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Chaos erupts as trustees overturn veto of Lori Lightfoot’s pay for investigation of Dolton, IL mayor Tiffany Henyard

DOLTON, Ill. (WLS) – It was anything but a brawl that resulted in benches being cleared at Dolton Town Hall on Monday evening.

Tempers flared for hours as villagers rebuked Mayor Tiffany Henyard for avoiding questions about village business and expenses.

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“No matter how many questions we ask you, you never answer,” said Vivian, a participant at the meeting.

Henyard kept firing back. But it was the silent, lurking presence of Chicago’s former mayor and now paid private investigator Lori Lightfoot that destroyed any sense of order.

Four of Dolton’s six trustees had hired Lightfoot in April to investigate the village of Henyard’s expenses and records. And on Monday night, trustees voted to override a veto by the mayor, who did not want to pay Lightfoot to conduct that investigation.

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Henyard’s supporters muted the microphones. But no matter – a former mayor who once oversaw chaotic Chicago City Council meetings drowned out the tumult with his shouting.

Lightfoot’s words had little impact. Dolton’s police chief, a close ally of Henyard, forced the angry residents to evacuate the community center.

Senior trustee Jason House, who hired Lightfoot, said, “Many residents are curious about the status of the investigation.”

READ MORE | Law firm accuses Village of Dolton as client for not being paid

Outside, the residents of Dolton, thrown into the parking lot, were angry.

“I think this is ridiculous. I think the whole government is ridiculous,” said resident Renee Clements.

“It is preferential treatment from an illegitimate, corrupt administration,” said Dan Lee, another resident.

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