'Unlawful' Darien Area Annexation Alleged

DARIEN, IL – A sign in a local neighborhood expressed fear that Darien and two other towns planned to carve up an area for annexation.

Officials from Darien, Westmont and Willowbrook said no such plan for annexation is taking place.

The handwritten sign accuses three "shady" mayors of dividing up the area.

"Stop the unlawful annex," it said.

The area is identified as between 55th and 63rd streets, which is largely unincorporated.

The sign advertised a Darien Plan Commission meeting on May 7 as a time to discuss the issue. Nothing has come up on Darien's recent meeting agendas about annexation.

In response to Patch's email, Darien Administrator Bryon Vana said no such plan is being considered.

He said only one thing came to mind that may have prompted the sign.

He said the towns have a boundary agreement for the general area in question, which he said was standard practice for municipalities.

Such agreements typically set up areas between towns that are considered within their long-term planning jurisdictions. They detail which neighborhoods might be annexed by particular towns in the long run.

A few months ago, Westmont Manager Steve May emailed Vana about the need to update boundary agreements. They struck such a pact in 2002, but under state law, such agreements are limited to 20 years.

May suggested the towns renew their agreements.

In the last couple of weeks, the sign in question has mostly fallen off, revealing that it was affixed to a Trump campaign sign.

The sign about annexation this week has mostly fallen off, revealing that it is affixed to a Trump campaign sign. (Courtesy of resident)