When you’ve been called “the worst mayor in America,” how do you respond? Tiffany Henyard’s answer: Run for reelection.
At a glance:
- Tiffany Henyard, mayor of Dolton, Illinois, is running for reelection despite ongoing investigations into her administration’s financial mismanagement.
- Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is leading a special investigation into Henyard’s extravagant spending, revealing that the town’s general fund went from a $5.61 million surplus to a $3.65 million deficit in just two years.
- Henyard faces additional allegations of corruption, including covering up a sexual assault by a colleague, hiring a sex offender, and extravagant taxpayer-funded spending.
Tiffany Henyard, the controversial Democrat mayor of Dolton, Illinois, is seeking a second term in office, despite facing numerous scandals and accusations of corruption. Announcing her reelection bid on Facebook, Henyard is pushing forward while under investigation for her outlandish spending habits and alleged abuse of power.
Henyard has faced mounting criticism since taking office in 2021. After winning by a landslide with 80% of the vote, she quickly became mired in controversy. An investigation led by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot revealed that under Henyard’s leadership, Dolton’s general fund balance plummeted from a $5.61 million surplus to a $3.65 million deficit within two years. Lightfoot disclosed that Henyard had spent tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars at retailers like Amazon and Target using the village’s credit card, raising serious concerns about her handling of public funds.
Dolton, a small Chicago suburb with a population of around 20,000, struggles with a poverty rate of over 20%. Yet Henyard has continued to rake in nearly $300,000 in combined salaries as mayor and supervisor of Thornton Township. Her spending has angered many, particularly after it was revealed that she threw an $85,000 taxpayer-funded party, featuring performances by R&B singer Keke Wyatt and rapper J. Holiday, with minimal attendance.
Beyond financial mismanagement, Henyard has been accused of covering up a sexual assault allegedly committed by a colleague and firing the victim. She has also been linked to a village police officer indicted for bankruptcy fraud amid a federal corruption probe.
Despite the scandals, Henyard is undeterred, planning her official campaign announcement later this month. Whether the people of Dolton will support her reelection remains to be seen, but for now, Henyard is fighting to maintain her grip on power.