Months of complaints and threats relating to Thornton Township trustees Chris Gonzalez and Carmen Carlisle’s refusal to attend scheduled conferences led Supervisor Tiffany Henyard to file a lawsuit Friday.
Henyard’s mandamus grievance seeks to compel Gonzalez and Carlisle to attend metropolis council conferences by order of the Cook Count Circuit Court.
Henyard’s legal professional, Max Solomon, additionally represents Henyard in a lawsuit filed towards Thornton Township Democrats after she did not safe the occasion’s nomination for supervisor in April’s municipal election. Solomon didn’t reply to requests for remark Tuesday.
Gonzalez and Carlisle spoke brazenly about skipping or abandoning many board conferences known as from October via Dec. 30 on account of a lack of knowledge about proposals put ahead by Henyard. The Oct. 7 resignation of trustee Gerald Jones meant that the absences of Gonzalez and Carlisles on the now four-person board of administrators prevented conferences from reaching a quorum and, subsequently, coming to order.
The lawsuit claims that the continued lack of a quorum has prevented Thornton Township from conducting essential enterprise and assembly necessities set forth within the Illinois Township Code. In current weeks, the town has needed to cut back, and in some circumstances finish, providers on account of a scarcity of insurance coverage protection for workers, buildings and automobiles, Henyard mentioned.
The lawsuit states that city board conferences are required by Illinois Township Code and are crucial for the day by day operations of Thornton Township, “together with the administration and compensation of employees and workers and, most significantly, for the sleek circulate and uninterrupted provide of the important and important providers that Thornton Township supplies to its residents, together with seniors.”
Gonzalez mentioned Tuesday that he has not but been served or mentioned the lawsuit with Carlisle, however mentioned he represents Henyard “having a mood tantrum” and might be kicked out of the courts.
On the deserves, Gonzalez mentioned the lawsuit doesn’t embody essential particulars about his attendance at two conferences, considered one of which was not known as to order on account of a location dispute, regardless that he was within the constructing. Another one he walked out of after voting on a number of gadgets. The lawsuit merely states that Gonzalez and Carlisle “intentionally, willfully and willfully” missed eight common and particular conferences between Oct. 8 and Dec. 30.
The submitting of the lawsuit got here forward of a council assembly scheduled for Tuesday night at Thornton City Hall with the same agenda to conferences known as by Henyard final month. On Tuesday afternoon, Gonzalez wouldn’t say whether or not he would attend the assembly, however made it clear that the lawsuit wouldn’t affect his resolution.
“This is all desperation, form of a final ditch effort to get some issues finished or no matter,” Gonzalez mentioned. “We did not come this far simply to again down simply due to threats or something like that. I imply, it will be the silliest factor we might do, say, ‘OK, now you’ve got obtained us.'”
Another issue within the ongoing standoff between Henyard and the 2 trustees is a just lately scheduled public listening to to vote on a brand new trustee, who will lastly change Jones on the board. Thornton Township residents registered to vote will be capable of nominate their candidate on Jan. 21 to serve on the council till the April 1 election.
The listening to might be held at 6 p.m. on the South Suburban College athletic area, 15800 S. State St., in South Holland, in response to the general public discover. Gonzalez mentioned he’s assured voters will select somebody essential of the supervisor and his administration, as Henyard has drawn important group opposition for a scarcity of transparency and common abuse of energy.
But regardless of the consequence, Gonzalez mentioned, after somebody is chosen to fill that seat, residents can anticipate an finish to the months-long stalemate, as voters could have determined whose aspect they’re on: Henyard or the trustees.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
