Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has introduced an amendment to the City Municipal code which would raise the curfew age from under 17 to under 18. The current curfew ordinance, Chicago Muni. Code 8-16-020, prohibits minors under the age of 17 from “remaining in any public place” or “establishment” between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

No changes have been proposed to the curfew hours themselves, but if the amendment passes, they will extend to all minors under the age of 18.

The ordinance is aimed at keeping minors off the streets after hours, but it also creates two classes of offenders who enable minors to stay out.

Parents and guardians violate the ordinance if they, “by insufficient control allow the minor to remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the city during curfew hours.”

Likewise, owners, operators, and employees of an establishment violate the ordinance if they “knowingly allows a minor to remain upon the premises of the establishment during curfew hours.”

If you have any questions about your city’s curfew ordinance, please contact us at LauraLaw.