50-cent drafts at bars will survive at least two more weeks.

The debate about the legislation entitled “Happy Hour Prohibited” was not amended to increase prices at Monday night’s DeKalb City Council meeting.

By a vote of five to three the council extended the discussion of raising the minimum liquor price until the next council meeting September 11.

Proposed adjustments to the legislation could put an end to 50-cent draft night by charging eight cents per ounce of beer instead of the current four cents.

A 10-ounce draft beer would have to cost at least 80 cents versus the current 40-cent minimum.

Hard liquor could also double from 50 cents per ounce to $1.

The lowest price set by the city does not include any local, state or federal taxes.

7th Ward Alderman James Barr is unsure of regulating liquor prices in the city government.

“I’m strongly personally torn over this (the proposed legislation),” said Barr.

Barr asked City Attorney Norma Guess if other similar communities had minimum liquor prices.

Champaign, Macomb and Normal do not have similar legislation, but added those communities do not have the price wars like DeKalb, Guess said.

Ben Gordon Rehabilitation Center employee Kris Povlsen advocated the increase.

“Human behavior says the cheaper the product the more it is going to be consumed,” said 2nd Ward Alderman Povlsen. “I support the mayor’s position because I understand the nature of alcohol.”

Bar owners on the southeast section of town told one council member the legislation would not affect them.

“I have discussed this with bar owners and they have said ‘It’s not going to affect me,'” stated 4th Ward Council Member Donna Gorski.

DeKalb’s movement towards revising the liquor code has been spearheaded by Mayor Frank Van Buer.

“I don’t see how we can stand proud if we encourage people to misuse their hours and their minds,” said Van Buer.

Van Buer alluded that more changes to the liquor code can be expected in the future. One proposed amendment to the liquor code specified ground rules for outdoor events: only one outdoor permit per day with the exception of nonprofit events.

As the meeting came to a close, 3rd Ward Alderman Steve Kapitan lent some advice to those concerned about city issues.

“When people speak up, things can happen,” said Kapitan.