Dolton’s ‘Super Mayor’ Tiffany Henyard Ordered to Court Amid Scandal Fallout

In a dramatic turn of events, the self-proclaimed "super mayor" of Dolton, Illinois, Tiffany Henyard, finds herself summoned to court for a contempt hearing. After a scandal-ridden tenure and a crushing electoral defeat, Henyard is under fire for allegedly refusing to release public records from her time in office, in direct violation of transparency laws.

The Edgar County Watchdogs Inc. has taken legal action against both Henyard and the Village of Dolton, accusing the former mayor of ignoring Freedom of Information Act requests. This isn’t the first time she’s faced such charges—Henyard has previously been held in contempt for similar refusals. As the attorney for the Watchdogs put it, losing an election might not be enough to dodge the consequences of defying the court.

Henyard’s time as mayor was marked by chaos and controversy, from allegations of corruption that drew national attention to FBI subpoenas served at Dolton Village Hall. An investigation led by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot revealed staggering financial mismanagement, with the village’s general fund plummeting into a multi-million-dollar deficit and credit card charges racking up to nearly $780,000 in a single year. Adding to the intrigue, a federal subpoena tied to a development project involving land reportedly owned by Henyard’s boyfriend surfaced just as her political career crumbled.

At a recent hearing, Henyard claimed she was merely the "face" of the village, not responsible for recordkeeping—a defense that raises eyebrows given the scale of the allegations. With her court appearance scheduled for Friday, the spotlight remains on Dolton as Illinois grapples with the fallout of her tumultuous leadership. Meanwhile, newly elected mayor Jason House steps into a role shadowed by the mess left behind.

This saga isn’t just about one mayor—it’s a glaring reminder of the fragility of public trust and the urgent need for accountability in local governance. As Dolton rebuilds, the question lingers: how deep does the damage go?