Another day, another Henyard revelation
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller
* WGN last week…
South suburban politician Tiffany Henyard threw a party over the weekend that included a heavy serving of damage control. […]
The event was promoted as the “Friends of Tiffany A. Henyard Picnic,” which immediately set off alarm bells among her opponents, who noted that “Friends of Tiffany A. Henyard” is also the name of the embattled politician’s campaign fund. […]
Trustees in Dolton – where Henyard is the mayor – and in Thornton Township – where she’s the supervisor – tried to block efforts to have public money pay for the gathering. […]
Henyard’s attorney, Beau Brindley, tells WGN Investigates the picnic was not a campaign event and that Henyard paid for some of the food provided out of her own personal funds.
She may have picked up part of the food tab herself, but taxpayers paid for the bulk of it.
* WGN today…
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 for everything from comedians to a sound system, staff to equipment and bring the total to at least $85,769. […]
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. […]
Most of the contracts for the Taste of Thornton Township were signed before trustees put spending controls in place.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Sep 10, 24 @ 2:21 pm:
I just can’t believe how blatant she is with the expenditure of funds. She apparently thinks she’s untouchable. Her arrogance is just astounding. I hope the feds knock on her door sooner rather than later so that the taxpayers she views as her own personal piggy bank can be protected from her outrageous activities.
- Alton Sinkhole - Tuesday, Sep 10, 24 @ 2:25 pm:
I bet whoever the FBI agents are assigned to this case brag to their co-workers about how easy she’s making it for them.
- DuPage Saint - Tuesday, Sep 10, 24 @ 2:40 pm:
Unfortunately the Simon Edgar Statesmanship awards nomination are closed for this year. I think she may be a front runner next year though/s
- Former Downstater - Tuesday, Sep 10, 24 @ 2:56 pm:
I was approached about doing her ISBE compliance work. I politely declined while backing as far away as possible.
- Walker - Tuesday, Sep 10, 24 @ 3:10 pm:
“”This is all for the babies.””
Ok then /s
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Sep 10, 24 @ 3:19 pm:
She does not seem to be in touch with reality.
- TJ - Tuesday, Sep 10, 24 @ 3:20 pm:
This really needs to be turned into a tragicomedy in a few years like The Big Short.
- thisjustinagain - Tuesday, Sep 10, 24 @ 3:23 pm:
The late Frank Z. is spinning at high RPM’s in his place of no eternal rest over the messes she is causing the Township and Village of Dolton, as well as the shame brought on the local Dem party apparatus. Frank had patronage hires, the “Z Team”, etc. ran the local Dem organization, but he also ran a pretty fiscally responsible operation by comparison. Now we got the 3-ring circus.
- Anon324 - Tuesday, Sep 10, 24 @ 3:28 pm:
Just wanted to point out that these were two separate events. The Taste of Thornton Township was on August 17 and the Friends of picnic was on September 1.
- Just a guy - Tuesday, Sep 10, 24 @ 3:28 pm:
It’s going to be an amazing Netflix documentary when they produce it. She doesn’t care. And the sad thing is, people voted for her. That’s the truly insane thing. “I’ll take Bouncie Houses for $6,600 Alex.”
- OneMan - Tuesday, Sep 10, 24 @ 3:33 pm:
It will make a heck of an episode of American Greed someday and a Netflix series.
I wonder if anyone has started doing a podcast about her yet.
- Donnie Elgin - Tuesday, Sep 10, 24 @ 3:33 pm:
=Henyard’s attorney, Beau Brindley=
Most pols would have an attorney who specializes in election law answer questions about campaign spending ; Henyard is repped by a criminal defense specialist
- Amalia - Tuesday, Sep 10, 24 @ 3:35 pm:
how many stories do we have on the south suburbs with corruption, mismanagement and water woes? it is astounding the ridiculous care for public funds. I don’t know if convictions will help right the scales with inspiration for people to do better but convictions are appropriate.
- Ares - Tuesday, Sep 10, 24 @ 4:13 pm:
Do not underestimate Attorney Brindley. He is one of the few federal criminal-defense attorneys who was prosecuted by the US Attorney, and was acquitted at trial.
- Anyone Remember - Tuesday, Sep 10, 24 @ 4:54 pm:
American Greed. Worthy of Jimmy McGill. IYKYK.