Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 20 hours ago
THORNTON TOWNSHIP, Ill. — Two-term Thornton Township Trustee Christopher Gonzalez has died, Township Clerk Casey Nesbit confirmed on April 7.
At the time of his death, Gonzalez was serving his second term as Thornton Township trustee. Gonzalez is known for his opposition to Thornton Township Supervisor Tiffany Henyard while serving as trustee in 2023 and 2024.
In March 2024, Gonzales sat down with The Lansing Journal's then-managing editor Josh Bootsma to discuss why he regreted nominating Tiffany Henyard as Supervisor, his concerns with upcoming referendum, the self-serving salary ordinance recently passed, and much more.
We're re-publishing the video today with the news of Gonzalez's death. You can also read more about Gonzalez's tenture in Thornton Township at thelansingjournal.org/2026/04/07/thornton-township-trustee-christopher-gonzalez-dies/.
00:35 - Chris Gonzalez has seen the township from every angle
02:18 - Getting a list of hundreds of bills at the last minute
05:35 - Asking questions had made Chris an enemy of Tiffany Henyard
07:46 - "What have I done?" - Chris regrets nominating Tiffany Henyard
12:48 - Mental health referendum on the March 19, 2024 ballot
17:29 - Intentionally crowding the ballot to exclude any opposing referenda
19:56 - Salary ordinance that discourages any opponents
22:37 - Is the Tiffany Henyard Cares Foundation affiliated with Tiffany Henyard?
25:18 - Las Vegas allegations and the potential impact on Supervisor Henyard
27:53 - What can concerned residents do?
29:59 - Is the township level of government even necessary?
33:08 - Will Chris Gonzalez be on the Thornton Township ballot in 2025?
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? Email info@thelansingjournal.org to let us know.
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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. But 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
THORNTON TOWNSHIP, Ill. — Two-term Thornton Township Trustee Christopher Gonzalez has died, Township Clerk Casey Nesbit confirmed on April 7.
At the time of his death, Gonzalez was serving his second term as Thornton Township trustee. Gonzalez is known for his opposition to Thornton Township Supervisor Tiffany Henyard while serving as trustee in 2023 and 2024.
In March 2024, Gonzales sat down with The Lansing Journal's then-managing editor Josh Bootsma to discuss why he regreted nominating Tiffany Henyard as Supervisor, his concerns with upcoming referendum, the self-serving salary ordinance recently passed, and much more.
We're re-publishing the video today with the news of Gonzalez's death. You can also read more about Gonzalez's tenture in Thornton Township at thelansingjournal.org/2026/04/07/thornton-township-trustee-christopher-gonzalez-dies/.
00:35 - Chris Gonzalez has seen the township from every angle
02:18 - Getting a list of hundreds of bills at the last minute
05:35 - Asking questions had made Chris an enemy of Tiffany Henyard
07:46 - "What have I done?" - Chris regrets nominating Tiffany Henyard
12:48 - Mental health referendum on the March 19, 2024 ballot
17:29 - Intentionally crowding the ballot to exclude any opposing referenda
19:56 - Salary ordinance that discourages any opponents
22:37 - Is the Tiffany Henyard Cares Foundation affiliated with Tiffany Henyard?
25:18 - Las Vegas allegations and the potential impact on Supervisor Henyard
27:53 - What can concerned residents do?
29:59 - Is the township level of government even necessary?
33:08 - Will Chris Gonzalez be on the Thornton Township ballot in 2025?
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? Email info@thelansingjournal.org to let us know.
=========
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. But 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
