Van Buer’s direction for the liquor commission

The mayor told liquor commission members he wants change in DeKalb with the commission playing a vital role.

“We need a liquor commission with backbone,” Van Buer said.

DeKalb is no longer a small town and is in need of a person solely dedicated to working with liquor ordinances and enforcement, he said. The city needs to stand up and make it clear to all liquor license holders that they do not own the license.

The commission’s response:

“A fresh outlook would help so much,” said Gerald Phillips, member of the liquor commission.

Phillips has been a member since its inception under the Chronopoulos administration and said the commission did not seem to have the support of the city council in the past.

Another member, George Shur, said he agrees there is a need for a deputy liquor commissioner but DeKalb needs to discuss releasing the cap on Class A liquor licenses first.

“We could phase them in over time, then let capitalism take over,” he said.

Matthew Kapustianyk, the representative for NIU students on the liquor commission, said DeKalb has been ready for another Class A liquor license for the last couple years.

Liquor Commission Chair Jeff Whelan said the new deputy commissioner position needs to have some authority to be able to do the job well.