A scandal-plagued mayor's reign in an Illinois village comes to an end after a tumultuous term marked by controversies and public spectacles.
According to Daily Mail, Tiffany Henyard, dubbed "America's Worst Mayor," suffered a crushing defeat in Dolton's Democratic primary election, securing only 12 percent of the votes against Village Trustee Jason House's overwhelming 87.9 percent victory.
The 41-year-old incumbent's loss follows a series of allegations regarding financial mismanagement and public misconduct. An independent investigation revealed that millions in taxpayer funds were mishandled during her tenure as mayor of the village of 21,000 residents. The investigation, led by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, uncovered systematic efforts to conceal Dolton's true financial condition from trustees and the public.
The investigation unveiled troubling spending patterns during Henyard's administration. In 2023 alone, town credit cards were charged $779,638 with minimal expense tracking. The village's financial status deteriorated significantly, transforming from a $5.61 million surplus in April 2022 to a $3.65 million deficit by May 2024.
Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot provided detailed findings showing that credit cards were used for over $171,000 in travel expenses from 2021 through June 2024. The expenditures included two Las Vegas trips in May 2022 and May 2023, with no evidence of resulting business development opportunities for the village.
Lightfoot, speaking at a town meeting, revealed how Henyard's administration said:
At least as early as late 2021, there was a concerted, systematic effort on behalf of Mayor Henyard and others in her administration to hide the true financial condition of the Village of Dolton from the trustees and from members of the public.
Beyond financial controversies, Henyard's public behavior drew criticism. In December, she was involved in a physical altercation during a caucus meeting where she reportedly lost her wig and shoe in the melee. The incident occurred after an activist criticized her leadership and made personal remarks.
The confrontation escalated when Henyard's boyfriend, Kamal Woods, charged at the activist, leading to a larger brawl. Multiple televisions were damaged during the chaos, though no arrests were made as participants had fled before police arrived.
Witness Meghan Dudek expressed dismay at the mayor's conduct, stating:
I have never seen a politician jump in and fight like that – it was scary and horrible- It is an embarrassment.
Jason House's victory speech emphasized his commitment to transforming Dolton's governance. Dancing to Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us," he declared an end to what he characterized as four years of intimidation and failure.
The election results showed a clear mandate for change, with House receiving 3,892 votes compared to Henyard's mere 536. Lawrence Gardner, a former business owner who claimed Henyard's actions led to his trucking company's closure, celebrated the outcome with particular enthusiasm.
Henyard will continue serving as mayor until the general election on April 1, where House will face an independent candidate. Her only comment on the defeat was that "the people have spoken" and "God must have a different plan."
Tiffany Henyard's term as Dolton's mayor was marked by allegations of financial misconduct, public confrontations, and mismanagement of public funds. Her defeat in the Democratic primary election with only 12 percent of the votes signals residents' strong desire for new leadership under Jason House, who promises to address the village's $3.65 million deficit and restore public trust in local government.
