Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard’s electoral fate hangs in the balance in next Tuesday’s primary, as voters head to the polls amid ever-increasing scrutiny on her leadership and a year of political chaos in the south suburb.
Henyard’s opponent Tuesday is Dolton Trustee Jason House, who was part of Henyard’s “Dream Team” ticket in 2021.
An investigation conducted by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot asserted late last month that Henyard mismanaged the village’s finances through “excessive” spending, hid financial information from trustees and the public, and skirted efforts aimed at transparency.
That’s in addition to a federal probe into a $200,000 payment to a controversial contractor whose owner was sentenced to five years in federal prison on bribery charges last August. Trustee Andrew Holmes was also fired last spring from his job as a crisis responder for a nonprofit amid sexual assault allegations.
An eight-year trustee prior to being elected mayor, Henyard ran as a reformer candidate in 2021, calling for transparency and criticizing predecessor Riley Rogers, who she and others had accused of mismanaging town funds. In her inaugural speech, she pledged to reduce the town’s water debt and increase police foot patrols in residential areas
A recall effort initiated against Henyard garnered 56% of the vote, though the referendum was thrown out by an Illinois Appellate Court in 2022.
House has served as a trustee since 2017. In ads that ran in 2021, Henyard touted House’s experience as a bank manager and time on the town finance committee.
House is focusing much of his platform on the shortcomings of his one-time ally, pointing to a lack of transparency and trust, specifically in the town’s financial dealings and debt.
House has also proposed a community benefit agreement between the Village of Dolton and the Dolton Park District to improve park facilities and ramp up recreational opportunities for residents. And he has promised to address infrastructure issues, and resolve negotiations over the village’s firefighters’ contract.
House formerly served as a board member and treasurer for the Chicago Global Health Alliance and a board member for the Dolton Chamber of Commerce. He was also named one of the Chicago Defender’s 2024 Men of Excellence Honorees.
Last elected in 2021, House’s term as trustee is also about to expire, meaning losing the mayoral election could push him out of village government for the time being.
Early voting locations can be found here, with the nearest being Calumet City Library at 660 Manistee Ave., which will be open for early voting 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, as well as 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Election day polling places will be open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and can be found here.