Chicago prohibits minors under 17 from public places between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM Sunday-Thursday and between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM Friday-Saturday. Children under 12 must be off the streets after 8:30 PM/9:00 PM. Exceptions include parental accompaniment, work, and school events. Parents face fines and community service.
Municipal Code of Chicago §8-16-020 makes it unlawful for any person under 17 to be present in any public assembly, place, street, or highway during curfew hours. The curfew runs 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM on Friday and Saturday. A stricter sub-curfew applies to children under 12, who must be off the streets by 8:30 PM Sun-Thu and 9:00 PM Fri-Sat. Downtown Millennium Park and Loop curfews have at times been tightened.
Defenses include accompaniment by a parent or responsible adult, parental errands, interstate travel, lawful employment, emergency response, attending an official school or religious activity, and First Amendment exercise. CPD enforces via patrol and dedicated sweeps.
A violation is punishable by a $500 fine and up to 10 hours of community service. Parents who knowingly permit a violation face the same penalty. CPD transports detained minors to a police facility for parent pickup.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cook County.
See how other cities in Cook County handle juvenile curfew.
See how Chicago's juvenile curfew rules stack up against other locations.
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