DARIEN, IL – Without discussion, the Darien City Council on Monday unanimously voted to create a chamber of commerce-type group and hire a director to run it.
On Friday, the Darien Chamber of Commerce came out against the plan, vowing to continue operating. No one from the chamber spoke out at Monday’s meeting.
Now the community has two business groups – the chamber and the city-operated Darien Business Alliance.
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In its paperwork, Darien made no bones about the shape that the alliance would take – it would resemble a traditional chamber of commerce.
April Padalik, the chamber’s executive director, is set to become the director of the business alliance and community events, according to the city.
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Padalik has not returned a message for comment. As of Tuesday morning, she was still listed as the chamber’s executive director.
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For years, the chamber has had an office at City Hall.
In a Nov. 20 goal-setting council meeting, Mayor Joseph Marchese proposed the plan for the alliance, according to meeting minutes. Officials say the city is better positioned to put on the chamber’s two main events, Darien Fest and Darien Dash.
In a story Friday, Patch detailed the positions of both the city and the chamber.
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