Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
The Reality of Holiday Weekend Arrests in Chicago
Labor Day weekend in Chicago is a time of crowded celebrations, parades, and heavy nightlife activity. From downtown bars to neighborhood gatherings in Little Village, Uptown, and South Shore, police presence is heightened. Law enforcement is under pressure to reduce accidents, keep order, and send a message of zero tolerance for crime during holiday weekends. As a result, arrests often spike across Cook County.
Illinois law categorizes crimes as misdemeanors or felonies depending on severity. For example, Class A misdemeanorslike first-time DUI or retail theft under $500 can mean up to a year in jail and $2,500 in fines. Felonies — such as aggravated battery, burglary, or drug distribution — carry prison terms ranging from one year for a Class 4 felony up to decades for Class X felonies. The seriousness of charges filed over Labor Day depends on the incident, but police often err on the side of harsher charges when crowds and alcohol are involved.
