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About Tiffany A. Henyard

On April 6, 2021, Tiffany A. Henyard, the 8-year former village trustee, became the Village of Dolton’s first African American woman mayor. She was sworn in on May 8,  2021 becoming the youngest mayor in Dolton’s 130 year history. Henyard, a democrat raised in the Village of Dolton, won the election by securing 82% of the vote against the incumbent mayor during the 2021 election. Much fanfare surrounded the newly elected mayor and her swearing in ceremony was attended by dignitaries from across the State of Illinois including former Cook County Clerk Dorothy Brown, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Illinois Speaker of the House Representatives Emanuel Chris Welch and many others.

 

In a move that sent shockwaves across the State of Illinois, on March 3, 2022 a few minutes before the stroke of midnight Mayor Tiffany A. Henyard became the first African American Supervisor of Thornton Township. The 4-0 unanimous vote by the Thornton Township board cemented Henyard as the youngest woman to ever hold the position. Thornton Township is the largest township in the State of Illinois with over 190,000 residents.

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Mayor Henyard is a life-long resident of Dolton and continues to work passionately for the residents  in the community where she grew up. She graduated with high honors from Thornridge High School and earned a Bachelor of Art’s Degree in Business Administration with the highest honor, summa cum laude, from Robert Morris University.

 

Awards and Recognitions

 

Henyard is the recipient of the Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign/Human Rights Defender Award, Chicago Honors “Community Activist of the Year Award”, the Dorothy Brown & New Millennium of Women for Change – Government Commitment Award, the prestigious “Queens Award” for Service to Community during COVID-19 Crisis ,The 2022 United Way Leadership Award and the South Suburban College MLK Award 

 

 

Major Initiatives

 

Block by Block

Upon taking office, Tiffany Henyard immediately began tackling Dolton’s distress housing crisis.  Block by Block, a housing initiative created by Mayor Henyard to address the Village of Dolton's vacant housing crisis, was proposed by Mayor Henyard as early as June of 2021. The signature community restoration program would allow current residents to purchase homes throughout the community for significantly less than market value. Minority and women owned developers would have an opportunity to acquire property through the program for homes with major renovation challenges.

 

Senior & Veteran Roof and Window Program

Under Mayor Tiffany A. Henyard’s new administration, one of her first major accomplishments, the Village of Dolton was awarded $3 million in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) grant funds. ARPA funds where designated to cover a host of critical capital improvement and infrastructure projects. One of Mayor Henyard’s key local government incentive programs was the Senior & Veteran Window and Roof Replacement Program. The plan received praise across the south suburban Chicagoland area as a model for local government community investment. Senior residents and military veterans are eligible to have a private contractor replace or repair their windows or roof free of charge. Similar to a rebate plan, seniors and veterans must be 65 years or older and must live in the property they own.

 

Land Use & Development

 

Greenwood Falls

Mayor Tiffany A. Henyard’s landmark development project, Greenwood Falls, is considered by most residents and elected officials as the single most important community transformation project in Dolton’s history. The 1.5 mile project features the first ever outdoor multi-use skating rink. Just-Ice Rink (named after Mayor Henyard's daughter Justice), during the winter months serves as an outdoor ice skating rink and in the summer a roller skating rink. The project features a full service community water park, dog park, veterans memorial, outdoor amphitheater, enchanted forest outdoor lounge and   performing arts facility. Mayor Henyard’s Greenwood Falls connects the existing TIF (tax increment financing) district in Sibley and Greenwood Road with Dolton’s historic downtown district, making it a great attraction for tourism and economic development.

 

Notable Infrastructure and Capital Improvement Projects

 

  • RE-OPENING OF FIRE STATION #2 - reduces response times for fire and EMS related emergencies to the southeast side of Dolton. Addresses delays in service caused by railroad lines across northwest Dolton.

  • OPENING OF POLICE #2 - the newly converted Police Station #2 (formerly Melanie Fitness Center) serves as a the primary station for records division, ticketing and information requests. The facility also features a community indoor pool open to the public.

  • REMODEL VILLAGE HALL - the newly remodeled Village Hall features easy to access customer service windows, hardwood floors and waiting area for residents and guest. More new customer friendly features are in the works for 2024-2025.

  • STREETS, SIDEWALKS & ALLEYS - the Henyard administration has completed more street, sidewalks and alley projects than the last 3 administrations combined. All infrastructure projects have been paid fully through grant and MFT (motor fuel tax) dollars.

  • DIGITAL WATER METER INSTALLATION - in an effort to reduce resident billing issues and improve the quality of the water system,  Mayor Tiffany A. Henyard has initiated a digital water meter installation initiative. The project is funded through a $2 million IEPA ( Illinois Environmental Protection Agency)grant.

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