High-stakes Thornton Twp. meeting abruptly ends in chaos, blindsiding Henyard: 'Call the police!'

SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. (WLS) -- There was important business on the agenda, including approving a budget, a tax levy ordinance, and insurance, but none of it got done.

In Thornton Township on Tuesday night, there was only more turmoil and strife.

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Frustrated residents shook their heads after the board of trustees meeting ended before it really began.

"The board meeting is over with, so please get out. Do not walk up on me!" said Supervisor Tiffany Henyard. "Call the police! Call the police because we don't have a board meeting!"

For the first time in months, the board of trustees had a quorum, with Trustees Chris Gonzalez and Carmen Carlisle in attendance.

The two had been skipping meetings in order to block Henyard from filling a vacant trustee position.

But last week, Henyard went to court to try to compel the trustees to attend, citing "a severe disruption of township services" from a government shutdown resulting from the standoff.

SEE ALSO | Tiffany Henyard skips meetings in Dolton and Thornton Township, where stalemate continues

"It's not going to bully us. It's not going to force us to do something. We know we're doing what's right, and we're going to keep moving forward," Gonzalez said.

"We have a quorum, so we will have a board meeting this evening," Henyard said.

But that was wishful thinking. After the pledge of allegiance and an opening prayer interrupted by jeers, Gonzalez and Carlisle abruptly ended the meeting

"What, What you all on? We is not adjourning no meeting. At the end of the day, we got to pay the insurance. What kind of mess are you all on?" Henyard said.

The trustees walked out.

"No one should be able to walk out of their elected position during a meeting not for nothing," one woman said.

A blindsided Henyard talked about layoffs.

"You're all not understanding. People's jobs are at stake and pretty is no longer because of the lack of insurance," Henyard said.

This all comes a week before a special meeting during which township residents will select a new trustee for that vacant position. Henyard has objected, saying she still has the authority to fill the vacancy.

The trustees issued a statement, saying, "The Board of Trustees has decided to adjourn tonight's meeting prematurely at the South Holland Thornton Township location due to a lack of proper insurance coverage, which we believe is the appropriate course of action. Prior to tonight's meeting, we emailed our concerns to Supervisor Henyard, including her inability to compromise on essential township matters and her continued alienation of board members. As a result, Supervisor Henyard's prolonged irrational behavior has led board members to boycott her personal agenda. Our commitment remains to the responsible governance of Thornton Township."