Tiffany Henyard, the controversial mayor of Dolton, Illinois, suffered a blow to her political career on Tuesday night, as she lost the Democratic nomination for Thornton Township supervisor in a historic caucus. Henyard, who is currently embroiled in multiple investigations involving alleged embezzlement and corruption, was notably absent from the ballot. The reason? She failed to meet a key requirement for the caucus — having a certified assessor on her ticket. According to the Democratic Party’s rules, candidates running for supervisor must present a complete slate, which includes eight positions: supervisor, highway director, clerk, assessor, and four trustees. Without a certified assessor, Henyard’s name was excluded from the race.
The caucus, held for the first time in decades, marked a turning point in local politics. Illinois State Senator Napoleon Harris, who also serves as the Democratic committeeman for Thornton Township, won the nomination in a landslide. The process, however, did not sit well with Henyard, who was heard venting her frustration after the results were announced.
“You didn’t run none of this the right way,” Henyard shouted. “Illegal, Napoleon.”
Henyard’s anger was directed at Harris, who made the decision to shift the nomination process from a primary to a caucus. The move was the first of its kind in Thornton Township in decades, and it raised questions about the fairness of the procedure. Harris defended the caucus, insisting that the decision was made in the best interest of the party and that voters had been given a fair opportunity to express their preferences. “People in Thornton Township may be new to caucuses because they haven’t had them in a while, but this has been the tradition for many other townships around the state,” Harris said.
Despite her exclusion from the ballot, Henyard still has a chance to run for the Thornton Township supervisor position in the upcoming election. She could potentially file as a write-in candidate or run as an independent, though she has not yet indicated whether she plans to take that route. After losing the caucus nomination, Henyard expressed her intention to pursue legal action, stating that she would be suing everyone involved in the process.
The loss of the Democratic nomination is just the latest setback for Henyard, who has been under intense scrutiny due to several scandals during her time as Dolton’s mayor. Among the most serious accusations against her are allegations of embezzling funds from the village and politically targeting her opponents. Henyard’s office has been the subject of multiple investigations, including one led by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
In a preliminary report, Lightfoot’s investigation revealed troubling financial discrepancies within the Village of Dolton. According to the report, the village’s general fund balance stood at $5.61 million in 2022, but by May 2024, the balance had plummeted to a deficit of $3.65 million. Additionally, Lightfoot’s investigation uncovered that Henyard had used the village’s credit card for personal expenses, including purchases from major retailers such as Amazon, Target, Walgreens, and Wayfair. One of the most shocking revelations was that Henyard had spent a staggering $33,000 on Amazon in a single day, January 5, 2023.
The investigation and the mounting scandals have seriously damaged Henyard’s political reputation. Yet, despite the controversy, she is still seeking re-election as Dolton’s mayor. The community’s reaction to Henyard’s ongoing legal troubles and the accusations of corruption remains divided. Some residents continue to support her, while others are calling for her resignation or removal from office.
While Henyard is facing significant challenges, she has not backed down. Her determination to fight for her political career, whether through a lawsuit or an independent bid for supervisor, signals that she is unwilling to let the allegations and her loss in the caucus derail her ambitions. It remains to be seen if voters will give her another chance, or if her scandals will be enough to end her political career.
