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Are the Teens Alright?

To curb unruly activity, Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) wants City Council to fine more Chicago parents. Under an existing ordinance, parents can be fined for “contributing to the delinquency of a minor” as a Class A misdemeanor if their child engages in criminal activity. That includes violating curfew. Hopkins wants to strengthen the ordinance to include parents whose children attend so-called “teen trends.”

Wait, what’s a ‘teen trend’? Also referenced as “teen takeovers,” these events are not confined to Chicago. Detroit, Atlanta, D.C., and other cities are seeing their fair share of these large, planned meetups in city centers, parks, and beaches. Experts point to the pandemic for increasing screen time, social media usage, and spending less time socializing in real life.

Over Memorial Day weekend, more than 800 people gathered at a “teen trend” gathering on 57th Street, resulting in 13 arrests and a shooting that wounded three men. The Chicago Police Department and Ald. Desmon Yancy (5th) were aware of the meet-up before it happened. Another occurred on the Near West Side, where five officers were struck by a car. The aftermath has city officials questioning how to get ahead of similar events this summer.

Last year was all about snap curfew: Hopkins was the first to push for that proposal after two people were shot during a teen gathering in March of 2025 in Streeterville.

• A landmark veto: City Council passed the ordinance, which would have allowed CPD Supt. Larry Snelling to set temporary teen curfews with 30 minutes notice. Then Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a veto — his first — as critics worried it could contribute to over-policing and infringe on constitutional rights.

Looking ahead: Many Chicagoans wonder where teens are supposed to gather when third spaces for youth are disappearing.

• Across Chicagoland: Mall closures have left only a few shopping centers for teens to hang out in; some enforce “youth escort policies” on evenings and weekends.
• At Millennium Park, there is an official curfew stemming from a 2022 shooting. Minors must be accompanied from 6 p.m. Thursday to Sunday.
• Navy Pier, too, has a “youth escort policy” starting at 5 p.m. on weekends.
• Citywide: The current city curfew is 10 p.m.

Metra Rock Island Expands Service

Starting June 1, Metra will run more daily trains and replace multiple flag stops with regular stops. It’s part of a larger Rock Island Line service expansion planned under the new Northern Illinois Transit Authority. [Block Club]

Mayor Meets Pope. Plus, RIP Schiltz

Mayor Brandon Johnson is in Vatican City this week to meet Chicago’s very own Pope Leo XIV for the first time. The two are expected to discuss their mutual disdain for the president, the state of Chicago baseball, and the Pope’s latest writings on the dangers of AI. We discuss the historic meeting on today’s podcast. Plus, a 177-year-old beer halts production, and we remember Midwest brands that still have our hearts. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

What’s a New Grad to Do?

Illinois unemployment is at its highest point since 2024, and recent Chicago graduates are feeling the pain of the job hunt. One Loyola grad describes studying accounting, interning at Morgan Stanley, applying to more than 150 jobs — and coming up empty. Meanwhile, AI is screening applications and gobbling up entry-level jobs. [WBEZ]

Final Season of ‘The Chi’

“The Chi,” television’s longest-running Black drama, says goodbye to Chicago after eight years. The final season begins streaming Friday on Paramount+. [WBEZ]