Two DeKalb aldermen representing student wards told members of the Student Association Sunday they will propose an ordinance extending bar hours if they can get the DeKalb City Council’s support.

First Ward Alderman Christine Hoagland and 6th Ward Alderman Michael Neylon, both NIU students, indicated they would like bar hours extended from a closing time of 1 a.m. Thursday to 2 a.m. and from 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday to 3 a.m.

The proposal is contingent on getting four city council votes, and Hoagland and Neylon said they are seeking support from two more aldermen. They said 7th Ward Alderman Mark Powell, who represents a student ward, probably will vote in favor of extending bar hours. Powell could not be reached for comment Monday.

Hoagland and Neylon expressed interest in getting council voting support for the ordinance and passing it quickly because “once the residents find out about it, there is so much fury.”

Several aldermen on the council oppose lengthening bar hours.

“The people in DeKalb don’t feel the students should be going to school to frequent the bars,” said 4th Ward Alderman Rita Tewskbury. “I see no reason for us to extend them (bar hours) any longer.”

Fifth Ward Alderman Bessie Chronopoulos said Hoagland and Neylon have not yet sought her support.

“People often seem to put the drinking issue and students in the same vein,” Chronopoulos said. “I resent that being done because I don’t think the students are one-issue oriented. I think they are interested in other things.”

Chronopoulos said that although she needs to examine the issue before forming an opinion, her constituents living in certain areas oppose extending bar hours. She cited noise and litter problems as primary reasons.

Second Ward Alderman Michael Welsh said he is open minded to a test of bar hour extensions, but he has not made a commitment.

Hoagland and Neylon said once the issue of extending bar hours is resolved they will consider permitting minors in bars. However, at a DeKalb City Council meeting on Sept. 12 they voted, along with other council members, against a proposal by Powell to form a committee to investigate permitting 18-year-olds in bars.