Chicago City Council rejects proposed fine for parents in 'teen takeover' accountability ordinance

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A revision to a proposed Chicago "teen takeover" accountability ordinance that included a $1,000 financial penalty for parents was rejected by a City Council vote Wednesday.

The proposal originally never passed in committee and it didn't get too far before the full City Council on Wednesday.

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Fifteenth Ward Alderman Raymond Lopez said that he revised his proposed ordinance on parental accountability to include a gradual fee structure where parents would have to pay up. He said it would have included mostly a $1,000 fine or 75 hours of community service for the parents, as well as mandatory family counseling.

"It's $1,000 fine or community service, as well as a requirement that the minor and parents or legal guardians must attend family counseling," Ald. Lopez said.

Alders in opposition said it's unfair to punish parents who maybe already struggling financially. Ald. Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward argues punitive action doesn't result in safer streets.

"If you're gonna have penalty, how are you also investing in community and creating spaces for children not to be doing this stuff," Vasquez said.

Lopez proposed vehicles would be impounded, as well as a $10,000 fine for events where minors violate curfew, engage in drag racing, flipping of cars, intoxication, or use of paintball guns.

"You know what doesn't cost you money? Paying attention to your kid," Lopez said. "That's exactly what parents need to do right now. They need to pay attention to what their children are doing, know where they're going, and follow up to make sure that they are not breaking the law once they leave your house. That's free."

On Tuesday, Mayor Brandon Johnson said: "I've said it from the very beginning, its about not just accountability, its about opportunity as well. That's why I have called on the business community, the philanthropic community, our faith-based organizations, community-based organizations to invest in safe spaces, and people are doing that."

While Lopez agrees with investments, he says it doesn't cost money for parents to pay attention to their kids. But, City Council voted down Lopez's effort to resurrect the failed ordinance holding parents accountable.

"We've seen already a dozen of these events in people's wards who voted no, they will have to answer to their voters and residents why they said accountability doesn't matter," Lopez said.

Lopez also proposed renaming Northerly Island after Pope Leo as a way to help educate people on the first American pontiff and Dolton native.

On different subject, alder's did pass a measure saving the city's Greyhound bus station on West Harrison Street. The city will pay $19 million to buy the station. A private equity firm owns it and may have sold it to developers to build something else.

It sits in Ald. Bill Conway's 34th Ward. Because many of his residents are against the property remaining a bus station, Conway was against the sale, but he changed his mind.

"The station has had problems for 20 years, as aldermen we are also fiduciary's of the city, and I think it is important that half a million people have access to affordable transportation to and from Chicago," Conway said.