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Chicago Officials Propose Emergency Curfew Powers to Address Teen Gatherings

A compromise plan would allow police to declare temporary curfews during spontaneous 'teen takeovers,' shifting from a fixed 8 p.m. curfew proposal.

Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, attends a City Council meeting at City Hall on March 12, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
People walk through the Chicago's Loop shortly after sunset, March 11, 2025. Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, has been working on an 8 p.m. teen curfew after a tourist was shot in front of a movie theater in the 400 block of North Columbus. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
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Overview

  • Ald. Brian Hopkins has withdrawn his push for a fixed 8 p.m. curfew in downtown Chicago following last-minute negotiations with city officials and police leadership.
  • The new proposal would grant the Chicago Police superintendent and district commanders authority to impose temporary curfews in response to real-time incidents involving large, unsupervised teen gatherings.
  • Mayor Brandon Johnson, who opposed the earlier downtown-specific curfew, has expressed support for continued discussions on the flexible, situational approach.
  • The compromise comes after violent incidents in March, including shootings in Streeterville, spurred calls for stronger measures to manage teen gatherings.
  • Critics of the plan, including the ACLU, have raised concerns about potential legal challenges and the effectiveness of curfews in addressing youth violence.