Arlington Heights, IL Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Section 8-523 makes it unlawful to loiter, linger, collect, gather, or assemble on any public crosswalk of 20 feet or less in width used for pedestrian travel between residences, in a manner that obstructs or interferes with passage along the crosswalk or disturbs or threatens the public peace. Two related Sections give police broader dispersal authority in designated hot spots. Under Section 8-525 (Gang Loitering), when an officer observes a criminal street gang member engaged in gang loitering in an area the Police Chief has designated by written directive, the officer must inform the group that gang loitering is prohibited there, order them to disperse from sight and hearing of the location, and warn that failing to obey or returning to loiter within sight or hearing during the next eight hours subjects them to arrest.

The Police Chief may only designate an area after determining that gang loitering there has let gangs establish control, intimidate residents, or conceal illegal activity, and must consult knowledgeable police personnel and officials before doing so. Section 8-526 (Narcotics-Related Loitering) works the same way for areas frequently associated with narcotics-related loitering, with the same warn-disperse-eight-hour framework. Both Sections direct the Police Chief to adopt procedures protecting constitutionally protected collective advocacy from enforcement. Both were adopted by Ordinance #16-051.