Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard has filed another lawsuit

A federal lawsuit filed against Dolton and Mayor Tiffany Henyard alleges that a barbershop business license was denied due to “arbitrary and capricious” actions by the mayor.

It is the latest in a series of lawsuits filed in state and federal court against the village and Henyard, many of which allege retaliation by the mayor and her administration against those who do not support her politically or financially.

Tyrone Isom Jr. ultimately denied a permit to open his barbershop and told to sell the property after investing thousands of dollars to renovate the building, according to his lawsuit.

The complaint alleges that Henyard has a policy of approving or denying permits, such as business licenses, on an “arbitrary and capricious, non-village-oriented basis, but instead based on the donations individuals make to its campaign.”

Isom said he had no opportunity to appeal the permit denial, claiming he was denied due process under the U.S. Constitution.

An attorney for Isom, Gregory Kulis, said Wednesday that his client works as a hairdresser in the southern suburbs and had to sell the property just over a month ago. Kulis said Isom was racking up bills and “living on credit cards” to try to open his store.

“He did everything the village officials told him to do,” Kulis said, to open the business.

The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, also names Keith Freeman, Dolton’s village administrator, as a defendant, along with Carmen Carlisle, Henyard’s executive assistant, and village supervisor Kim Alston.

According to the lawsuit, Isom purchased property at 1031 Sibley Blvd. and met with Freeman about plans to open a barber shop. According to the lawsuit, he was told by the property manager that he would obtain the necessary permits to open.

Isom applied for a business license in November 2022.

He says Carlisle told him at one point that she had discussed his application for a business license with Henyard and that the mayor did not want a barbershop.

In November 2023, Isom was told by Carlisle to repair the building’s roof, and according to the lawsuit, Isom applied for a permit.

He said planning permission for the roofing work was issued that same month, but said Alston later told him that Henyard would not allow a barber shop and that he should consider locating another business on the site.

Isom said in the lawsuit that at one point he was told by someone in the village that the mayor wanted the property for another purpose.

Kulis said Isom “would like to go back there and start a business,” but that his dealings with the village have soured him on the idea.

The lawsuit comes after federal agents served subpoenas at Dolton Village Hall on Friday, seeking records as part of an ongoing investigation into the village.

Trustees also hired Lori Lightfoot, the former mayor of Chicago, to investigate Henyard’s alleged misspending of village funds. According to the trustees, this resulted in a million-dollar deficit for the village.

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