DOLTON, Ill. – Tensions boiled over at a tumultuous Thornton Township special board meeting Friday afternoon.

The meeting was an opportunity for the board to vote on various insurance policies, pay overdue bills, and handle other township matters, but not much was accomplished as Henyard and the two trustees who called the meeting, Chris Gonzalez and Carmen Carlisle, remained at odds.

“As you know, I’m going to always show up to all meetings, because I do not neglect my duties as your supervisor,” Henyard said. “I want us to have insurance. That is the only reason why I am in this location where people are being messy, because over here [Dolton], is nothing but drama.”

The meeting was held at a Dolton Park District building due to some services, including those in the government’s main building in the township, being halted amid an ongoing insurance battle. Henyard has notoriously been absent from special meetings held at the fieldhouse by trustees in Dolton, where she serves as mayor.

As Henyard hurled insults at her opponents and threatened to take them to court to be removed from their positions, residents didn’t hesitate to make their feelings clear about her.

“This woman would not understand respect if Aretha Franklin came back from the grave and spelled it out to her,” said Dolton resident Dan Lee.

“Every day I see something on the news about Dolton and about you. You have no respect,” said one resident. “You talk about seniors loving you. I had a lot of respect for you. I was looking forward to a lot of good things for you. In the long run, you have made me feel like an unhappy parent. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

Henyard posted on social media, blaming Gonzalez and Carlisle for the township’s decision to “suspend operations,” citing their failure to show at regular and special board meetings and vote to renew insurance.

Both trustees argued no vote has ever been needed to renew insurance, and that the current insurance provider declined to offer an extension.

“We don’t have insurance because you didn’t come and take care of your business,” Henyard said, and Gonzalez responded, “I think you’re the problem.”

In an email obtained by WGN News, the township’s finance director confirmed insurance coverage for the General Fund and General Assistance Fund lapsed on Dec. 1. Current lapsed policies include general liability, auto, public officials’ liability, property, and equipment breakdown.

“At this time, we have no other offers available,” the email read.

Lack of auto insurance didn’t stop township busses from being used to shuttle people to Henyard’s “Big Bingo” event Thursday night – a point several people made during Friday’s meeting.

The board voted to approve several items, including crime and cyber insurance, but several other matters, including a property tax levy and a motion to pay all overdue bills, were struck down.

“You have not paid one bill for three months. Pay every vendor that’s on the list,” Henyard said.

Henyard slammed the trustees for trying to amend the list of bills her office requested payment on. Trustees said they needed more information and were not outright opposed.

“Let’s see the invoices before we approve them. That’s all we were asking,” Gonzalez said.

The board voted to levy taxes for the road and bridge funds, but failed to come to an agreement, with Henyard and Trustee Darlene Gray Everett voting to strike down a property tax levy ordinance with a deadline of Dec. 31 to be approved.

“Pass it the right way, pass a budget,” Henyard yelled. “You’ve got ’til the 31st to make things right.”

Gonzalez called this “another ploy on the agenda.” He told WGN News if no budget is approved for 2025, it will work off last year’s budget.

Both trustees’ presence at Friday’s meeting created a quorum, which hasn’t happened in months due to their absence.

Gonzalez recently told WGN News he had been strategically skipping meetings to avoid Henyard resetting the clock on appointing another trustee to side with her spending. Carlisle blamed Henyard scheduling meetings at difficult times and said she also has been absent due to safety concerns surrounding an ally of Henyard she has an order of protection against.