For the first time in several weeks, the Village of Dolton reached quorum and held a public meeting Wednesday evening as trustees and Mayor Tiffany Henyard were finally under the same roof.
This comes after weeks of canceled and delayed meetings due to security concerns. The Illinois attorney general also ruled that the village was violating the open meetings law, forcing Dolton to meet in a larger park district building until further notice.
“It’s a shame for Dolton. Why don’t you resign? one resident said during a public comment, criticizing Henyard, who is under investigation by the FBI.
Henyard clashed this year with the majority of administrators over expenses, the village budget and the fate of the village’s finances, which suffers from a deficit of nearly $3 million.
Henyard has denied any wrongdoing in the federal investigation, as well as a separate administrator-sponsored investigation led by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
Henyard also spent part of Wednesday sending a social media message to President-elect Donald Trump, according to her Facebook page, inviting Trump to meet with her to discuss issues in Thornton Township.
“Congratulations to President Trump!!” Henyard wrote on Facebook. “I have a lot of good ideas and I believe we can work together for the common good. Let’s make America great again. I also sent you a message. Check your inbox.
At Wednesday’s meeting, Henyard, who is running for reelection early next year, predicted a victory.
“Just like Trump, I’m facing a landslide,” she said. “Unfortunately, the Democrats did not do their job.”
One of his opponents in the mayor’s race, Trustee Jason House, criticized the mayor and said at Wednesday’s meeting that Henyard was making life difficult for small businesses in Dolton.
“Dolton is the only community where, to get a business license or a liquor license, you need a lawyer,” House said, echoing a common complaint from vendors and small businesses.
Wednesday’s meeting featured an hours-long agenda, during which Henyard also decided to hire a new village police chief, but that hire already faces legal challenges.
The village council rejected Henyard’s selection for Police Chief Ronald Burge Sr., although he will be allowed to serve for 30 days in an interim role as legal challenges mount.
