Tiffany Henyard | Dolton Mayor Tiffany A. Henyard | Edgar County Watchdogs
Tiffany Henyard | Dolton Mayor Tiffany A. Henyard | Edgar County Watchdogs
The Village of Dolton has filed a motion to sue its own mayor, Tiffany Henyard, as part of an ongoing public records lawsuit brought by South Cook News and its parent company, Metric Media, LLC.
The Village’s motion for leave to file a third-party complaint—submitted in Cook County Circuit Court on Wednesday, April 16—accuses Henyard of refusing to search for and turn over key documents in violation of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), thereby exposing the municipality to legal liability.
The plaintiffs, Metric Media, doing business as South Cook News, and Owen Wang, claim the Village of Dolton failed to comply with multiple FOIA requests made by the news organization.
The Village, now turning against its soon-to-be-former mayor, alleges Henyard’s actions directly caused the violations.
“The Village contends that third-party Mayor Tiffany Henyard has refused to search for and produce records responsive to certain FOIA requests, causing the Village of Dolton to violate the FOIA,” the Village’s motion reads.
The Village argues that Henyard’s refusal to comply with FOIA requests not only triggered the initial violation but also deepened the legal and financial consequences facing the municipality.
“The Mayor’s actions have exacerbated the Village’s violation of the FOIA and subjected the Village to an erosion of public trust, litigation fees and costs and potential penalties and attorneys’ fees,” the motion reads.
Attorney Edward “Coach” Weinhaus, who represents Metric Media and the Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, didn’t hold back in his assessment of the unusual turn of events.
“Metric Media is doing journalism right,” Weinhaus said. “Point me to another journalism organization that spent its own money to get a city to sue its mayor in such a short time.”
The lawsuit identifies nine FOIA requests submitted to the Henyard administration that allegedly went unanswered. As a result, the Village is seeking injunctive and declaratory relief to compel Henyard to produce the records and clarify legal responsibility.
Weinhaus commended the leadership of South Cook News and its founder, Brian Timpone, whose network of local news sites has frequently drawn criticism from Democratic officials nationwide. But in Dolton, Weinhaus said Timpone has become a force for accountability.
“Who knew that Brian Timpone—the scourge of the Democratic Party—would become the hero of the people of Dolton,” Weinhaus said.
Henyard’s political downfall has unfolded amid multiple scandals.
Once branding herself the “super mayor,” Henyard lost her February reelection primary in a landslide to challenger Jason House, who campaigned on a platform of transparency and fiscal accountability. House went on to win the April general election with 95% of the vote and will be sworn in on May 5.
Since taking office, Henyard has faced criticism for extravagant taxpayer-funded spending, including luxury travel and professional hair and makeup services. Her administration drew national attention when FBI agents served subpoenas at Dolton Village Hall in connection with a development deal allegedly linked to her boyfriend. Henyard, however, has not been formally charged.
Adding to her legacy of controversy, Henyard skipped her final four board meetings and recently lost her additional role as Thornton Township Supervisor after being defeated by state Senator Napoleon Harris.
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