Curfew law advances, but social media crackdown stalls
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Ald. Brian Hopkins speaks Wednesday at a Public Safety Committee meeting. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios
The City Council's public safety committee approved an enhanced curfew ordinance Wednesday but stalled a companion plan to penalize social media companies that promote teen "trends."
Why it matters: The two proposals were designed to work in tandem to curb chaotic teen gatherings, which have, at times, escalated into violence.
- Now the two proposals will have to follow separate legislative paths, with support from Mayor Brandon Johnson remaining unclear.
Catch up quick: Johnson vetoed a snap curfew law introduced by Ald. Brian Hopkins last year, calling it "counterproductive" to crime reduction. But Hopkins hopes his new version, which requires the police to announce their curfew 12 hours before activation, will get a warmer reception.
- The downtown alder cited the mayor's effective 10 pm curfew reminders ahead of the recent "Rockin' New Year's Eve" event as proof the process can work.
- But Johnson took a different message from the New Year's success — that the city's current 10pm curfew already works if you remind people.
- Hopkins' law would allow police to activate a curfew earlier than 10pm if credible teen trend threats warranted it.
The intrigue: While Police Superintendent Larry Snelling has remained quiet on the topic recently, he previously had suggested he'd welcome additional tools to prevent the teen gatherings.
Social media stall: Multiple alders raised concerns about Ald. William Hall's plan to fine platforms that host party-promoting posts, comparing it to fining a building owner if someone posted a party flier on their wall.
- Ald. Ray Lopez said he wanted to see more emphasis on punishing the event promoters, and Hall noted that the proposal also targets them.
- After the meeting where his proposal stalled, Hall got a little emotional, saying, "When grown folks argue, children are always the ones that are impacted."
- He plans to modify his proposal and bring it back for a committee vote.
What's next: Hopkins says he'll put his ordinance up for a full council vote on Jan. 21, when he believes he can pass it.
- It's unclear, however, whether Johnson will veto it again and whether the measure can gather 34 votes to make it veto-proof.