Chicago Teens Urge Non-Curfew Fixes for 49 June Gatherings

3 articles · Updated · WBEZ Chicago · Jun 25

Chicago teens used City Council testimony to press for responses beyond curfew ordinances, arguing the city should prevent violence at “teen trends” with more youth-centered options.
Forty-nine teen gatherings are expected or already occurred in June, Deputy Mayor for Community Safety Emmanuel Andre said, while officials noted many such events end without incident even as some have turned deadly.
The teens described what they want instead: community spaces with live DJs, free food, homework help and activities like budgeting lessons and craft workshops, plus city partnerships with restaurants for events.
The hearing underscored a gap between the issue’s prominence and the city’s response, with many members of the 15-person Subcommittee on Youth Employment absent from a largely empty chamber.