Chicago Mayor Blocks ‘Snap Curfew’ in First Veto in Nearly 20 Years
- Natalie Frank
- Jul 16
- 1 min read
Updated: Jul 17
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s stand against controversial curfew proposal sparks fierce debate over youth safety, policing power, civil liberties in Chicago
Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D June 16, 2025
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CHICAGO — A proposal that would have allowed the Chicago Police Department to impose youth curfews anywhere, at any time, was shut down Wednesday after Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first veto withstood a City Council challenge.
The measure, originally introduced by Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd), was designed to crack down on what he describes as “teen takeovers,” unpermitted youth gatherings that have at times escalated into violence in Downtown Chicago. The ordinance would have given Police Superintendent Larry Snelling the power to implement real-time curfews and require officers to give at least 30 minutes’ notice before dispersing youth from public areas.
