WHAT’S Next FOr the Future of Dolton After POLITICAL CORRUPTION AND PUblic UnREST Part 1
By Amir A.H. Shakur
Feb 4, 2025, 10:00 PM CST
|Updated 2 hours ago
(Credit Image: © Kyle Mazza/NurPhoto via ZUMA Press)
DOLTON,IL ― Mayor Tiffany Heynard, who is dubbed as America’s ‘worst mayor’, has been involved in a tumultuous relationship and run that has led many concerned citizens and activists to demand her dismissal. For those who are unaware, various residents, employees, and business owners have alleged that Henyard was using her position to retaliate against perceived political opposition, including alleged use by Henyard of the village police force to harass businesses whose owners had not supported her and extorted campaign contributions from business owners.
She (Henyard) has also been accused of firing several village employees for political reasons. Besides mismanagement, large levels of public funds which had gone missing or unaccounted for. Other issues include extravagant trips to Las Vegas, New York City and other places to some in the circles consider unreasonable and unnecessary.
Thornton Township Salary, and decrease for future supervisors
According to Thornton Township records, Henyard (pictured, below) coincidentally has a dual responsibility. Her annual salary as supervisor is $224,000. This amount has been equal to her predecessor’s salary since 2017.
In December 2023, at Henyard’s urging, the township adopted a resolution. This will result in a future 90% decrease to the supervisor’s salary. This decrease will only take effect for the next supervisor. The supervisor’s salary will remain the same as long as Henyard’s tenure continues. Although Henyard will retain a salary of $224,000 as long as she remains in office, any successor will be paid $22,400 per year for the same position. Salary decreases were also approved for future township trustees. Current incumbents will keep their salaries as long as they continue to hold office.
(Credit Image: Henyard Facebook
Electoral CHALLENGES IN Dolton and Thornton Township
Henyard faces a challenge in her bid for a second term as Dolton’s mayor, and it appears her only option to secure a full term as Thornton Township Supervisor would be through a write-in campaign after not being slated for the Feb. 25 primary.
On December 3, 2025, many observed a somewhat controversial public meeting. Current appointed Supervisor Tiffany Henyard was shouted down by the gymnasium full of residents. They even started singing “na, na, nana, na, na, nana, hey hey hey, goodbye.” They sang this to her while she attempted to speak. a signal that Henyard’s “reign of terror” may soon be over in Thornton Township.
The named replacement and lead candidate is the slate headed by Napoleon Harris. Democrats nominated him for Supervisor to be on the ballot for township elected positions in the spring 2025 election.
What IS The Future PATH FORWARD for Thornton Township AND DOLTON
In less than three weeks, the Thornton Township Elections will be held. This will occur within the same time frame during the last week of February. The Dolton Challenge to Mayor Tiffany Henyard will involve a group led by Dolton Mayor Pro Tem Jason House. Coincidentally-This is also a group of current Trustees who were once loyalist to Tiffany Henyard.
According to information from the Lansing Journal taken from the campaign website, House is a lifelong resident of Dolton. He has eight years of service as a Village Trustee. The release states that his decision to run for Mayor is inspired by a passion for progress. He envisions a brighter future for all Dolton residents.
Running with House are current trustees Kiana Belcher and Brittney Norwood and former trustee Edward Steave. Completing the slate is current Village Clerk Alison Key.
(Credit Image: Clean House 2025 Website)
What ARE THE SAFEGUARDS to PREVENT Future CORRUPTION IN Thornton Township and Dolton?
I, along with many others, believe the Village of Dolton will elect new and motivated leadership. But, They will have to make several other significant changes. These changes will make it more difficult for the next person or group in the Office who considers violating the public trust.
Multiple factors for Dolton Officials to combat the future political corruption, should include:
- A System to Detect and Oppose Lack of Transparency and Accountability: Government processes become opaque when they lack transparency. Corruption thrives when officials are not held responsible for their actions.
- Support and encourage Citizenship by advancing Independent Civil Institutions and Organizations. The rule of law becomes weak and institutions become ineffective when corrupt officials can act with impunity. Accountable are needed to Hold The Officials from Embezzlement. (AHOE)
- Greed and Self-Interest: The desire for personal gain can motivate individuals to engage in corrupt activities. Please continue to seek and instill accounting structures-without those resources in place corruption can and may largely continue.
- Political Culture: In some societies, corruption is normalized or even tolerated, making it difficult to combat.
One positive is that the flurry of social media has opened people’s eyes. It revealed exactly what Henyard and her team have done. It also showed how devastating her tenure has been to the city. (glg)
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