DOLTON, Ill — Firefighters in the south suburban village of Dolton dropped a major bombshell during a board meeting on Monday night.
During the meeting, there were moments of anger, laughter among residents at the mayor’s expense, and a strong demand for answers from firefighters who said they have been serving the community for five years with no contract.
The meeting started with passionate comments from the community, which included demands for answers on property tax hikes and how tax dollars are being spent.
Many community members again reiterated their biggest request for accountability from Mayor Henyard and her allies.
Mayor Henyard did not look at anyone during public comment, except for a glance at one person who took the podium to compliment her.
Residents then turned their backs to the mayor and held newspapers in front of their faces as she spoke about the things she and her staff were doing.
At one point, Henyard told residents “I am literally the beacon of light for Dolton.”
During the meeting, members of the local firefighters’ union called for answers as they said the village has refused to negotiate with them about a new contract.
Another issue they raised was related to their health insurance premiums not being met, which they said has led to members of the union and family member’s claims being denied and sent to collections. Union dues and workers’ compensation were among other concerns that were brought up.
Following the comments, residents applauded and stood for the firefighters.
“We will continue to serve despite the fact that our health insurance is not being paid, our retirement funds are being taken from us and workers’ compensation claims are not being handled properly, there are serious issues and they need to be addressed and fixed immediately,” President of the Dolton IAFF Local 3766 Adam Farej said.
Another update to come out of Monday’s meeting was related to the investigation into the village by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
Mayor Henyard had initially vetoed the board’s motion to appoint Lightfoot as a special investigator before asking that the attorney general rule it not be allowed.
The attorney general’s office issued its ruling on June 14, saying Lightfoot’s investigation was legal and would be allowed.
Dolton agreed to pay the former Chicago mayor and former federal prosecutor a maximum of $30,000 for the investigation.
Currently, village officials say they have already spent about $20,000 and added that significant progress has been made in the investigation.
Dolton Trustee Jason House said the meeting erupted into chaos towards the end of the night after someone asked Trustee Andrew Holmes, who was accused of sexual assault by Henyard’s former assistant, to answer to the allegations.
Holmes began to speak when the man approached him and officers intervened.
The man was then escorted out and several community members followed him in support.