Thornton Township reverses ethics reform-oriented personal promotion ordinance
Newly elected board members and Supervisor Napoleon Harris fielded public calls for transparency and the release of a forensic audit into the township’s finances at its meeting on May 27.
Thornton Township’s board of trustees unanimously rescinded an ordinance that banned the use of township merchandise or township money for personal promotion.
In August 2024, the board passed an ordinance “prohibiting the use of Township-funded merchandise for personal promotion by elected and appointed officials, thereby preventing potential electioneering.” The legislation spanned billboards, flyers, social media, and township equipment.
Former supervisor Tiffany Henyard, whose name frequently adorned paraphernalia, served as the impetus behind the measure. However, the ordinance cast a broad enough net to prevent all board members from engaging in the practice. And now, the Harris administration has rescinded the legislation, altogether.
Under the ordinance, if any names were used, all board members names’ would need to appear in “the exact same font, text, color, and boldness.” The finance department was also to conduct “period audits to ensure compliance” with the measure.
Township trucks. Flyers. Posters. While Henyard garnered attention for her use of image and namesake on township paraphernalia, the practice was a decades-long issue that began under the Frank Zuccarelli administration and still lacks checks–and–balances
Trustee Chris Gonzalez, who won his re-election bid, is the only voting-member holdover from prior board leadership, and ran on Supervisor Napoleon Harris’ slate in the April elections — previously joined then-trustees Gerald Jones and Carmen Carlisle in approving the ordinance last summer.
Official business
Former township trustee Stephanie Wiedeman secured a new position in the township as trustees unanimously accepted her appointment as administrative assistant. Wiedeman is the executive director of the Dolton Park District and a former township employee. She was fired from the township shortly after former supervisor Henyard took office.
All trustees attended the meeting except for Valeria Stubbs.
Trustees unanimously approved paying the township’s bills list, with 3 items unknown to the public removed. Trustee Mary Carolyn Avant said those items needed further review from the board, but would not say what they contained.
Calls for transparency and communication
Township residents used the public comment period largely to congratulate new trustees and call for better communication and a forensic audit into the township’s finances in the wake of Henyard’s tenure.
Paul Roberts of Lansing used public comment period to call upon the board to provide updates on a forensic audit of every department, re-examine its decision to open a new food pantry instead of invest in the township’s two pre-existing ones, and address this year’s budget process.
The board is “still in the process of collecting information in regards to the audit that will be conducted,” and committed to sharing that information when he has it, according to Harris.
Longtime Dolton resident Dan Lee said he expected more from Harris in regard to the audit, but is still figuring the new supervisor out. He also suggested the township board adopt a question–and–answer session during meetings to regain the public’s trust after the Henyard administration.
“It doesn’t have to be an interrogation, but just basic questions, like, ‘Okay, what is this [agenda item]?” … Talk to me,” Lee said.
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