Scandal-Plagued Illinois ‘Super Mayor’ Held in Contempt of Court Over Liquor License
An Illinois mayor’s months-long refusal to approve liquor licenses sparks courtroom drama, contempt charges, and demands for accountability. 🌐 #News #DoltonIL #Illinois #Crime
DOLTON, IL – Tiffany Henyard, the embattled mayor of Dolton, Illinois, is once again at the center of controversy. This time, her legal troubles revolve around months of delays over liquor licenses for a prominent local establishment. A Cook County judge recently held Henyard in contempt of court after she repeatedly failed to sign off on the approvals, sparking a heated legal battle and public outcry.
Courtroom Showdown Over Delays
The conflict began when the owners of St. Patrick’s, a multi-story restaurant and banquet hall, accused Henyard of blocking their liquor licenses despite prior approval from the village board of trustees. In a lawsuit filed in August, they claimed Henyard promised multiple times to sign the documents but failed to follow through.
On Wednesday, the situation escalated when Henyard, who also acts as Dolton’s liquor commissioner, vowed in court to sign the licenses by a Thursday deadline.
However, when the deadline passed without action, both parties were forced to return to court on Friday. Henyard arrived 30 minutes late to the hearing, where the tension reached a breaking point.
Judge’s Contempt Ruling
The courtroom drama culminated when Cook County Judge Cecilia Horan ruled that Henyard’s actions demonstrated disrespect for the authority of the court. This indirect criminal contempt ruling put the spotlight on the mayor’s refusal to address the judge directly and her repeated delays.
Under pressure, Henyard eventually signed two of the three licenses, allowing St. Patrick’s to finally open its doors for business.
Damages and Accountability
Despite the partial resolution, the legal battle is far from over. The restaurant’s owners are pursuing the final license and demanding financial penalties against Henyard.
Their attorney argued that the mayor’s actions have caused unnecessary financial losses and hurt the local economy by delaying the opening of the establishment, which could have created jobs and generated tax revenue.
Broader Allegations Against Henyard
This liquor license scandal is just one piece of a larger web of accusations facing Henyard. Her term as mayor has been marked by escalating controversies, legal disputes, and mounting investigations.
She is under scrutiny for alleged misuse of taxpayer dollars, overspending on village credit cards, and retaliation against an employee who reported misconduct by another official.
Additionally, the FBI is reportedly investigating her for corruption tied to her roles in Dolton and Thornton Township.
Adding to the pressure, a separate probe led by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot into Henyard’s alleged misconduct has concluded, with findings expected to be made public soon.
RELATED TOPICS: Crime | Illinois | Politics
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