A contentious political showdown in Illinois leads to a significant power shift for a controversial local leader.
According to the New York Post, Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard, often referred to as the "super mayor," lost her Democratic nomination for Thornton Township supervisor during a historic caucus on Tuesday night, with Illinois state Sen. Napoleon Harris securing an overwhelming victory.
The defeat came after Henyard failed to meet basic nomination requirements, lacking a certified assessor on her ticket. The Democratic Party rules mandate that all nominees must present a complete slate of eight people, including positions for supervisor, highway director, clerk, assessor, and four trustees.
The transition from a primary to a caucus system, implemented by Harris in his role as Thornton Township Democratic Committeeman, marked the first such gathering in decades.
This significant change in the nomination process sparked immediate tension and resistance from Henyard's camp. The party also introduced new guidelines prohibiting supervisor nominees from pursuing multiple positions simultaneously.
Harris defended the caucus system's legitimacy and fairness, emphasizing its traditional role in township politics. He maintained that the process provided adequate opportunities for voter participation and followed established democratic procedures.
Following her defeat, Henyard expressed her displeasure with the process. According to witnesses, she stated: "You didn't run none of this the right way. Illegal, Napoleon."
The political setback comes amid mounting scrutiny over Henyard's financial management practices. Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's investigation into Dolton's finances unveiled troubling findings about the village's fiscal health. The probe revealed a dramatic decline in Dolton's general fund balance, which plummeted from $5.61 million in 2022 to a $3.65 million deficit by May 2024.
Investigation records detailed questionable spending patterns, including substantial personal purchases using the village credit card at various retailers. One particularly notable transaction showed a single-day Amazon purchase totaling $33,000 in January 2023.
The financial investigation has raised serious concerns about potential embezzlement and political targeting of opponents. These allegations have cast a shadow over Henyard's administration as she continues her campaign for re-election as Dolton mayor.
While Henyard retains the option to pursue the Township supervisor position as either a write-in or independent candidate in April's election, she has not indicated any plans to do so. Instead, her immediate response to the caucus defeat included threats of legal action against all parties involved in the process.
The political landscape in Thornton Township continues to evolve as Harris assumes the Democratic nomination. His victory represents a significant shift in local politics and potentially signals a new direction for township leadership.
The controversy surrounding the caucus and its aftermath highlights the complex nature of local political processes and the challenges facing democratic institutions at the municipal level.
