Waukegan, IL Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Under 14 curfew
- 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily
- Ages 14-15 curfew
- 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily
- Ages 16-17 curfew
- 10 p.m. Sun-Thu; 12:01 a.m. Fri/Sat
- Detention cost
- $35.00 per hour after first hour
- Public service alternative
- $5.00 per hour per person
- Governing section
- City Code § 15-16
Summary
Waukegan enforces a tiered nighttime curfew for anyone under 18 under City Code Sec. 15-16. Kids under 14 must be off public streets between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., 14- and 15-year-olds between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., and 16- and 17-year-olds face a Sunday-through-Thursday 10:00 p.m. curfew and a 12:01 a.m. curfew on Friday and Saturday nights, unless accompanied by a parent or an approved adult companion.
(a)Age. It is unlawful for a juvenile to be present at or upon any public building, place, street or highway in violation of the following curfew hours unless accompanied and supervised by a parent, legal guardian or other responsible companion at least 21 years of age approved by a parent or legal guardian or unless the juvenile is engaged in conducted which is enumerated in subsection (b):(1)The curfew for persons younger than 14 years of age: Between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. each day of the week;(2)The curfew for persons at least 14 years of age but younger than 16 years of age: Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. each day of the week;(3)The curfew for persons at least 16 years of age but younger than 18 years of age:a.Between 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., Saturday;b.Between 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., Sunday; andc.Between 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 6:00 a.m. on the following day.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 113).
Full Breakdown
The ordinance applies to any public building, place, street or highway in the city and lets a juvenile avoid a citation only if accompanied and supervised by a parent, legal guardian, or another approved companion at least 21 years old, or if the juvenile is engaged in an activity listed in subsection (b): working a job state law allows a minor to hold, traveling to or from a school-sponsored event, a religious activity, or an activity protected by the First Amendment or Article I, Sections 4 and 5 of the Illinois Constitution.
When an officer takes a juvenile into custody for a curfew violation, the officer must promptly try to reach the parent or guardian, and the police department may hold the juvenile at a designated detention center until a parent or guardian signs an acknowledgment of the violation. 00 per hour per person instead of paying cash. Section 15-16(g) also lets the city council impose a stricter special curfew by a two-thirds vote for public health or safety reasons, with at least one week's published notice. Citations under this section may be routed to the city's administrative adjudication department instead of the circuit court.
Violations & Fines
A parent, guardian, or other custodian who knowingly permits a juvenile to violate the curfew is fined under Sec. 1-13 of the Code. Juveniles taken into custody face detention until a parent signs for release, plus a $35.00-per-hour holding cost after the first hour if it's a repeat offense, satisfiable through public service at $5.00 per hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Waukegan's curfew start for teenagers 16 and 17?
Can my child be out past curfew for a school or church event?
What happens if my child is picked up for a curfew violation?
Is there a separate curfew during the school day?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waukegan
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