A group of Chicago aldermen will try again to pass an ordinance that would hold parents accountable for certain crimes and ordinance violations committed by their children, arguing that headline-grabbing violence at “teen trends” and street takeovers demonstrate the need for stronger consequences.
Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th) said Wednesday he filed notice to call his “Parental Accountability” ordinance for a vote during an upcoming City Council meeting.
The proposal was first introduced in October 2023 but stalled in the City Council’s Public Safety Committee. Lopez said he and Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) used a parliamentary maneuver known as “defer and publish” to prevent the legislation from dying.
Now, Lopez and eight co-sponsors are bringing back a reworked version. According to his office, the new draft responds to concerns from the city’s Law Department about whether the original version was constitutional, plus complaints that the fines were too steep. The substitute gives violators a choice between paying a fine or doing community service instead of facing both, and it ramps up penalties for people who rack up repeat violations within a year.
The ordinance would amend portions of Chicago’s municipal code governing juvenile curfews and parental responsibility. It states that a parent or guardian who “willfully, knowingly, or by insufficient control” allows a minor to violate city ordinances or other laws could be held responsible for the child’s conduct.
Under the proposal, parents of minors who violate the city’s curfew ordinance could face fines of up to $500, and the minors could be ordered to perform up to 75 hours of community service and participate in family counseling. Penalties would increase for repeat violations committed within a year.
Another provision would impose penalties on adults or minors who use social media, messaging applications, or other forms of communication to encourage minors to commit crimes or ordinance violations. Violators could face fines of up to $10,000 and vehicle impoundment.
Lopez said recent incidents involving large groups of youths have reinforced his belief that the city must act.
“Since this measure was put before the Committee on Public Safety, Chicago has seen several high-profile events involving youth,” Lopez wrote in a statement. “Additionally, neighborhoods across Chicago know the sounds of vehicular street takeovers by youth seeking social media fame. City Council must take action now before these activities become the norm and not the exception.”
Lopez said the ordinance is co-sponsored by Beale, Ald. Marty Quinn (13th), Ald. Silvana Tabares (23rd), Ald. Monique Scott (24th), Ald. Felix Cardona Jr. (31st), Ald. Nicholas Sposato (38th), Ald. James Gardiner (45th), and Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th).
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