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'Toll road of chaos': Political turmoil continues in Thornton Township after Tiffany Henyard skips meeting

By
Updated  January 6, 2025 9:57pm CST
Tiffany Henyard
FOX 32 Chicago

Political turmoil continues in Thornton Township after Tiffany Henyard skips meeting

Political turmoil continues in Thornton Township following an emergency meeting that was held Monday night.

The Brief

    • An emergency Thornton Township Board meeting was abruptly canceled after Township Supervisor Tiffany Henyard failed to attend, and a quorum was not met. The meeting was called to address the township's insurance crisis, which has halted government operations since December 1.
    • The meeting cancelation highlights ongoing tensions between Henyard and opposition trustees, Chris Gonzalez and Carmen Carlisle, who accuse her of withholding crucial financial information. Henyard is also under investigation by the FBI for corruption.
    • During the canceled meeting, residents expressed anger over Henyard's absence, with one showing video of township buses operating without insurance. Gonzalez also warned of the financial burden, noting that insurance is now three times more expensive with less coverage due to the political turmoil.

THORNTON TOWNSHIP, Ill. - Political turmoil continues in Thornton Township following an emergency meeting that was held Monday night. 

Residents gathered at the South Holland Library, but the session was abruptly called off 20 minutes after it was scheduled to start.

"It appears we have a lack of quorum," said Trustee Chris Gonzalez. "So, unfortunately, there will not be a meeting."

Thornton Township Supervisor Tiffany Henyard failed to attend the emergency meeting, which was called by two opposition trustees. The primary goal of the meeting was to discuss reopening the township after government services ground to a halt due to lapsed insurance coverage.

"We’re on the toll road of chaos right now," Gonzales told reporters. "And unfortunately, the residents are the ones who are paying the tolls. And that just needs to stop."

Thornton Township's operations have been effectively shut down since Dec. 1, when the township's insurance coverage lapsed. Attempts to enter township headquarters on Monday were met with a locked door.

The two trustees who called the meeting, Gonzalez and Carmen Carlisle, had previously refused to attend sessions due to concerns over Henyard withholding critical financial information. Henyard is also at the center of an FBI corruption investigation.

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This situation is part of an ongoing political battle between the trustees and Supervisor Henyard, who has been accused of withholding financial information. Henyard is also at the center of an FBI corruption investigation.

Despite the meeting's cancelation, there was time allotted for public comment. Several residents voiced their frustrations, with one after another blistering the absent supervisor. 

"Sad. Pitiful," said Janell Taylor of South Holland. "Absolutely the leader of an evil Cabal."

Additionally, a resident showed FOX 32 video from last week of township buses operating in Dolton, even though the township does not have auto insurance. 

"They’ve been driving these vehicles all week," said Thelma Price. "Even taking people to Bingo. This is unlawful. If somebody gets hurt, the township is going to be liable."

Gonzalez emphasized the financial toll the political chaos has taken on the township, noting that insurance is now only available on the secondary market, at three times the cost for significantly less coverage.

As of now, it remains unclear when the insurance issue will be resolved or when the next meeting will take place.

The Source: FOX 32's Dane Placko attended the emergency meeting and spoke with residents to write this article.

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