During a recent city council meeting in DeKalb, significant discussions arose regarding a proposed ordinance that would allow the sale of alcohol in barbershops and beauty salons. Mark Charbot, a local business owner, expressed concerns about perceived favoritism and hypocrisy in the council's handling of alcohol sales requests. He highlighted that while gas station owners had their requests for liquor sales denied, a proposal for barbershops emerged shortly after the grand opening of a new barbershop owned by an appointed alderman, raising questions about transparency and potential conflicts of interest.

Charbot noted that during a recent ward meeting, community members did not express a desire for alcohol sales in these establishments, instead focusing on issues such as crime and proposed tax increases. He criticized the lack of clarity regarding which alderman requested the agenda item, suggesting that this lack of transparency could lead to public distrust and speculation about quid pro quo arrangements.

The council also addressed several routine agenda items, including the approval of a consent agenda and two resolutions related to economic incentives for property improvements. The first resolution authorized a TIF fund grant for roof repairs at a property on South Third Street, while the second provided a non-TIF loan for renovations at a location on East Lincoln Highway. Both resolutions received unanimous support from the council members present.

As the meeting progressed, the council moved through its agenda without any public hearings or significant considerations beyond the discussed resolutions. The discussions surrounding the alcohol sales proposal, however, underscored ongoing tensions regarding transparency and fairness in local governance.