City Council punts on downtown curfew measure

The Chicago City Council delayed action on a proposed 8pm downtown curfew for teens Wednesday by sending the measure to the rules committee.

Why it matters: The measure highlights ongoing fears about downtown crime and large teen gatherings that sometimes resulted in violence in recent summers.

Catch up quick: Ald. Brian Hopkins proposed the ordinance to change the curfew for people under 18 from 10pm to 8pm in the wake of a recent Streeterville incident during which two teens allegedly attacked a man and pregnant woman who reportedly later miscarried.

Yes, but: Mayor Brandon Johnson opposes the idea.

• "I know there's been a lot of focus around what time people should go to bed," Johnson said at a press conference.
• "I'm having conversations that we're actually building an operation where we create opportunities for young people to have some spaces where they can grow and learn and discover their purpose."

Flashback: Downtown teen curfews aren't new. After a teen takeover of Millennium Park in 2022, then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot moved up the citywide curfew from 11 to 10pm, while imposing an earlier curfew at Millennium Park.

• Water Tower and Navy Pier banned unaccompanied minors after 4pm and 5pm respectively on weekends five years ago.
• Taste of Chicago reduced its hours in 2011 in response to large teenage crowds and downtown violence.

Reality check: Research shows curfews are largely ineffective in reducing crime .

What they're saying: "I do not believe every minor present during these recent gatherings have ill intentions, but it is painfully clear that a few agitators and ring leaders have instigated violent and chaotic actions time and time again, and this activity cannot be tolerated," Hopkins said in a statement.

• Ald. Marty Quinn agreed: "I have supported curfews in the past because I'm of the generation where over the news they said, 'It's whatever o'clock, do you know where your children are?'"

The other side: Ald. Andre Vasquez, who sent the measure to rules, tells Axios it is an unenforceable "PR stunt that opens up the door for police officers to profile people — most likely Black and brown kids from other communities. So if you want to prevent the problem of flash mobs [downtown], create places for folks to gather all over town."

Down the middle: Other alders supported a curfew, but not so early.

• "It's challenging trying to make kids go home when it's still daylight outside," Ald. Walter Burnett tells Axios. "I think we do need a curfew but let's enforce the one we have right now … they should be home when it gets dark for everyone's safety."

The bottom line: The measure's move to the rules committee delays any full council vote for at least a month even if it manages to advance out of committee.

Plus: The council on Wednesday also passed:

• A $50 million police misconduct settlement for the Marquette Park Four, the largest in the city's history.
• An ordinance restricting the use of loudspeakers by protesters outside of women's health clinics.