Expanded curfew ratified by City Council

Enforced since Sept. 18, Chicago's new child curfew ordinance was unanimously ratified by City Council. Violation stats to date are 168 children under eleven and 2,132 young people twelve and over have been cited.

The new law requires children under the age of 12 to be indoors by 8:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Young people between the ages of 12-16 must be indoors by 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

A major objective of the ordinance is to keep children out of harm's way during the time they are most vulnerable. With the Chicago Police Department's commitment to keep children safe,  Superintendent Garry McCarthy believes curfew enforcement, along with community partnership is fundamental to that goal.

The expanded curfew ordinance is part of Mayor Emanuel and McCarthy's comprehensive public safety plan to reduce crime and violence throughout the City.