Petition for 8PM Curfew for Unaccompanied Minors in Chicago’s Central Business District

Dear Mayor Johnson,

As concerned citizens of Chicago and the Streeterville Neighborhood Advocates, we respectfully urge you to enact an 8:00 PM curfew for unaccompanied minors in the Central Business District. Recent reports of "teen takeover" activities in the Streeterville area have raised significant concerns. These events involve large groups of unsupervised minors gathering and engaging in disruptive and sometimes violent behavior, creating chaos and posing serious safety risks for residents and visitors alike. In light of these incidents, we believe that immediate and decisive action is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of our community, particularly with the upcoming summer events, including the Democratic National Convention and NASCAR.

Alderman Brian Hopkins has introduced an ordinance to the City Council proposing this curfew as a proactive measure to address the escalating incidents of violence and disorder involving minors. His proposal highlights the urgent need to protect residents, visitors, and the integrity of our public spaces. The ordinance states, "A city-wide curfew will deter unlawful gatherings, reduce the potential for violence, and aid law enforcement in maintaining public safety."

Streeterville is the gateway to some of the most active tourist attractions, including Navy Pier, the River Walk, the John Hancock Building, the Magnificent Mile, and world class beaches. The area attracts visitors not only from other parts of the city, state and country, but also from around the world. It serves as a main economic engine for our city, and as good neighbors, we welcome these tourists and enjoy interacting with them during their visits.

Additionally, this neighborhood is home to one of the most prominent healthcare systems in the world. Patients and their families come from all over to receive high-quality care, and they should feel safe while here.

As you have the authority to bypass the council and enact this curfew, we implore you to take swift action. The situation we face today demands prompt intervention to prevent further disturbances and ensure that Chicago remains a safe and welcoming city for all.

We believe this curfew will enhance public safety by limiting the time minors can be in public spaces unsupervised. Such a curfew will drastically reduce the likelihood of violent incidents and unlawful activities, and support law enforcement in managing crowds. Additionally, it will protect our community and safeguard vital economic and healthcare hubs in the Streeterville and River East area.

We understand that curfews can be challenging and disruptive, but we believe this temporary measure is necessary to restore order and protect our community. We trust in your leadership and commitment to the safety and well-being of all Chicagoans and our valued guests, many of whom wholeheartedly decide to visit this great city that we call home.

We kindly request that you enact this 8:00 PM curfew for minors as a matter of urgency. Your prompt action will demonstrate your dedication to maintaining peace and security in our beloved city.

We, the undersigned, support the above request for an 8:00 PM curfew for unaccompanied minors in the Central Business District and urge Mayor Johnson to take immediate action.

Please note: Any requests for donations that you may receive after signing this petition are from Change.org to support their platform and not from Streeterville Neighborhood Advocates-SNA. Our group is not soliciting any donations.