the hours for trick or treating in Oak Lawn have always been too long and too vague. I don't know where they're posted, but it seems to be a free-for-all, whenever the kids feel like going.

I do not understand why there is a curfew for one of the greatest holidays of all time? If you ask me, its a dumb idea! Its like saying "What time should we end Christmas?".

When I was a kid, I used to Trick or Treat until my legs were numb. Also, when I was younger, the best time to do all the Trick or Treating was at Night!

It makes me mad that concerned parents want to ruin the holiday for the rest of us. If you are worried about your kids, go with them! My parents always came with my and my sisters, and we turned out okay!

Just go back to the old fashioned way! Check on the kids candy, do safety precautions, like flashlights and such...

And speaking of flashlights, if you lower the curfew, think about how much business will be hurt. There are companies who make Halloween Themed Flashlights and safety gear. What is the whole point of making those items if the kids can't stay out a little later.

I say neglect this idea! It will ruin the holiday for people who love it, and it will ruin the fun for the kids who want to go trick or treating, and it will ruin businesses.

Years ago I lived in a 'burb where the trick or treat time was always done the Sunday closest to Halloween between 2-6. I thought this was ridiculously intrusive at first, but then grew to like it. It turned into an impromptu block party where the adults were able to enjoy themselves as well as the little monsters.

True, it's not like when I grew up in Oak Lawn when we roamed all over town, sometimes still ringing doorbells as late as 9p or 10p, but times are different now. 8pm seems perfectly reasonable as a stopping time to me. And think about that Sunday idea....it was really a pretty cool thing.

I vote to leave the hours as they are

Dan, I don't know what years your childhood covered, but it's a whole different world now. It's changed just in the last 10 years. Whether they are accompanied by parents or not, there are plenty of nutty drivers in OL who think signs for stopping and speed limits are suggestions. Besides, ever see how much candy a kid tosses out the week after Halloween? Maybe the fun is in the hunt, but considering they get out of school around 3:30 or 4:00 at the latest, giving them a couple hours to run around the neighborhood is plenty.

Since it's on a weekday, I think it's fine. Working parents need time to get home and get their kids dressed to go out and still have time to take them around. It's when it is on a weekend when hours are Noon to 8 p.m. that it's way too long.

DLC Dave, are you suggesting that Halloween is a pagon holiday and for that reason it should not be celebrated? Well what child thinks or know the true meaning of the holiday anyways? To a child Halloween is a time to dress up and get lots of candy, not about ghosts or goblins! Why does religion have to be thrown into everything we do??? It is a fun holiday for all!!!

Look people! Halloween is a fun time for kids (and adults from time to time) to dress up and go to people's houses to load up with free candy. The kids absolutely love it. Let them be kids and continue to love it. Most schools in district 123 have a half day so I say let the kids start trick-or-treating on their way home from school at 1130am. If people are not home, then the kids can come back later. If you shorten the time at night, it doesn't give working parents enough time to get home and get their kids out. Those of you who are worried about crazies, go with your kids. That's the best thing you can do. If you kids think they are too big to have you walk with them, then drive along or walk where you can see them. LET THE KIDS GET THEIR CANDY AND HAVE FUN DRESSING UP. THAT'S WHAT HALLOWEEN IS ALL ABOUT TO KIDS. Don't analyze it into something it's not.

Now go out and get yourselves a costume and have some fun. Don't sit there moaning.

Ditto to "ME". Let's enjoy life, and Halloween is a day in life!

I had a kid knock on my door at 12 noon last year...I was still in my pjs! Even 3 pm I find a bit early, personally. I don't want to be running to the door all day long. A few evening hours are fine to me.

Has everyone forgotten what being a child is all about? Please think back when you were a child! Right now everything is in an uproar in our economy at least lets try and keep things solid with the children. LET THEM HAVE THEIR FUN

If the parents are with the little ones then make it until 8PM. It's difficult to come home from work and then if the time is too early it's too late for them to go out. They should make a curfew for the teens and let me clarify not all teens are overly rambunctious but then so many of them just want to throw toilet paper in the trees and shaving cream all over everything. If you tell me your going to clean it up then maybe I'll change my mind but I don't think that will happen.

Bigger government is bigger trouble. If you want to change the times remember that at election time. it looks like 68% of the people are against a change. See you at election time.

BUTT out Village goverment-----Parents are quite capable of taking care of their kids

Being a parent and wanting to enjoy the entire day of fun with my girls... I really like the Sunday idea!!
The only thing that really bugs me is when my lights are off, please don't ring my bell or yell on my porch... I'm either out of candy and can't "treat" you or I'm trying to get my kids ready for bed... so respect the lights out please!

My kids will go from the time they get out of school till about 8pm = at that point i shut my outdoor light off and end the evening. I'm with my kids while they are out having fun and discourage going to houses that are dark. The Village if given the chance will set up times rather than suggesting times and would probably tax us if they could - (If you plan to hand out candy buy a permit for 5.00) Halloween is supposed to be fun - Parents be responsible for your kids. Enjoy the holiday

My children have grown and left. I am in my fifties. I have lived in this town since 1960. I see no reason to change the time. Not all parents have the luxury to come home early to take their little one out in the evening. Just because I can be home before 4 does not mean the single parent who takes the train has the same luxury. The government moved daylaight savings time back one week to accomodate Halloween. What ever happends with vandals is happening after 8 when it is dark. If Alex wants to curtail criminal activity he can do so by suggesting a Halloween curfew of 8 PM for all children (16 years and under) every October 31. I think every home owner would not object to that.

To the rest of my neighbors who want to see it end at 7. Its only once a year . Your children enjoyed the same time. It is time for your younger neighbors to enjoy the same benefits you (and I) had.

Im in my fifties. I own my own home. Children come and ring my bell. My house has been egged, My car has been egged. It angers me; but it does not change me. I am not ready to turn into "ol man Potter". If you disagree, I am guessing that you are the neighbor who gave me the candy in the black or orange wrapper (that no one ever ate). I still think I have some of them in my old dresser at my mothers house.

I always hated the candy that came in the orange and black wrappers. They were always the last thing I'd eat out of my trick or treat bag.

It is a responsibility to allow your children out and trust them. Curfew? Not sure. I always leave my porch lite on until I am done or out of "treats." In the 34 years we have lived here, there has never been a problem. So leave it alone.

They voted it in with Carol as the only dissenting vote.

So what is the new curfew?

We have 9.1% unemployment,rising taxes,demonstrations,wars going on, global economic troubles,and yet we have 40 comments about Halloween hours??? Who cares!!! Please let's get some priorities straight. Besides Halloween is really a pagan holiday which commerates the day of the dead oct.31st.

People, listen up!

If you don't believe that the curfew should be 7, I say let your kids out after 7! Show the Trustees that nothing bad will happen to them around that time!

Show the Trustees what it means to actually celebrate Halloween! If you all think that it is unfair that the Trustees are doing this, then I say disregard the curfew, go with your kids at night, and have one hell of a good time going door to door while saying "Trick or Treat"!

If you agree with this, you can reply, or copy this message and post it again, it doesn't matter! We need to be heard, and Damn it all, Kids need to be kids and have fun!