Chicago, IL Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew (12-17)
- 10:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.
- Curfew (under 12, Sun-Thu)
- 8:30 p.m.-6:00 a.m.
- Curfew (under 12, Fri-Sat)
- 9:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.
- Max fine
- $500 per offense
- Repeat violation (3rd in 12 mo.)
- up to 3x fine
Summary
Minors under 18 face citywide curfew: 10 p.m.-6 a.m. for those 12+, earlier for younger kids, with fines up to $500.
"Curfew hours" means: (A) For minors 12 years of age or older, 10:00 p.m. on any day until 6:00 a.m. of the following day... A minor commits an offense if he remains in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the city during curfew hours... punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-74: Current through Council Journal of June 17, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Chicago's curfew ordinance sets three tiers of "curfew hours": for minors 12 and older, 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.; for minors under 12, 8:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. A minor who remains in any public place or on an establishment's premises during those hours commits an offense, and so does a parent or guardian who allows it through insufficient control, or an establishment owner/employee who knowingly allows a minor to stay. The code lists specific defenses, being accompanied by a parent, on a work or family errand, at a supervised school/religious/city-sponsored activity, exercising First Amendment rights, or an emancipated/married minor, and requires officers to ask age and reason before citing anyone.
Violations & Fines
Up to $500 fine per offense (each day counts separately); fine triples for a third violation within 12 months; community service may substitute or add.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is Chicago's curfew for teenagers?
Can parents be cited for a curfew violation?
Are there exceptions to Chicago's curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chicago
Compare Chicago to another location·View the Illinois curfew laws overview
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Juvenile Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle juvenile curfew.