Overview
- The City Council’s Public Safety Committee voted 10-4 on Jan. 7 to advance Ald. Brian Hopkins’ revised ordinance to the full council later this month.
- The measure would let the police superintendent impose location-specific curfews with at least 12 hours’ public notice, cap each curfew at four hours, and require consultation with the deputy mayor for community safety.
- Backers say the tool could help prevent large youth meetups that have turned violent, pointing to a deadly November gathering after the Millennium Park tree lighting where a 14-year-old was killed and eight teens were wounded.
- Johnson argues existing rules sufficed during a calm New Year’s Eve after officials announced enforcement of the standing 10 p.m. curfew, and the Chicago Police Department has declined to take a public position.
- A separate proposal to fine social media companies for failing to remove posts promoting unlawful teen gatherings did not advance out of committee.