Thornton Township Clerk Loretta Wells announced last week a special meeting of electors at 6:01 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, to allow residents to select a trustee to fill a seat that has been vacant since former Trustee Jerry Jones resigned on Oct. 7, 2024.
The vacancy has led to a stalemate between two factions on the Board of Trustees.
The meeting will be held at the South Suburban College Field House, at 15800 South State St. in South Holland. Doors will open at 5 p.m.
The meeting will be open to the public, but only registered voters who reside in Thornton Township will be able to vote for trustee. A copy of the proposed rules for the conduct of the meeting was provided by Wells to The Lansing Journal last week.

in March 2024. She is one of two township residents who have said they would be
willing to serve the last few months of the vacant trustee position if nominated at
a township meeting Tuesday. Charles Rayburn also announced he would be willing
to serve. (Chronicle file photo)
According to the clerk’s announcement, eligible electors “must have been registered to vote at least twenty-eight (28) days before the meeting. Thornton Township electors shall be required to present a government issued photo identification card or acceptable proof of residence within Thornton Township. Proof of residence includes a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter.”
The new trustee’s term will expire in May, and whoever voters select in the April 1 election will fill the seat after being sworn in.
The vacant seat on the board has been a factor in a stand-off between Supervisor Tiffany Henyard and Trustee Darlene Gray Everett on one side and trustees Carmen Carlisle and Chris Gonzalez on the other.
Gonzalez has long been critical of Henyard for spending practices and what he sees as a lack of transparency from Henyard’s administration. Last year, Carlisle joined him in demanding changes.
When Jones resigned, Gonzalez and Carlisle feared Henyard would appoint a successor who was loyal to her, giving her a majority, with Everett, on the board.
Gonzalez and Carlisle have boycotted or cut short most regular and special board meetings since Oct. 8, thwarting the appointment of a new trustee.
Henyard filed suit against Gonzalez and Carlisle on Jan. 10 asking Cook County Circuit Court to force the two trustees to attend meetings. A copy of the suit was posted by Edgar County Watchdogs.
Wells cited state law as the justification for convening the meeting of electors to make the appointment.
“If a vacancy exists in any township office and the vacancy is not filled within 60 days, the electors at a special township meeting may select a qualified person to fill the vacancy and to serve until the expiration of that term. At the meeting, the electors may select the replacement officer by voice vote, and the person receiving the greatest number of votes shall be declared to be elected as the officer.” 60 ILCS 1/35-35.
There has been some debate among Henyard supporters and opponents about when the clock officially started on the 60-day period. In her Jan. 10 court filing, Henyard noted that Jones’ resignation was received and effective Oct. 7, which her opponents claim is an acknowledgement that the 60-day period started on that date.
The Lansing Journal has posted stories about two township residents who have said they would accept the appointment if nominated, including Charles Rayburn and former township employee Stephanie Wiedeman.