the Chestnut Court shopping center, despite many residents' opposition. The developer later dropped the plan.

In 2021, the council signed off on a 70-unit, four-story apartment complex in southwest Darien. The proposal sparked an emotional debate, with some supporters saying the opposition came off as racist and classist.