Police Arrest 16 Teens After Illegal Rave at Closed Congress Theater

Chicago police detained sixteen teenagers on Saturday night after a trespassing call led officers to an unauthorized rave inside the abandoned Congress Theater. The incident unfolded at approximately 8:15 p.m. in the 2100 block north of Milwaukee Avenue, a section of Logan Square that has seen recent police activity.

Responding to the call, Chicago Police Department personnel entered the vacant theater and discovered a group of teenagers inside the building. All sixteen individuals were taken into custody on charges of trespassing. No additional offenses were reported at the scene.

The Congress Theater, a historic venue that has been shuttered for months, was previously closed by police roughly a week earlier following a separate illegal rave held at the same location. That earlier event prompted city officials to bar public access to the property pending further investigation and safety assessments.

Law enforcement officials confirmed that the recent gathering was not authorized by the theater’s owners or the city, and that the teenagers had entered the property without permission. The police department has not released the ages of those arrested, referring to them collectively as teenagers.

City officials have reiterated that the theater remains off‑limits to the public while it undergoes evaluation for possible future use. The recent arrests serve as a reminder of the department’s ongoing efforts to enforce trespassing laws and prevent unlicensed events in vacant structures.

The police department did not disclose whether any equipment or substances were found during the raid. All individuals were processed according to standard procedures for trespassing violations. The investigation continues to determine whether additional charges may be appropriate based on the circumstances of the gathering.

The incident adds to a series of recent law‑enforcement actions aimed at curbing illegal gatherings in abandoned buildings across Chicago, particularly in neighborhoods where historic sites are awaiting redevelopment or restoration.