Congress Theater: 16 teens arrested after illegal rave

Sixteen teenagers, aged 13 to 19, were arrested on Friday night at the vacant Congress Theater in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. Police responded to a trespassing call in the 2100 block of North Milwaukee Avenue around 8:15 p.m., noting that several individuals attempted to flee upon their arrival.

Each teenager faces one misdemeanor count of criminal trespassing. Additionally, four individuals were charged with reckless conduct, and two received citations for possessing pellet guns.

The incident follows an unsanctioned rave held at the venue on August 8, which was shut down by police without arrests at that time. Alderman Daniel La Spata criticized the unauthorized gatherings, stating that participants caused significant damage to the building, which has been vacant since 2013. He noted that the damage substantially increases the costs of the theater’s planned rehabilitation, a project supported by a $25.2 million federal loan and city grants intended to transform the site into an entertainment, retail, and residential space.