'Hope for Hunter' fundraiser planned July 8

Event will benefit Hunter Himes, who was critically injured while riding his bike in February.

Here We Go Again: County Encourages Residents to Prepare for Excessive Heat

As temperatures are expected to reach the high 90s and even the 100s through the remainder of the week, DuPage County encourages residents to take additional steps to stay safe during the holiday.

What’s Closed on Independence Day?

Here’s a list of some of the local facilities that will be closed on July Fourth.

County Referendum on Dual Elected Duty will be on November Ballot

Referendum is advisory; DuPage Chairman Dan Cronin says County Board duties require "undivided focus."

Keep Cool, Stay Safe During Predicted Heat Wave

With temperatures expected to exceed 100 degrees this week, officials at the DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management encourage residents to be prepared.

DuPage Chairman Dan Cronin will Ask County Board to Approve Referendum on Dual Elected Duty

Cronin will bring the issue to the board for approval on Tuesday.

How Will the State's Cigarette Tax Hike Affect You?

The cost to buy a pack of cigarettes goes up in Illinois as a new tax increase on cigarettes goes into effect. Will this change your habits? Tell us what you think.

June Brush Pickup Starts Monday

Make sure all of your brush is at the curb by Sunday night.

Restaurant Gets Preliminary Approval on $300K Economic Incentive

The city will complete up to $300,000 in parking lot renovations on behalf of Chuck's Southern Comforts Café, which plans to buy the old Cornerstone Restaurant.

Mayor Honors Teens Who Spotted House Fire

The three girls were walking down Plainfield Road when they saw the flames and alerted the homeowner to the fire.

Southern Café Seeks $300K Incentive to Open Darien Location

Chuck’s Southern Comforts Café, whose Burbank, IL, flagship was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, wants to purchase and remodel the old Cornerstone Restaurant building.

23 Facts About Flag Day

Did you know these tidbits and historical dates?

Moody’s Assigns City of Darien Aa2 Bond Rating

The rating means the city is in a “solid financial position,” according to advisors Speer Financial.

Live Updates: 2012 Illinois Republican Convention

Illinois Republicans will choose a platform for the next four years during the party convention in Tinley Park. Patch editors live blog the proceedings.

Madigan Drops Plan to Shift Pension Costs to School Districts

Under pressure from Illinois Republicans and Gov. Pat Quinn, House Speaker Michael Madigan announced he's dropping his proposal to shift teacher pension costs to local school districts.

Illinois Lawmakers at Odds with Madigan over Proposed Pension Shift

A plan to shift the cost of teacher pensions from the state to local school districts became the most hotly debated topic in Springfield on Tuesday.

Darien Street Repaving for the Week of May 29

Homeowners can expect to see crews on these streets this week.

City Council Takes Closer Look at Long-Term Financial Planning

The Committee-of-the-Whole met Monday to discuss funding for future capital projects.

Walmart Says No to Limiting Truck Exit Points from Darien Towne Center

The store refused to restrict its trucks to exiting from only the west side because they said no other stores in the strip mall faced such a rule.

City Clarifies Walmart Economic Incentive Payment Terms

The council voted on a document Monday that outlines how exactly the city will pay out the sales tax rebate that aids in the Darien Walmart's expansion into a Super Walmart.

Darien Street Repaving for the Week of May 21 & 29

Homeowners can expect to see road crews on these streets this week.

Parking Space Dimensions Spur Debate at Walmart Zoning Hearing

Developers want to reduce the size of spots in the Darien Towne Center lot from 10-feet wide in some places to 9.5 feet in front of the new Walmart store.

SURVIVING NATO: Your Guide to Local Road Closures and Transportation Restrictions

Metra commuters are looking at a different experience, between station closures and airport-style security restrictions. Use the convenient resources of Patch to plan your commute during NATO week, especially through the summit.

Darien Street Resurfacing Begins Monday (Interactive Map)

The city plans to repave 4.9 miles of road this year.

Council Approves Zoning Variations for Microwave Tower by 6-1 Vote

A lengthy debate about the tower's potential impact on neighboring residents preceded the vote.

Mayor Weaver Set to Reappoint Senior City Leadership

Police Chief Ernest Brown and Municipal Services Director Dan Gombac are each getting 2 percent raises this year, while City Administrator Bryon Vana's compensation is yet to be determined.

City Mulls Several Crossing Guard Staffing Options

Members of the Police Committee said Thursday it was premature to make a recommendation.

City Considers Outsourcing Crossing Guard Positions

Andy Frain Services could assume responsibility for hiring, training, supervising and scheduling Darien's three part-time crossing guard positions, according to a city memo.

The City of Darien is Hiring

Municipal Services is looking for a general utility worker.

DuPage Election Commission Chairman Rick Carney Steps Down

Carney resigned at the request of County Board Chairman Dan Cronin, following a report that concluded the commission practiced poor ethics and procurement procedures.

Argonne Highlights Sustainability Research during Earth Day Fair

Scientists from across the lab showcased environmentally conscious technologies that might soon find their way into daily life.

City Puts Four Conditions on 180-Foot Tower Permit Approval

The Municipal Services Committee recommended that City Council approve the tower permits at its next meeting, pending the property owner's written commitment to meet the conditions.

Ditch Projects on Poplar and Bentley Move Forward

City Council voted to complete ditch repairs this year on the two streets that also were slated for repaving.

City Council-Approved Bid Could Cut Electric Bills by a Third

The council voted to select Direct Energy as its residential electricity supplier with a two-year contract that promises a rate of 4.54 cents per kilowatt-hour.

It's Tax Day! (VIDEO)

Tax day came two days later than normal this year, but it's finally here.

First Chance: Darien Launches Official City Facebook Page

Be among the first to "Like" the city's Facebook page.

County Decides Against Building Cass Avenue Median

The county conducted a traffic study after Brookhaven Plaza shop owners said the median would be a business killer.

City Council to Reconsider Ditch Repairs Along Poplar and Bentley

Two of the five ditch projects voted down last week will get a second chance at the next City Council meeting.

Two Ditch Projects Could be Back on the Table

The Administrative/Finance Committee will discuss Monday whether the city should pursue repairs on ditches along Poplar and Bentley.

Divided Council Approves Budget, Nixes Ditch Projects

Several aldermen continued to express misgivings about the effect of annual ditch projects on the city budget.