DeKALB | The recent liquor legislation and the smoking ban concerned citizens about overregulation.

The DeKalb City Council is not considering a ban on trans-fat like the proposed ban in New York, said 2nd Ward Alderman Kris Povlsen.

“It’s the individual choice of members of the community to choose a healthy lifestyle or whatever citizens see fit,” said 7th Ward Alderman James Barr.

“The mission o f a city council is to protect the health, safety and welfare of a community,” Povlsen said.

There is not a law set in place to prevent any over-regulation, said DeKalb City Attorney Norma Guess.

DeKalb is a home-rule municipality because it has 25,000 or more people within its boundaries. Home-rule municipalities have any power not prohibited under state law, Guess said.

Alderman Povlsen justified the recent restrictions and said some sacrifices are necessary.

“It’s because we live in a community where we have common goals and sometimes our rights are infringed upon,” Povlsen said. “There are usually good reasons. Health, safety and welfare of a community is why any law is passed usually.”

If the city council wants to make a change, they check with the city legal department to see if there is a state ordinance on it. If the state statute limits home-rule municipalities on the issue, DeKalb’s government would need to follow that state statute as is. If it allows home-rule municipalities to make restrictions, DeKalb’s can either follow the state statute as is or can make restrictions as needed, Guess said.

“It’s the duty of the city council to at least look into [an issue].” Povlsen said. “We didn’t ban smoking, people can smoke if they want to smoke. [Some] people are seeing the wrong side. It’s the government intervention that people don’t like.”

One student hasn’t noticed a difference since the recent smoking ban took effect.

“I don’t really notice anything [different],” said Sara Bright, senior textiles, apparel and merchandising major. “I’m not a smoker, I don’t enjoy smoking, so anything to clear the airway is alright with me.”

Michelle Gilbert is a City Reporter for the Northern Star.