Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
đź“Ť Thornton Township Board Meeting & Budget Hearings
đź“… April 20, 2026
⏱ Full video recording
The Lansing Journal attended the April 20, 2026, Thornton Township budget hearings and regular board meeting. We witnessed residents who are paying close attention, asking thoughtful questions, and wanting better access to information about their local government.
This video includes the full proceedings of those meetings. It also includes a personal message from Melanie Jongsma, Publisher of The Lansing Journal, a local newspaper that serves the community by reporting, publishing, and delivering local information. The Lansing Journal does not take sides in political matters or endorse candidates. Our role is to provide accurate, accessible information so that residents can stay informed and make their own decisions.
At the same time, civic engagement doesn’t end with attending meetings or asking questions. Local government depends on participation — from voting, to volunteering, to serving in elected roles.
If you watch this video and see areas where you believe your community could do better, consider how you might be part of that process. Whether that means attending board meetings, asking questions, or one day running for office, informed residents are essential to a healthy community.
0:00 - Introduction by Melanie Jongsma
3:30 - Budget hearing for Thornton Township Road and Bridge Fund
11:40 - Supervisor Napoleon Harris call for a vote to approve the budget before the public has a chance to ask questions
12:24 - Public comment by Paul Robertz
16:14 - Budget hearing for Thornton Township General Fund
23:16 - Budget hearing for Thornton Township General Assistance Fund
32:30 - Public comment by Mark Washington
38:10 - Thornton Township regular board meeting, including recognition of Trustee Chris Gonzalez, who passed away on April 7, 2026
01:12:27 - Approval of Three A's Maintenance (unnamed on the agenda) for the TAP Senior Lawncare Service (shout-out to @AllinTheQue )
01:16:22 - Supervisor Report
01:27:07 - "Motion to approve the necessary hires" by Supervisor Harris (not listed on the agenda)
01:27:42 - Adjournment
We will continue to report on Thornton Township and provide coverage that helps residents stay connected to the issues that affect their lives.
Make sure you receive all the local news The Lansing Journal publishes, not just the videos! Subscribe to The Lansing Journal's Daily News email: thelansingjournal.org/subscribe-from-youtube
Is there something specific you'd like us to make a video of? Do you have questions about local government or running for office? Email info@thelansingjournal.org — you'll always receive an answer.
=========
The questionable politics of Thornton Township Supervisors Tiffany Henyard and now Napoleon Harris brought new viewers and subscribers to our channel, and we appreciate their interest in our local politics. Most of the news that happens in Lansing and other parts of Thornton Township is much less dramatic, though just as important. The Lansing Journal serves a diverse community and offers a diverse range of news — stories that are often overlooked by larger media. If you are interested in what local news looks like, subscribe to The Lansing Journal:
• Our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@lansingjournal?sub_confirmation=1
• Our Daily News email: thelansingjournal.org/subscribe-from-youtube
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit newsroom, and we depend on support from viewers and readers in order to provide the journalism our community deserves. Visit the Donate page on our website to make a tax-deductible donation: thelansingjournal.org/donate
Every dollar goes directly into the journalism and helps support this local newspaper as we serve our community.
MISSION
The Lansing Journal is the only newspaper in Lansing, Illinois. Our mission is Building Community, and we fulfill that mission by keeping our diverse community informed and connected through local independent news that is freely accessible.
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/@lansingjournal?sub_confirmation=1
đź“Ť Thornton Township Board Meeting & Budget Hearings
đź“… April 20, 2026
⏱ Full video recording
The Lansing Journal attended the April 20, 2026, Thornton Township budget hearings and regular board meeting. We witnessed residents who are paying close attention, asking thoughtful questions, and wanting better access to information about their local government.
This video includes the full proceedings of those meetings. It also includes a personal message from Melanie Jongsma, Publisher of The Lansing Journal, a local newspaper that serves the community by reporting, publishing, and delivering local information. The Lansing Journal does not take sides in political matters or endorse candidates. Our role is to provide accurate, accessible information so that residents can stay informed and make their own decisions.
At the same time, civic engagement doesn’t end with attending meetings or asking questions. Local government depends on participation — from voting, to volunteering, to serving in elected roles.
If you watch this video and see areas where you believe your community could do better, consider how you might be part of that process. Whether that means attending board meetings, asking questions, or one day running for office, informed residents are essential to a healthy community.
0:00 - Introduction by Melanie Jongsma
3:30 - Budget hearing for Thornton Township Road and Bridge Fund
11:40 - Supervisor Napoleon Harris call for a vote to approve the budget before the public has a chance to ask questions
12:24 - Public comment by Paul Robertz
16:14 - Budget hearing for Thornton Township General Fund
23:16 - Budget hearing for Thornton Township General Assistance Fund
32:30 - Public comment by Mark Washington
38:10 - Thornton Township regular board meeting, including recognition of Trustee Chris Gonzalez, who passed away on April 7, 2026
01:12:27 - Approval of Three A's Maintenance (unnamed on the agenda) for the TAP Senior Lawncare Service (shout-out to @AllinTheQue )
01:16:22 - Supervisor Report
01:27:07 - "Motion to approve the necessary hires" by Supervisor Harris (not listed on the agenda)
01:27:42 - Adjournment
We will continue to report on Thornton Township and provide coverage that helps residents stay connected to the issues that affect their lives.
Make sure you receive all the local news The Lansing Journal publishes, not just the videos! Subscribe to The Lansing Journal's Daily News email: thelansingjournal.org/subscribe-from-youtube
Is there something specific you'd like us to make a video of? Do you have questions about local government or running for office? Email info@thelansingjournal.org — you'll always receive an answer.
=========
The questionable politics of Thornton Township Supervisors Tiffany Henyard and now Napoleon Harris brought new viewers and subscribers to our channel, and we appreciate their interest in our local politics. Most of the news that happens in Lansing and other parts of Thornton Township is much less dramatic, though just as important. The Lansing Journal serves a diverse community and offers a diverse range of news — stories that are often overlooked by larger media. If you are interested in what local news looks like, subscribe to The Lansing Journal:
• Our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@lansingjournal?sub_confirmation=1
• Our Daily News email: thelansingjournal.org/subscribe-from-youtube
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit newsroom, and we depend on support from viewers and readers in order to provide the journalism our community deserves. Visit the Donate page on our website to make a tax-deductible donation: thelansingjournal.org/donate
Every dollar goes directly into the journalism and helps support this local newspaper as we serve our community.
MISSION
The Lansing Journal is the only newspaper in Lansing, Illinois. Our mission is Building Community, and we fulfill that mission by keeping our diverse community informed and connected through local independent news that is freely accessible.
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/@lansingjournal?sub_confirmation=1
