Major Controversies Surrounding Tiffany Henyard: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Tiffany Henyard.

Tiffany Henyard is an American politician who served as the mayor of Dolton, Illinois, from 2021 to 2025, and as supervisor of Thornton Township, Illinois, from 2022 to 2025. Prior to these roles, she was a member of the Dolton Village Board of Trustees for two terms, from 2013 to 2021. She was elected as trustee in 2013 and 2017, and later elected as mayor in 2021 before becoming township supervisor through appointment in 2022.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2018: Voted Against Overturning Budget Veto

In 2018, Tiffany Henyard voted against overturning Mayor Rogers's veto of the city’s budget appropriation for the 2018–2019 fiscal year, which resulted in village employee layoffs. She also participated in an unsuccessful legal effort to prevent ballot measures supported by Rogers from appearing on the ballot.

August 2019: Property Issues Reported by WBBM-TV

In August 2019, WBBM-TV reported that a property owned by Tiffany Henyard and rented under the Section 8 housing program had severe mold and water leakage issues.

2019: Budget Veto

In 2019, Tiffany Henyard voted against overturning Rogers's veto of the city’s budget appropriation for the 2018–2019 fiscal year. The board overrode the veto in a 4–2 vote, after which ten village employees were laid off.

October 2021: Appointed Dorothy Brown as Village Administrator

In October 2021, Tiffany Henyard appointed Dorothy Brown as Dolton's village administrator, a decision that drew criticism and resulted in Brown leaving the role within a month.

October 2021: Board Voted on Hiring and Firing Decisions

In October 2021, the board voted to require that hiring and firing decisions be made with its advice and consent after Tiffany Henyard unilaterally made staffing changes.

2021: Criticism and Lawsuit from Village Board

In 2021, Tiffany Henyard faced criticism from members of the Dolton Village Board regarding government transparency and the use of municipal funds, resulting in a lawsuit and a vote to censure her.

2021: Board Voted to Require Henyard to Pay Back Police Protection

In 2021, the board voted to attempt to require Tiffany Henyard to pay the city back for her police protection.

2022: Relations with Elected Officials Deteriorated

By 2022, Relations between Henyard and trustee candidates Kiana Belcher and incumbent Jason House along with village clerk candidate Alison Key deteriorated, who joined other members of the village board in legal actions involving Henyard.

2022: Allegations of Spending Without Approval

By 2022, Tiffany Henyard faced allegations of spending village funds without proper approval from the board of trustees or the village clerk, leading to arguments at council meetings.

2022: Lawsuit Accusing Henyard of Defamation and Wrongful Termination

In 2022, Samysha Williams filed a lawsuit accusing Tiffany Henyard and her campaign of defamation and wrongful termination from her job at the village while taking family leave.

2022: Recall Election Attempt

In 2022, the Dolton Village Board attempted to initiate a recall election, placing two referendum questions on the ballot regarding a recall mechanism and removing Tiffany Henyard from office, but subsequent court rulings determined the referendums were invalid.

2023: Lawsuit Accusing Henyard of Defamation and Wrongful Termination

In 2023, Samysha Williams, a 2023 Dolton village trustee candidate, filed a lawsuit accusing Tiffany Henyard and her campaign of defamation and wrongful termination from her job at the village while taking family leave in 2022.

2023: Fired Police Chief Robert Collins

In 2023, Tiffany Henyard fired Police Chief Robert Collins, whom she had rehired upon taking office.

2023: Alleged Financial Difficulties in Township

In 2023, Tiffany Henyard stated that she had inherited financial difficulties in the township, alleging "ghost employees" and a $5 million budget deficit.

2023: Police Security Detail Cost Reports

In 2023, news outlets reported on Tiffany Henyard’s use of a police security detail, estimating that it had cost the village approximately hundreds of thousands to $1 million.

February 2024: Vehicle Repossession Warning

In February 2024, KS State Bank warned the village that 13 Dolton police department vehicles were subject to repossession over unpaid balances.

February 2024: Board Adopted Resolution Requesting Investigations

In February 2024, the board adopted a resolution requesting investigations by county, state, and federal authorities.

February 2024: Board Overrode Budget Veto

In February 2024, the board of trustees overrode Tiffany Henyard’s veto of the 2024–25 fiscal year budget, which included spending reductions, amidst warnings that Dolton had accumulated approximately $7 million in debt and was at risk of financial insolvency.

March 2024: Investigation by Illinois Department of Human Rights

In March 2024, the Illinois Department of Human Rights investigated claims by Tiffany Henyard’s former assistant, who alleged that Henyard retaliated against her after she reported being sexually assaulted by a village trustee.

April 2024: FBI Inquiry and Lawsuit Defendant

By April 2024, the village was listed as a defendant in nearly 40 active lawsuits. That month, the board hired Lori Lightfoot to review Henyard’s management of public funds.

April 2024: Board Overrode Henyard's Veto

In April 2024, the board overrode Tiffany Henyard's veto of the resolution adopted in February 2024 requesting investigations by county, state, and federal authorities.

December 2024: NBC Chicago Documentary "Super Mayor: The Cost of Chaos in Dolton" Released

In December 2024, an hour-long NBC Chicago documentary titled "Super Mayor: The Cost of Chaos in Dolton" was released, focusing on Tiffany Henyard's scandal-plagued tenure as mayor.

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2024: Redeemed Christian Church of God Lawsuit

In 2024, Redeemed Christian Church of God Resurrection Power Assembly filed a lawsuit against Tiffany Henyard and the village, alleging discrimination and improper application of zoning codes.

2024: Collins Filed Wrongful Termination Lawsuit

In 2024, Robert Collins, the police chief fired in 2023, filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Tiffany Henyard, alleging that his removal was without cause and was motivated by retribution.

2024: Investigations and Lawsuits

In 2024, Tiffany Henyard was the subject of multiple investigations and legal proceedings regarding mismanagement of funds and official misconduct, including an order from the Illinois Attorney General, an FBI inquiry, a civil investigation by the Illinois Department of Human Rights, and several lawsuits.

2024: Police Security Detail Cost Reports

In 2024, news outlets reported on Tiffany Henyard’s use of a police security detail, estimating that it had cost the village approximately hundreds of thousands to $1 million. Trustees argued that diverting police resources for this purpose negatively affected public safety

January 2025: Lightfoot Report Released

In January 2025, Lori Lightfoot’s report on Tiffany Henyard's management of public funds was released, concluding that Henyard engaged in excessive spending, withheld financial information, and failed to maintain transparency.

April 2025: FBI Investigation into Spending

In April 2025, during her final month in office, Tiffany Henyard was investigated by the FBI due to suspicions regarding her spending habits during her tenure.