An earlier version of this story incorrectly tabulated the cost of the event as $135,000. A further review of contracts and documents provided by Thornton Township shows the known cost so far was at least $85,769. This story has been updated to reflect the new information.
DOLTON, Ill. — Self-anointed south suburban “supermayor” Tiffany Henyard knows how to throw a party. She flew in R&B singer Keke Wyatt and rapper J. Holiday for a mini-concert last month for the “Taste of Thornton Township.”
But the event, which Henyard’s own social media videos show was sparsely attended, has left some residents with a sour taste.
“That was a flop,” said former Dolton trustee Valeria Stubbs who went to see the spectacle for herself.
WGN Investigates filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act for expenses related to the one day event. Records show Keke Wyatt was paid $30,000 to sing for 30 minutes. J. Holiday was paid $20,000 for a half-hour set. The township spent $6,600 to rent inflatable bounce houses. Other costs billed to township taxpayers include everything from comedians to a sound system, staff to equipment and bring the total to at least $85,769.
“I was flabbergasted,” said Lansing resident Jennifer Robertz when told of the costs. “I was pissed off. That’s my money. That’s the people’s money.”
Henyard has defended her taxpayer funded events as important to the 17 suburbs the township covers. “This is all for the babies,” Henyard said in a Facebook video she posted from the event. “They don’t show you this side of Tiffany Henyard: The productivity.” Her lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
After a year’s worth of WGN Investigates reporting detailing first-class travel, meals and more that’s now sparked a federal investigation, trustees in the two governments run by Henyard have tried to stop the spending.
Even her former assistant – who’s now a township trustee – recently said “enough is enough.”
“I trusted this administration,” township trustee Carmen Carlisle said at an August meeting. “I trusted the process. The moment I didn’t trust the process I started asking questions.”
Trustees in Dolton, where Henyard is the mayor, have taken similar steps to limit her ability to spend after discovering the village is facing a multi-million dollar budget deficit. Trustees have instituted layoffs and say they’re now crafting their own budget to try to get the village’s finances in order.
Most of the contracts for the Taste of Thornton Township were signed before trustees put spending controls in place.
“Tiffany is a narcissist,” said Dolton resident Sherry Britton. “She’s going to do whatever she wants to do. I feel like she knows this is over but she’s going to go down kicking and screaming like an MMA fighter. It’s not gonna’ stop until they put cuffs on her.”
