City Council: Argonne Cuts Would 'Devastate' Darien

Darien City Council voted Monday to approve a resolution denouncing to programs that support research at Argonne National Laboratory.

The resolution spotlighted the impact cuts to the Darien-area lab’s funding would have on both the area’s economy, as well as the lab’s contributions to science and technology.

Argonne officials have said the cuts proposed in H.R. 1, which would halve funding for a key energy efficiency program, would result in about 1,000 layoffs. The reductions would also prompt the elimination of about 2,000 subcontractor positions at companies that conduct research in conjunction with the energy lab.

Eighty-three Argonne employees live in Darien, the lab has said.  

“[T]he loss of these jobs would be devastating to both the City of Darien and the region, with laid-off employees moving out of the area and reduced revenues for businesses supported by these employees,” the city’s resolution read.

The resolution also said the cuts would dramatically shrink the number of visiting researchers from universities and private companies who patronize local hotels, restaurants and other businesses.

Mayor Kathleen Weaver said that she has reached out to Sen. Dick Durbin, D-IL, and Rep. Judy Biggert, R-Hinsdale, about the federal spending bill, which the House passed Feb. 19. H.R. 1 outlines the federal budget for the rest of fiscal year 2011. 

“I felt it was very important to take a stand on this issue,” Weaver said.

Durbin has vehemently spoken out against the bill, first in a letter to the Senate energy subcommittee and later at a .

Weaver said that Biggert, who voted in favor of the bill, advised her it is unlikely the bill will make its way out of Congress as written.

The resolution will be sent to Durbin, Biggert and Sen. Mark Kirk, D-IL, along with any comments or messages Darien residents submit to City Hall.