Judge Blocks Dolton Mayor's Appointments Without Board Approval

On a Wednesday afternoon, Cook County Judge Thaddeus Wilson issued an order preventing Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard from making any appointments without the approval of the village board. This decision followed a four-hour hearing and included an injunction that prohibits Henyard from appointing officials, as well as a restraining order that prevents her appointees from taking office. The board had previously indicated that they did not approve the firing of the current village manager, Keith Freeman, which Henyard attempted to do without sufficient board support. The judge's ruling specifically blocks the appointments of a new village manager, village attorney, and police chief, all of whom were appointed by Henyard in meetings where she lacked the necessary board approval. This situation has arisen amid ongoing scrutiny of Henyard's management of village finances, which has raised concerns about her leadership. The investigation into Henyard's financial practices is being led by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who discovered that the Dolton Village General Fund was in a precarious state, with a negative balance of $3.65 million. This financial mismanagement has contributed to the tensions between Henyard and the village board, leading to the current legal actions. As a result of the judge's order, the governance of Dolton is now in a state of uncertainty, with the village board asserting its authority over appointments and Henyard's ability to lead effectively being called into question. The implications of this ruling may have lasting effects on the village's administration and its financial recovery efforts.