Updated 4.29.2023

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Guidelines for Attending a Party

• Know where your teen will be.
  • Get the party host’s address and phone number.
  • Let your teen know you expect a phone call if the location of the party is changed. (Tip: Have your teen take a selfie with an adult at the party and send it to you).
• Contact the parents of the teen giving the party.
  • Verify the occasion.
  • Be sure that a parent will be present.
  • Offer assistance.
• Communicate concerns.
  • Discuss with your teen the possible situations that might arise at parties with other teenagers.
  • Let them know where you can be reached.
  • Assure your teenager that you, or a specified friend or neighbor can be called if needed.
  • Agree on an acceptable curfew.
  • Wait up until your teen comes home and check in with them, so you can see, hear and smell any concerns.
• Verify overnight arrangements whether planned or spontaneous.

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Guidelines for Hosting a Party

• Parents must be present during the party. No parents, no party!
  A home minus adult supervision is asking for trouble. As parents we have a parental, as well as legal responsibility to our children to see that parties are conducted in a safe manner.
• Set ground rules with your teen beforehand.
  • Let your teen know your expectations; they want guidelines.
  • Discuss the risks of and a plan for any underage use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs, should they occur.
  • Give your children options but at the same time establish parameters.
  • Remind your kids that they are accountable for their own behavior.
• Set limits. “Limits are love.”
  • Make a guest list in an effort to discourage uninvited guests.
  • Establish a specific starting and ending time. (Check curfew regulations in these guidelines, the state and your municipality).
• Know your responsibilities.
  Understand your liability, as parents, for both criminal charges and for monetary damages in case of a civil lawsuit where drugs and/or alcohol are used on our own private property. Therefore:
  • Be alert to the signs of alcohol or other drug use.
  • Be aware of guests who leave the party and then return.
    Experience shows that in many instances guests who have left the party have the intent of drinking or using drugs.
  • If you feel that despite your precautions things do get out of hand, i.e., loud music or disruptive behavior, please do not hesitate to call your local police or 911 for assistance.
  • If you find any persons under the influence, call their family so that they can be safely transported home.
• Other ideas:
  • Have plenty of food and non-alcoholic drinks available.
  • Try to meet your teen’s friends, their parents or caregivers.

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State and City Ordinances

Teens and parents should know that the license of a 16-year-old driver is not valid when driving in violation of state curfew hours.

Curfew

Local law enforcement officials enforce the curfew hours established by state law. It is unlawful for anyone under 17 to be present in a public place after 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, or after midnight Friday and Saturday, unless accompanied by a parent or other adult, 18 or older (City of Aurora Code: 21 or older) approved by the parent. It is also unlawful for parents or other adults to knowingly permit youth in their custody to violate these curfews, unless going to or directly from employment, school sponsored or religious activity, or in an emergency.

Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs and the Law

Here is a summary of several Illinois laws and local ordinances on possession and the use of alcohol and other drugs by minors, and to adult responsibilities.

Tobacco 21

The legal age to purchase cigarettes, vaping products including e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and other nicotine-based products is age 21, a nationwide law.

Drug Paraphernalia Violation-Vaping, Etc.

Aurora Municipal Code penalties for possession in any location including school property of any drug paraphernalia (including vaping devices and supplies) seized shall be a civil law violation punishable by a minimum fine of $100. E-cigarette/vaping devices for nicotine delivery confiscated from those under 21 may be tested for THC by law enforcement officers.

Zero Tolerance

Any person under the age of 21 who has consumed alcohol and operated or been in actual physical control of a motor vehicle may be requested to submit to tests to determine alcohol content. If that person refuses the test or has a blood-alcohol concentration greater than .00 their driver’s license will be suspended for 3 months to 1 year.

Parental or Guardian Social Host Prohibition

Illegal to Facilitate the Underage Use of Cannabis

It is illegal for those under 21 to recreationally use, possess, or transport cannabis or any THC compound in any amount or form or to grow marijuana. It is unlawful for any person to facilitate the recreational use of cannabis by a person who is under the age of 21. It is unlawful to transfer (give or sell) cannabis to a person under 21 unless the recipient has an Illinois medical cannabis card. State criminal penalties for unlawful delivery of cannabis apply under 720 ILCS 550/5.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of Alcohol/Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID)

It is unlawful for a person under the influence of alcohol or an intoxicating compound- including prescribed medications- to drive. Driving while under the influence of alcohol is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a minimum fine of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to one year. Any person who drives a motor vehicle anywhere in the state of Illinois thereby consents to a test to determine the alcoholic/drug content of his/her blood. If a person refuses to submit to the test his/her license will automatically be suspended for at least one year. DUID is prosecuted under the same statute as a DUI offense.

Illegal Transportation of Open Liquor/Cannabis

It is unlawful for anyone to transport, carry, possess, or have any alcoholic liquor within the passenger area of any motor vehicle except in the original container and with the seal unbroken. Regardless of whom the alcohol belongs to, all who are in the vehicle may be charged with illegal transportation. If possessing cannabis while driving a motor vehicle, those under 21 may may be subject to a driver’s license suspension under the Illinois Vehicle Code. DUI Cannabis enforcement impairment tests may include divided attention tests, behavioral indicators, smell or presence of cannabis, admission of cannabis use, or 5 nanograms of THC in the blood.

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Local Ordinances

Presence, Possession, or Purchase of Alcoholic Liquor by Minors (City of Naperville Ordinance)

Presence Restriction: It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of nineteen (19) to be or to remain in any room, apartment, house, place or vehicle which is not licensed for the sale of alcoholic liquor under this Chapter, when such person knows alcoholic liquor is being consumed by persons under the age of 19 years. Possession by Minors: No parent or other person shall intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or negligently give or deliver alcoholic liquor to, or permit possession of alcoholic liquor by, his child, or any other person under the age of twenty-one (21).

WARNING TO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 21

You are subject to a fine up to $500.00 under the ordinances of the City of Naperville if you purchase or attempt to purchase alcoholic liquor, or misrepresent your age for the purpose of purchasing or obtaining alcoholic liquor.

Parental Responsibility—Alcohol

Parents are prohibited from giving or providing alcoholic beverages to their minor children or any individual under the age of 21 (unless such consumption is in the performance of a religious service or ceremony and is accompanied by close parental supervision). Further, parents who believe with some probability that their minor children have consumed or will consume alcoholic liquor shall restrain said minor from operating a motor vehicle and/or engaging in any acts of vandalism, theft, or disorderly conduct. Violations of these provisions will result in fines of not less than $200 nor more than $1,000 for each offense.

Consequences for Prohibited Substances at School Events, in Buildings, on Grounds or During Bus/Transport

Students who purchase, possess, receive, deliver or consume any alcohol or intoxicating compound that is not prescribed to them, or possess any related paraphernalia, risk facing serious consequences including school disciplinary action and possibility of civil or criminal charges resulting in penalties and fines. Those under 21 who are charged and convicted of drug or alcohol-related offenses resulting in court supervision/conviction, also risk jeopardizing driving privileges licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office.

The Power of Choice is designed to:

• Reduce youth alcohol and other substance use.
• Correct misperceptions about the risk of harm and prevalence of use.
• Encourage family communication about not using alcohol and other substances.
• Provide tools for parents to help them talk with their kids about not using alcohol and other substances.

According to the 2022 Illinois Youth Survey of District 203 and 204 students, most high school students are making healthy choices regarding alcohol, marijuana, and other drug use.

The Power of Choice is a project of 360 Youth Services, Naperville Community Unit School District 203, Indian Prairie School District 204, Naperville Police Department, KidsMatter and District 203 & 204 parents.

Funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

This information is intended as an aid for parents in establishing guidelines for teenagers in regard to hosting or attending gatherings and parties. Please contact us if you become aware of changes to our local ordinances and laws impacting this information. Thank you.