An agreement was reached at the DeKalb City Council meeting Monday night that will likely ban smoking in all public places in DeKalb beginning Sept. 1, 2007.

Pending a Feb. 27 vote, smoking will be banned starting Sept. 1, 2006 in all public places except private clubs, tobacco shops and establishments with either class A or class J liquor licenses.

There were no objections to the compromise, evidenced by the muted tone in the council room.

Voting against the smoking ban were 4th Ward Council Member Donna Gorski and 7th Ward Alderman James Barr.

“I would like to push the date back further for a ban, but I can tell the votes aren’t there,” Barr said.

The dates were determined by license limitations and to allow a transitory period.

“It is my opinion that nothing can be done until current liquor licenses expire on Aug. 31,” said DeKalb City Attorney Norma Guess.

Passing a smoking ban for restaurants without a liquor license was determined to be unfair.

Liquor licenses are good for one year and the terms of which are legally difficult to amend, Guess said.

The official vote comes at the next council meeting Feb. 27.