Elected Officials

Joseph Marchese has been a resident of Darien for 39 years and Ward Five Alderman for 22 years.  He and Cathlynn Marchese have been married for 52 years.  They had three adult children, Jeffrey (Christie), the late Jon (Lynda), Jameson; and two grandchildren, Jake and Ella.
 
Mayor Marchese is retired following a 35-year career as a High School Teacher and Administrator, as well as a Graduate School instructor In the Masters in Leadership Program at Benedictine University.  A 52-year parishioner at Our Lady of Peace Parish in Darien, Mayor Marchese has served the Darien Community as president, chair, co-chair or member of 18 Darien civic, religious, recreational and service groups.
 
During his tenure on the Darien City Council he has served on the Administrative Finance Committee, Police Committee and has chaired the Municipal Services Committee for over 10 years.  Joseph was elected to serve as Darien’s Mayor in April 2019, and was re-elected Mayor in April of 2023.

JoAnne has been a Darien resident since 1975 and is the parent of two adult children.

She has 23 years municipal experience with the City of Darien and the Village of Woodridge.  JoAnne has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from DePaul University and is a Certified Municipal Clerk and Illinois Registered Clerk.  JoAnne has been a volunteer for Our Lady of Peace, Darien Youth Club, School District 61, Darien Fest, Carmelite Carefree Village, Municipal Clerks of Illinois and Safer Foundation PACE.  She is a member of International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Municipal Clerks of Illinois, Municipal Clerks of DuPage County, North and Northwest Suburban Clerk’s Association.

Ward Three Map

Elected as Alderman April 2013
Term Ends - May 2029

Joe and his wife Lisa, who is a nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, have lived in Darien since 1997.

Joe has been a local Realtor since 2001 and volunteers for numerous organizations such as the Rotary Club of Downers Grove, and is a member of the choir at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.

Ward Three is bound by 67th Street, Cass Avenue, Plainfield Road, and Fairview Avenue and includes:

• Brookhaven West Subdivision
• Brookhaven Plaza
• Darien Club Subdivision
• Heritage Plaza & adjacent businesses
• DiCosia Subdivision
• Plainfield Office Park
• Farmingdale Subdivision
• Moser Subdivision
• Norman Court Homes & Townhomes
• Knotingham Subdivision - Darien portion
• Stevens, Hawthorne & Williams Street Homes
• Lace, Fairview and Eisenhower Schools area homes & businesses
• Colonial Manor Apt & adjacent businesses
• Darien City Hall & Police Department area

Chairman, Police Committee [schedule]

Elected as Treasurer in the April 2007 election.  Michael is married to Jan and has 3 children and 5 grandchildren. 

Police Pension Board [schedule]

Ward One Map

Elected as Alderman April 2009
Term Ends - May 2029

Ted Schauer has lived in Darien since 2000 and is currently Darien's longest serving alderman. Ted is a graduate from the University of Iowa. He is a senior banker and has been in the banking industry since 2001. Ted was involved with the Darien Youth Club where he coached both, baseball and soccer.  He was the former president of the Farmingdale South Homeowners Association. Ted is a single father of two adult boys, Trevor and Tristan. 

Ward One is bound by Plainfield Road, Bailey Road, Nantucket Drive and North Frontage Road.

Administrative/Finance Committee [schedule]
Municipal Services [schedule]

Ward Two Map

Term Ends - May 2027
 
Ralph is married to his wife Debbie with one adult child Tim (Katie).  He has lived in Darien since 1983.  Ralph graduated from Loyola University with a degree in Accounting and owned a business in Darien for over 20 years.  Ralph was elected to the city council in 2023 and is committed to fostering a safe, welcoming, and vibrant community for all residents.  Ralph believes in transparent governance and collaborative efforts to enhance Darien's unique character and quality of life.  Prior to serving on the council, Ralph was actively involved in various community organizations and served on the Planning and Zoning Commission for Darien.

Municipal Services Committee  [schedule]
Police Committee [schedule]

Ward Four Map

Term expires: May 2027
 
Gerry and his wife Julie have three children and have lived in Darien since 1994.  Gerry graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1985 with a Bachelors of Science in Accounting.  He is a former licensed Certified Public Accountant, Auditor, Financial and Operational Executive.

Administrative/Finance Committee [schedule]

Ward Five Map

Term Ends – May 2029

Mary has been a Darien resident since 1996.  She and her husband Mark have 3 children.  She is a graduate of Bradley University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Political Science.  Mary has a strong background in non-­‐profit management and volunteer empowerment.  She also spent 8 years on staff with the Darien Neighbors Magazine and worked on other surrounding suburban publications as Editor. Mary was a participant in the elite Edgar Fellows Program in August 2022.  She also serves on the DuPage Mayors and Managers Legislative Committee. Her service to the community has been extensive.  

She has been an active member of the Darien community for over 30 years serving in various capacities with organizations such as:
Darien Planning & Zoning Commission, Darien Historical Society Save The Barn, Cass District 63 Foundation for Educational Excellence President, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catechist & Food Pantry, Hinsdale South High School Booster Club President, District 86 Caucus, District 86 Vote Yes Campaign Co-­‐Chair, Darien Park District Referendum Committee and the Darien Woman’s Club.

Chairman, Administrative/Finance Committee [schedule]

Ward Six Map

Term Ends - May 2027

Eric is married with three children and has lived in Darien since 1982.
Eric is a CPA and has a masters degree In Finance.

Ward 6

• Adlfinger’s Resubdivision
• Betkes Subdivision
• Charles Peak Division
• Chestnut Court (shopping center)
• GMC Resubdivision
• Marketplace at Darien (shopping center)
• Meyers Commons
• Part of the Lake in the Woods
• Rosewood Condos
• Rosewood Resubdivision No. 2
• Sharon Estates
• Water Tower Court Assessment
• Water Tower Court Unit 2    
• Woodhill Resubdivision
• Woodmere
• Zepa’s Subdivision
• Crossroad of Darien PUD (office, shopping center)
• Darien Corporate Center (office, industrial)
• Darien Towne Centre (shopping center)
• Gallagher & Henry’s Farmingdale Ridge Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
• Gallagher & Henry’s Farmingdale Village Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Police Committee [schedule]

Ward Seven Map

Term Ends - May 2029

Ward Seven is bound by 67th Street, Richmond Avenue, Plainfield Road and Cass Avenue

Chairman, Municipal Services Committee [schedule]