Introduction to the Proposal
A plan to allow police to issue temporary curfews for unaccompanied teens advanced Tuesday after a Chicago City Council committee approved the proposal.
What We Know
Late Tuesday afternoon, the City Council’s Public Safety Committee voted to approve a proposal that would give police the authority to enforce snap curfews on unaccompanied minors during potential mass gatherings. The ordinance now heads to the full City Council for a final vote.
The plan, introduced by Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward), allows police to temporarily restrict minors from being in certain public areas without a parent or guardian if officers anticipate large gatherings that could become unsafe. The curfew would not be citywide but would apply to specific areas on a temporary basis.
This marks the first time the proposal has cleared committee after multiple rounds of debate in earlier meetings where a vote was delayed.
The Backstory
Hopkins initially called for a blanket 8 p.m. curfew downtown, replacing the city’s current 10 p.m. cutoff for unaccompanied teens. That plan faced significant backlash, including from Mayor Brandon Johnson, who called for a more holistic approach focused on youth engagement.
Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, attends a City Council meeting at City Hall on March 12, 2025, in Chicago. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Hopkins later revised his proposal to focus on giving police more flexibility rather than changing the citywide curfew. In an email to constituents, he said he was proud of the collaborative process that shaped the final version.
Opposition to the Ordinance
Opponents of the ordinance have continued to raise concerns about how it will be implemented and whether it will hold up legally. The ACLU of Illinois has criticized the ordinance as a "Band-Aid" that does little to address the root causes of violence or youth participation in large gatherings.
Mayor Johnson has also remained opposed to the concept, saying on Tuesday that curfews are not supported by data as an effective tool to prevent violence. He called instead for more investment in safe spaces and activities for young people.
"If we don’t give young people real activity, we don’t help them find their purpose, we’re just gonna find ourselves in a tailspin," Johnson said at a news conference.
Next Steps
With committee approval secured, the full City Council will now consider the proposal. A vote could come as early as next week.
Conclusion
The proposal to implement temporary curfews for unaccompanied teens in Chicago has moved forward, with the City Council’s Public Safety Committee approving the plan. While opponents have raised concerns about the effectiveness and legality of the ordinance, supporters argue that it will help prevent violence and keep young people safe. The full City Council will now consider the proposal, with a vote expected in the coming weeks.
FAQs
- Q: What is the proposal about?
A: The proposal allows police to issue temporary curfews for unaccompanied teens in specific areas during potential mass gatherings. - Q: Who introduced the proposal?
A: Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) introduced the proposal. - Q: What is the current curfew for unaccompanied teens in Chicago?
A: The current curfew is 10 p.m. - Q: What are the concerns about the proposal?
A: Opponents are concerned about the implementation, legality, and effectiveness of the ordinance in addressing the root causes of violence. - Q: What’s next for the proposal?
A: The full City Council will consider the proposal, with a vote expected in the coming weeks.
