Dalton, Illinois – Mayor Tiffany Henyard and her boyfriend, Carmel Woods, are facing an eviction lawsuit after allegedly failing to pay rent for their home in Dalton. Despite a combined annual income exceeding $300,000, records show the couple hasn’t made any rent payments since August, according to their landlord Jonetta Hull, who is now speaking publicly about her experience. Hull, who considered Henyard a friend, said she reluctantly agreed to rent her property to the mayor after receiving a late-night call from her in 2021. In that call, Henyard insisted that she rent the home to her and Woods, overriding an existing rental agreement Hull had arranged with another tenant.
Hull explained that Henyard, who also serves as Thornton Township Supervisor, makes nearly $300,000 from her public positions, while Woods holds a six-figure job at the township. Henyard signed the initial lease agreement but listed only “Mayor” as her employment, omitting any details about her supervisory role. Since then, Hull says the couple’s behavior has been troubling, particularly after she raised the rent by $200, bringing the total to $2,400 a month. Hull noted that the increase was due to rising property taxes, which she could no longer afford to cover on her own.
Landlord Faces Hardship as Rent Payments Stop
After Henyard and Woods refused to pay the increased rent in August, Hull claims that they also failed to pay for September and October, leaving her no choice but to seek their eviction. Hull explained that she hasn’t been able to work in several months and fears losing the home if the rent payments continue to go unpaid. Beyond the missed payments, Hull alleges that Henyard and Woods have changed the locks and the garage door code, preventing her from accessing the property. Hull believes that if she attempted to enter with a locksmith, she might face legal action from the mayor.
Hull said she initially refrained from taking the matter to the public, hoping to resolve the situation amicably. However, after months of blocked communication and unfulfilled rent payments, she turned to the courts. Hull filed an eviction lawsuit but encountered challenges when Cook County sheriffs were unable to serve the suit, having tried unsuccessfully at both the couple’s home and Village Hall. Now, she’s hired a process server in an attempt to formally deliver the eviction notice to Henyard or Woods.
Legal and Financial Strain Continues for Landlord
Hull emphasized the financial strain this situation has placed on her, describing herself as “between a rock and a hard place.” Given her own limited income and ongoing expenses related to the home, Hull voiced her concern about sustaining ownership of the property if the couple continues to reside there without paying. Despite Henyard’s considerable earnings and public status, Hull says the mayor has not reached out or made any attempt to settle the unpaid rent. Additionally, Hull stated that Henyard blocked her phone number months ago, further complicating attempts at direct communication.
According to Hull, Henyard’s attorney was notified of the lawsuit, yet there has been no indication of any intention to settle the rent arrears or vacate the premises. Hull reiterated that her decision to speak out was not taken lightly, as she previously held the mayor in high regard. However, with the mounting financial burden and risk of losing the property, Hull decided that publicizing the issue might prompt Henyard to address the situation. “Just pay your rent,” Hull said, stressing that her objective is not merely about reclaiming the money but also the property itself.
Controversy Surrounding Henyard’s Financial Management and Public Trust
Henyard’s public reputation has already been under scrutiny due to alleged misuse of tax dollars, excessive spending, and questionable contracts in her role as Dalton mayor and Thornton Township supervisor. The eviction lawsuit and claims of unpaid rent add to the list of controversies surrounding Henyard’s financial conduct. Hull expressed her frustration at Henyard’s actions, remarking that her past financial choices would eventually catch up to her. “At some point, calm is going to catch up to you,” she stated, urging Henyard to face her obligations.
Hull also emphasized that she does not intend to allow Henyard and Woods to remain in her property, even if they manage to pay the overdue rent. She said that she’s aiming for a permanent resolution to the matter, considering the lease to be on a month-to-month basis, which would give her the right to end the tenancy.
