City Council to consider curfew compromise
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Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
A push for an 8pm teen curfew downtown has morphed into a new measure that would let the Chicago Police Department impose "as needed" curfews in any part of the city to address "teen takeovers."
Why it matters: A blanket downtown curfew could have severely curtailed teens' ability to visit the city center, but it could have also made concerned downtown residents and businesses feel heard after violent incidents during recent takeovers.
Backstory: Ald. Brian Hopkins introduced the measure last month in response to recent takeovers, but Mayor Brandon Johnson made his opposition clear.
- In recent days, however, Hopkins says he worked with the mayor and police superintendent Larry Snelling to find a compromise.
Zoom in: The new proposal would allow district commanders or the superintendent to call a curfew at the location and time of their choice.
What they're saying: "We still have details to discuss because even some of my strong supporters have questions," Hopkins tells Axios, noting that he has 30 council co-signers, enough to pass the measure.
- "But we do have to expedite this because warm temperatures are coming soon and with it comes [more takeovers]."
The other side: "It is troubling that the City Council would consider giving one person — whether the CPD superintendent or a district commander — the ability to enforce a curfew at any point, at any time without warning or notice," Ed Yohnka, ACLU-Illinois spokesperson, tells Axios.
- "Moreover, the proposal does not contain necessary exceptions for young people engaged in First Amendment activity, attending religious services and other protected endeavors."
- Yohnka says the proposal won't make the city safer and will lead to costly legal challenges. Additionally, he says, CPD already has tools to disperse crowds.
Johnson's office released a statement Wednesday saying he is "supportive of the efforts to find a compromise and looks forward to continued conversations on this important issue."
What's next: Hopkins said he'll submit the plan for a vote in the Public Safety committee after discussing it more with co-signers. A full council vote is expected at the May 21 meeting.
In other council news: A joint committee Wednesday delayed consideration of a measure to create a city-funded nonprofit to fund Green Social Housing, saying it needs more modifications.
- As expected, the council voted to pass a resolution to discourage city officials from hiring those who took part in the Jan. 6 insurrection in the U.S. Capitol.
Meanwhile: Axios spotted former Illinois Rep. Luis Gutierrez on the council floor before the meeting and asked about rumors that he might run for office again. Gutierrez wouldn't confirm the rumors but said:
- "I have been doing a lot of listening and people have been telling me they miss me and … my loud voice. They say they are sick of the chaos and the fear, and they haven't yet heard a strong organized response to it."