Illinois City Draws The Line: No Trick-Or-Treating Beyond Age 12

Since you rarely invite me over, I really have no idea what Halloween is like at your house. I don't know if you welcome trick-or-treaters during designated trick-or treating hours or not, I have no clue what kind of candy you buy, and I don't know if you have any household rules on who gets Halloween candy at your door and who doesn't.

All are welcome at our place, but I will confess to questioning some of the trick-or-treaters we've had show up at our door over the years. Most notably, the three young men in their early 20s who showed up last year with no costumes (just jeans and sweatshirts) and just one rumpled Target bag for candy collection between the 3 of them.

After they rang the bell, I opened the door and was greeted by one of them, not with the standard "Trick or Treat!" but by simply shaking the Target bag in my face. I pointed out our house rule of "No costume, no trick-or-treat, no service." Then I pointed at 125 pounds of dog standing behind me and told them the dog gets very angry when that rule is broken.

They left.

With this costume, no one knew that Gary was 43 years old. (Getty Images)

I Could Have Saved My Dog And Myself Trouble If Only We Lived In The Illinois City That Has Banned Trick-Or-Treating By Anyone Over The Age Of 12

It's no secret that many communities here in Illinois and throughout the nation set designated hours for trick-or-treating (here in Rockford it's Tuesday, October 31st, from 5:30pm-7:30pm), but from time to time we hear of a city or town that has taken a tougher position on going door to door for candy on Halloween night.

Here in Illinois, that city or town would be Belleville.

Illinois Policy.org:

Belleville has an age restriction: nobody older than 12 can trick-or-treat. Violators can face a fine of up to $1,000. On days other than Halloween, Belleville residents older than 12 need permission from the chief of police to wear a costume in public if it “conceals the identity.”
So, if you want to have a costume party on the weekend before Halloween, you better get permission – or lawyer up.

From the Belleville city codes:

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person over 12 years of age to appear in or upon any of the streets, highways, alleys, public parks or other places of the city in any mask or disguise whereby the identity of such person is concealed, without permission of the Mayor or Chief of Police on days other than Halloween.

(2) (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to appear on the streets, highways, public homes, private homes or public places in the city to make trick or treat visitations; except that, this section shall not apply to children who attend any public, private, parochial school or equivalent to include home schooled student(s) in the eighth grade and under on Halloween night.

Sorry gramps, keep walking. (Getty Images)

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