Ald. Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward is taking action to move forward implementing a curfew on unaccompanied minors downtown. The decision was made following an attack last week on a couple by a group of teenagers.
The couple went out on a casual date Friday night when they were bombarded by a group of teens around 9 p.m. who began beating them. The incident occurred near Grand Avenue and McClurg Court in Streeterville, Chicago police said.
The teens were arrested and charged with battery, which is a misdemeanor. The Alderman said the charges were “entirely inappropriate” and requested the Cook County states attorney’s office upgrade the charges to a felony “given the severity of the assailants’ actions.”
Hopkins is now pushing to pass an 8 p.m. curfew for all unaccompanied minors from being in the Chicago downtown area. The curfew would prevent minors from being in the downtown area without the supervision of an adult.
“I do not believe every minor present during these recent gatherings have ill intentions, but it is painfully clear that a few agitators and ring leaders have instigated violent and chaotic actions time and time again, and this activity cannot be tolerated,” Hopkins said in a statement.
If the policy is indeed implemented, those out past curfew would be given a violation.
