DOLTON, IL — In a dramatic turn of events, the small village of Dolton, located in the south suburbs of Chicago, is facing a leadership crisis after a Cook County judge halted Mayor Tiffany Henyard’s unilateral appointments of key village officials. The court’s decision raises serious questions about governance and accountability in a community already struggling with financial turmoil.
On Wednesday, Judge Thaddeus Wilson issued an injunction that prevents Henyard from making any further appointments without the approval of the village board of trustees. This ruling has left the village without a manager, attorney, or police chief, creating a vacuum of leadership and confusion about who is running Dolton. “The trustees are trying to take back their city from a rogue mayor,” noted David Greising, CEO of the Better Government Association, underscoring the tension between elected officials.
The situation has intensified following a limited investigation led by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who revealed that Dolton’s general fund is in the red to the tune of $3.65 million. Trustees hired Lightfoot to scrutinize Henyard’s spending habits, which reportedly include lavish taxpayer-funded promotions and unaccounted Amazon purchases totaling $40,000 in a single day.
As the community grapples with these revelations, the FBI has also opened its own investigation into the financial practices at Dolton Village Hall. The lack of transparency and accountability has left residents and local leaders worried about the long-term consequences of Henyard’s actions.
“The aftermath of this mayor’s conduct is going to be a bill the residents of Dolton have to deal with for many years to come,” Greising warned. With the village now in disarray, residents are left wondering who will steer the ship back to calmer waters.
In the absence of a clear leader, the village trustees have become the de facto governing body—when they can achieve a quorum. The ongoing saga of Dolton politics serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when accountability falters in local government.
Residents and observers are left asking, “Who’s really in charge?” As the story unfolds, it’s clear that the future of Dolton hangs in the balance. Stay tuned for updates on this evolving situation as it captures national attention.
