No Snap Solutions: Why Mayor Johnson’s Veto Matters for Chicago’s Youth

This summer, Chicago’s City Council proposed a controversial measure: “snap curfews” — the power for the Chicago Police Superintendent, Larry Snelling, to issue an immediate curfew order for minors during certain public disturbances or incidents. But when the vote came down, Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoed it. And when the council tried to override that veto, they didn’t have the votes to make it happen. The proposal is dead—for now.

But the conversation around it is far from over.

What Is a Snap Curfew?

A snap curfew allows the city to quickly declare an emergency curfew for minors—without much warning—essentially restricting their presence in public spaces during certain hours. On paper, it sounds like a public safety strategy. In practice, it opens the door to profiling, mass arrests, and criminalizing youth—especially Black youth—for simply being outside.

Why Mayor Johnson Said No

Mayor Brandon Johnson opposed the measure because he knows who would be most affected. These curfews wouldn’t be applied evenly across the city. They would disproportionately impact Black and Brown teens—many of whom are already over-policed and under-supported.

He said plainly that the answer to public safety is not arresting more kids. And we agree.

What some officials see as a solution, many in the community see as a shortcut—one that skips over the hard, necessary work of understanding why teens are gathering outside in the first place.

What Do Teens Have to Do in the Summer?

The truth is: not much.

Once a young person ages out of Chicago Park District summer camps at 13, there are few (if any) free or affordable programs available to them. Those awkward in-between teen years—14, 15, 16—are filled with energy, curiosity, and emotion. But there’s no system in place to channel it.

They’re too old for day camp and too young for work. So what’s left?

They hang out. On corners. In parks. Downtown. Not always with bad intentions—but in the absence of structured, positive environments, that energy can spiral.

Jailing Teens Isn’t a Solution—It’s a Setback

When we criminalize teens for being outside, we set them up for long-term consequences. An arrest record can follow a young person for years, making it harder to get into school, get a job, or even rent an apartment.

We can’t afford to keep stacking barriers on top of already vulnerable youth.

Instead of curfews that funnel kids into the system, we need **community-based programs, mentorship, night sports leagues, open rec centers, music studios, tech labs, creative workshops—**places where teens can be seen and supported, not policed.

So What Now?

Mayor Johnson’s veto is a clear statement: Chicago’s youth are not the enemy.
But it’s not enough to oppose snap curfews—we need alternatives.

If we truly want a safer, healthier city, we must invest in what keeps teens engaged, empowered, and off the streets for the right reasons—not just out of fear of arrest.

We can’t “snap” our way out of deeper social challenges. We need to build.

Call to Action

If you’re an organization offering free or low-cost summer programs for teens, let us know—we want to amplify your work.
If you’re a concerned parent, educator, or mentor, speak up and organize.
And if you're a policymaker: we’re watching, and we’re expecting real solutions—not just enforcement.

The future of our youth depends on it.