Mayor Tiffany Henyard orders Dolton police to follow her handpicked chief amidst a power struggle, urging them to “stop playing these silly games.”
The Village of Dolton, a south suburban community in Illinois, is currently engulfed in a political power struggle that has led to significant tensions within the local government. At the center of the controversy is Mayor Tiffany Henyard, who is battling to maintain control over the village’s police department amidst growing opposition from the village trustees.
The conflict intensified during an emergency meeting on Thursday, where Henyard addressed the police officers directly, ordering them to continue following the directives of her handpicked police chief, Lewis Lacey. This directive came despite the fact that the village trustees had voted to place Lacey on leave due to a federal bankruptcy fraud charge and allegations that he improperly collected $200,000 in overtime pay.
In a video obtained by WGN Investigates, Henyard can be heard telling the officers,
“Stop playing these silly games.”
Her statement was a clear indication of her frustration with the situation, as she urged the officers to comply with Lacey’s leadership. Chief Lacey, standing beside Henyard, reinforced her message, warning the assembled staff, “Do what you want; but anything after this is insubordination.”
However, the situation is further complicated by conflicting directives from Village Administrator Keith Freeman, a longtime ally of Henyard who has recently distanced himself from her. In an email sent to the police officers before the meeting, Freeman stated that Lacey was “no longer employed by the Village of Dolton” and that he was not permitted in any employee spaces without an escort. Freeman’s communication directly contradicted Henyard’s orders, adding another layer of confusion to the already tumultuous situation.
Freeman, who has served as Henyard’s top aide in both Dolton and Thornton Township, is also facing his own legal challenges. He has been charged with bankruptcy fraud in an unrelated case and has reportedly begun cooperating with the trustees who are investigating Henyard’s leadership and financial management. This development has led to a rift between Freeman and Henyard, who unsuccessfully attempted to fire him during an August 5 village board meeting.
As the power struggle continues, the Illinois Comptroller, Susana Mendoza, announced on Thursday that her office would no longer provide “off-set payments” to Dolton due to the village’s failure to file required annual reports. These payments, which include traffic and parking fines, were expected to total $135,000 this year. Mendoza criticized Henyard’s office for its lack of communication and refusal to address the issue, stating, “If Mayor Henyard refuses to follow state law, my office will use the tools at our disposal to safeguard the interests of Dolton’s citizens.”
Adding to the legal woes, the FBI has served subpoenas on Dolton and Thornton Township, where Henyard serves as supervisor. The subpoenas are part of a broader investigation into spending, contracts, and Henyard’s namesake cancer charity, which has failed to file the necessary paperwork with the Illinois Attorney General.
The ongoing dysfunction and power struggle within Dolton’s government have left many residents frustrated and disillusioned. At an August meeting, one resident expressed their anger by saying, “I wish the FBI was around the corner so they can raid this place because y’all need to go to jail.”
As the conflict escalates, the future of Dolton’s leadership remains uncertain. The power struggle between Mayor Henyard, the village trustees, and the police department has not only disrupted the village’s governance but has also highlighted broader issues of accountability and transparency within the local government. The outcome of this struggle will likely have significant implications for the future of Dolton and its residents.
