Community Corner
đ± Patch AM: Whoâs taking over as Darienâs new police chief this fall?
Be sure to catch Grace Lutheran Church Annual Rummage Sale on the Darien Patch calendar

Hello Darien! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Who's taking over as Darien's new police chief this fall?
- Why Darien's police pension may miss its 2040 funding goal
- Darien police detail Taco Bell DUI arrest and McDonald's vandalism
Also on today's calendar: Grace Lutheran Church Annual Rummage Sale and 13 more events.
Today's riddle: I'm a rock group with 4 members; one member was assassinated. What am I? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: Warm with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 84 and low of 65 degrees.
- Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 81, low: 63.
- Sunday: Partly sunny and less humid, with a high of 79 and low of 61 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• 'Dream Team' To Lead Darien Police Department: Chief (patch.com) — Darien residents will see a change at the top of their police department, with Deputy Chief of Operations Austin Jump unanimously approved by the City Council to become chief in mid-November as Greg Thomas retires. City leaders praised a "dream team" of incoming and current deputy chiefs and emphasized continuing strong community relationships and daily efforts to earn residents' trust.
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• Darien Cop Pension Numbers Likely 'Far-Fetched': City Expert (patch.com) — Darien's long-running struggle to fully fund its police pension system continues, with the account still around 60 percent funded despite years of effort. City officials and their actuary discussed a steep $17 million payment projection, questioned whether the 2040 full-funding target is realistic, and weighed using more reality-based assumptions while keeping comparisons with other Illinois towns meaningful.
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• Darien Taco Bell Drive-Thru Sleeper Charged With DUI, Other Offenses (patch.com) — Darien police recently responded to a late-night incident at the Taco Bell on Cass Avenue, where a man allegedly fell asleep in the drive-thru, sped off, and was later arrested on DUI and related charges. Officers also investigated youths covering a car with shaving cream at the Plainfield Road McDonald's, causing staining damage to several areas of the vehicle.
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📸 Around Darien
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Darien
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Grace Lutheran Church Annual Rummage Sale →
212 S Nolton Ave, Willow Springs
9:00 am - Healing Field →
Sports Core Soccer Fields, 700 Oak Brook Rd., Oak Brook, IL 60523,
6:00 pm - Veterans' Coffee Clutch →
VFW Tent, 801 Plainfield Rd, Darien
8:00 am - Fall Acting Workshop Intensive →
LATTE Theater (Conservatory for Young Adult Creatives), 9008 Fairview Ave, Brookfield
9:45 am - Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival →
Downtown Downers Grove, Downers Grove
10:00 am - "Melodies and Memories" Show Will Bring Barbershop Champion Groups to Naperville →
Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E Gartner Rd, Naperville
3:00 pm - Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival →
Downtown Downers Grove, Downers Grove
10:00 am - Hot Ghoul Summer Market →
Noon Whistle Brewing, 1748 W Jefferson Ave, Naperville
12:00 pm
Friday September 11
Saturday September 12
Sunday September 13
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- HUGE Church Rummage Sale! →
725 75th St, Darien
8:00 am - 9/11 Silent Parade →
Darien Swim Club, 1001 Hinsbrook Ave, Darien
6:30 pm - 25th Anniversary Silent Parade →
71st Street, Clarendon Hills Rd, Darien
6:30 pm - Three Things You Can Do in Your Backyard for Birds →
St. John Lutheran Church (7214 Cass Avenue, Darien, Il 60561)
6:30 pm - Garden Harvest & Garden Potluck Party - DGC Sprouts Youth Garden Club →
St. John Lutheran Church, 7214 Cass Avenue, Darien, IL 60561
5:00 pm - Fall Carnival →
Chestnut Court, 7511 Lemont Rd, Darien
5:00 pm - Fall Carnival →
Chestnut Court Shopping Center, 7511 Lemont Rd, Darien
5:00 pm - First Congregational Church of Downers Grove Garage Sale →
1047 Curtiss St, Downers Grove
8:00 am
Friday September 11
Monday September 14
Wednesday September 23
Friday September 25
Saturday September 26
📣 Darien Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Darien PatchAM possible:
- Affirm Behavioral Health, PLLC — 7089901174
- Carmelite Campus in Darien — (800) 647-1430
- Father and Sons Plumbing and Drain Cleaning LLC — (630) 822-4443
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
🪧 Patch Classifieds
- The Addams Little Ghouls Offers Musical Theatre for Ages 5–7
WESTMONT, IL — Young performers ages 5–7 can take the stage this fall with The Addams Little Ghouls, a special musical theatre ensemble at the... (More info)
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Mammogram or o breast ultrasound?
Do you believe mammos cause more harm than good? Seems like more women are doing ultrasounds? Which one do you prefer? I wanted an ultrasound but Dr… (Nextdoor Hinswood)
- Creative Financial Staffing posted a job opening for Accounts Receivable & Billing Coordinator in Willowbrook. Apply here.
- Home Run Inn, Inc. posted a job opening for Offsite Inventory Specialist in Woodridge. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Darien here.
🗞 Nearby News
Woodridge
- Junior level Electrical/Hardware Project Manager - Spear Staffing - Hybrid in Woodridge, IL, US (dice.com)
- School administrators earned 85.4% higher than teachers in Gower School District 62 in 2024-25 (dupagepolicyjournal.com)
- Canoe Dig It? (silentsportsmagazine.com)
Westmont
- Avaya Kittling-Turner scores 4 TDs, keeps Oswego East perfect: Wednesday's Record Newspapers sports roundup (shawlocal.com)
Downers Grove
- Dutch Bros. Development Gets Green Light From Downers Grove Village Council (patch.com)
- Downers Grove typewriter repair shop finds the keys to success (shawlocal.com)
Ok Darien! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Mount Rushmore (Thank you J.J. W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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