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The board meeting was held at Dolton as Henyard grilled residents – NBC Chicago
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The board meeting was held at Dolton as Henyard grilled residents – NBC Chicago

For the first time in weeks, the village of Dolton reached a quorum and held a public meeting Wednesday night as trustees and Mayor Tiffany Henyard were finally under the same roof.

It comes after weeks of canceled and delayed dates due to safety concerns. The Illinois attorney general also ruled that the village violated the Open Meetings Act by forcing Dolton to meet in a larger park district building until further notice.

“It’s a shame for Dolton. Why don’t you quit?” one resident said during public comment, criticizing Henyard, who is facing an FBI investigation.

Henyard has faced off with most trustees this year over spending, the village budget and the fate of the village’s finances, which are suffering from a nearly $3 million shortfall.

Henyard has denied wrongdoing amid the federal probe, as well as a separate, trustee-sponsored investigation led by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

Henyard also spent part of Wednesday sending a social media message to President-elect Donald Trump, according to her Facebook page, inviting Trump to meet with her to discuss the issues in Thornton Township.

“Congratulations President Trump!!” Henyard wrote on Facebook. “I have a lot of great ideas and I think we can work together for the greater good. Let’s Make America Great Again. I also sent you a message. Please check your inbox.”

During Wednesday’s meeting, Henyard, who is running for re-election early next year, predicted a victory.

“Like Trump, I’m coming in a landslide,” she said. “Unfortunately, the Democrats didn’t do their job.”

One of his opponents in the mayoral race, Trustee Jason House, criticized the mayor and said during Wednesday’s meeting that Henyard is making life difficult for small businesses in Dolton.

“Dolton is the only community where — to get a business license or a liquor license — you need a lawyer,” House said, echoing a common complaint of vendors and small businesses.

Wednesday’s meeting featured an agenda where Henyard also moved to hire a new village police chief, but that hiring is already facing legal challenges.

The village board rejected Henyard’s selection for Police Chief Ronald Burge Sr., although he will be allowed to serve for 30 days in an interim role as legal challenges mount.