Police arrested sixteen teenagers ranging in age from 13 to 19 after responding to a trespassing call at the vacant Congress Theater on the 2100 block of North Milwaukee Avenue. Officers arrived at the historic venue shortly after 8:15 p.m. on Friday, August 14, 2026, and detained the youths on misdemeanor trespassing charges.
The group was taken into custody at the theater’s shuttered entrance and transported to a Chicago police station for processing. All sixteen individuals were cited for the same misdemeanor count, reflecting the city’s standard response to unlawful entry into a private or abandoned property.
The arrests came less than a week after city authorities dismantled an illegal rave held at the same location. That earlier incident prompted a heightened police presence around the theater, which has remained closed and under scrutiny for safety concerns. The recent police response was triggered by a report of individuals inside the building after hours, leading officers to the scene and resulting in the arrests.
The Congress Theater, a landmark structure on North Milwaukee Avenue, has been vacant for several years while owners and city officials discuss its future use. The recent incidents underscore ongoing challenges in securing the property and preventing unauthorized gatherings. The sixteen teens now face the legal consequences of the misdemeanor trespassing charge, which may include fines, community service, or other court‑mandated penalties.
Chicago police have not released the identities of the arrested youths, citing privacy considerations for minors. The department confirmed that the investigation remains open for any additional violations that may have occurred during the incident. The city continues to monitor the vacant theater as it seeks a long‑term solution for the historic site.