It’s understandable that Chicagoans are fed up with the rise in street takeovers, drag racing and drifting, and other illegal activities carried out by minors and young adults. Should there be consequences? Absolutely.
But an ordinance introduced by Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) that would make it a crime for a parent or legal guardian to “willfully or knowingly” allow a minor to engage in offenses such as panhandling, underage drinking and curfew violations and imposing fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, is short-sighted. This approach could, in fact, exacerbate the social, emotional and economic circumstances that are driving these errant behaviors.
