On Wednesday, April 30th, Ald. Vasquez joined members of the Progressive Caucus in speaking out against the proposed curfew ordinance, O2024-0010163. See below for the full text of the letter.
We, the undersigned Council members, are joining with community advocates in speaking out against the proposed curfew ordinance.
We want to begin by recognizing the real concerns about violence in our city. But curfews are not the answer. We need approaches that build trust, not policies that risk further harm to young people.
The ordinance grants broad discretion to the Chicago Police Department to impose curfews with as little as 30 minutes’ notice, without clear limits on duration or geographic scope. Such vague and confusing parameters would almost certainly result in young people inadvertently violating the law.
We are also deeply concerned about the constitutionality of the proposal. It permits arrests based on a standard lower than probable cause and lacks essential due process protections. It also raises concerns of racial profiling: On the first night of the 2020 curfew, 93% of those arrested were Black Chicagoans—an alarming statistic that underscores the grave potential for harm that this ordinance presents.
Curfews have been tried before in Chicago and across the country, yet multiple studies confirm that they are ineffective as a public safety tool. The evidence is clear: curfews do not reduce violent crime, nor do they prevent youth criminalization.
Thankfully, we know what strategies do work to reduce violence and prevent crime. Rather than relying on punitive measures, we urge the City to invest in proven strategies that support young people and enhance public safety. This includes expanding youth employment programs, investing in community-based violence prevention programs, and increasing access to safe public spaces and recreational opportunities.
Daniel La Spata, 1st Ward
Desmon Yancy, 5th Ward
Julia Ramirez, 12th Ward
Jeanette Taylor, 20th Ward
Michael D. Rodriguez, 22nd Ward
Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th Ward
Jessie Fuentes, 26th Ward
Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez, 33rd Ward
Anthony Quezada, 35th Ward
Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward
Angela Clay, 46th Ward
Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, 48th Ward
Maria Hadden, 49th Ward