Chicago aldermen on Thursday approved without discussion an earlier curfew for kids under 12.
"I had a curfew," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said during the City Council meeting.
The new curfew requires young children to be off the streets by 8:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday to protect kids out on the streets unsupervised. The curfew for minors 12 to 16 years old is 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Some warned last week that the crackdown would put a burden on police and prevent children from enjoying their summer off from school.
But Ald. Toni Foulkes said the ordinance benefits the kids and could help reduce crime.
“Earlier curfew for younger kids can only help protect them," Foulkes said in a statement. "Anything we can do to get kids off the street can assist us in reducing violence.”
Parents of children who break the curfew could get a $500 fine or community service for the first two offenses and $1,500 for three or more violations over 12 months.
“While the government can do its part, we need parents to do theirs," Emanuel said. "We need parents to help make sure their children are home safe where they belong."
