Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 23 hours ago
The Lansing Journal's YouTube channel is being sponsored this month by Lansing Christian School, Melanie Jongsma's alma mater! A solid, faith-based education prepares you for plans you haven’t even dreamed of yet, and it teaches you that we each have a role to play in making the world better. "Lansing Christian School helped make me the person I am today," says Melanie. See what they can do for the kids in your life.
Lansing Christian School:
• 3660 Randolph Street, Lansing, IL 60438
• (708) 474-1700
• facebook.com/LansingChristianSchool
• lansingchristian.org
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As we reported in an earlier video, the Thornton Township Board meeting that had been scheduled for Monday, March 16, was cancelled without explanation, leaving would-be attendees out in the cold. The meeting was rescheduled for Wednesday, March 18, and a different agenda was posted with the new meeting date.
Though the agenda was packed, including approval of large expenses, and a verbal reading of budgets by Finance Director Robert Hunt, there was no discussion by board members before approval was granted.
For the last 10 minutes of the meeting, Harris used his Supervisor's Report to tout the accomplishments of his administration. He also referenced constituents who said they were unaware of township events and programs and promised, "We're looking for more creative ways to get the information out." (Harris has yet to respond to any of The Lansing Journal's requests for information on behalf of the public.)
He then "poured his heart out" and, echoing his predecessor Tiffany Henyard, expressed his resolution to disregard "fake news." Responding to criticism about the fact that he holds multiple jobs, including one with a salary that is four times the average household income in Thornton Township, Harris again spoke from the Tiffany Henyard playbook: "There was a predecessor before me who had multiple jobs but it was never a problem."
0:00 - Sponsorship message from Lansing Christian School
0:38 - Introduction by Carole Sharwarko
3:48 - Thornton Township regular board meeting called to order
4:45 - Pastor Nate Bowman opens with prayer
5:56 - Public comment by Felicia Johnson
6:31 - Public comment by Paul Robertz
10:13 - Public comment by Carlos Rhodes
14:14 - Budgets read by Finance Director Robert Hunt
20:53 - The board mistakenly approves the budgets, rather than voting to post them for public review
24:40 - Approval of minutes from February meeting
25:12 - Approval of bills from all three funds
26:36 - Approval of Request for Proposals for senior lawncare services
27:19 - Approval of agenda for the Annual Meeting
28:12 - Approval of ADP services agreement
28:43 - Approval of travel expenses for conferences in Florida, East Peoria, and Chicago
29:58 - Approval of various events (dollar amounts were not listed in the agenda, but Supervisor Harris read them during the meeting)
33:00 - Adjournment to closed session, and return to open meeting
33:43 - Approval of revisions to Employee Handbook
34:40 - Explanation of the $500,000 grant that must be returned
37:15 - Explanation of settlement with Dwayne Thrash
40:32 - Supervisor's report
49:40 - "An eagle don't fly with pigeons"
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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
=========
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
The Lansing Journal's YouTube channel is being sponsored this month by Lansing Christian School, Melanie Jongsma's alma mater! A solid, faith-based education prepares you for plans you haven’t even dreamed of yet, and it teaches you that we each have a role to play in making the world better. "Lansing Christian School helped make me the person I am today," says Melanie. See what they can do for the kids in your life.
Lansing Christian School:
• 3660 Randolph Street, Lansing, IL 60438
• (708) 474-1700
• facebook.com/LansingChristianSchool
• lansingchristian.org
=========
As we reported in an earlier video, the Thornton Township Board meeting that had been scheduled for Monday, March 16, was cancelled without explanation, leaving would-be attendees out in the cold. The meeting was rescheduled for Wednesday, March 18, and a different agenda was posted with the new meeting date.
Though the agenda was packed, including approval of large expenses, and a verbal reading of budgets by Finance Director Robert Hunt, there was no discussion by board members before approval was granted.
For the last 10 minutes of the meeting, Harris used his Supervisor's Report to tout the accomplishments of his administration. He also referenced constituents who said they were unaware of township events and programs and promised, "We're looking for more creative ways to get the information out." (Harris has yet to respond to any of The Lansing Journal's requests for information on behalf of the public.)
He then "poured his heart out" and, echoing his predecessor Tiffany Henyard, expressed his resolution to disregard "fake news." Responding to criticism about the fact that he holds multiple jobs, including one with a salary that is four times the average household income in Thornton Township, Harris again spoke from the Tiffany Henyard playbook: "There was a predecessor before me who had multiple jobs but it was never a problem."
0:00 - Sponsorship message from Lansing Christian School
0:38 - Introduction by Carole Sharwarko
3:48 - Thornton Township regular board meeting called to order
4:45 - Pastor Nate Bowman opens with prayer
5:56 - Public comment by Felicia Johnson
6:31 - Public comment by Paul Robertz
10:13 - Public comment by Carlos Rhodes
14:14 - Budgets read by Finance Director Robert Hunt
20:53 - The board mistakenly approves the budgets, rather than voting to post them for public review
24:40 - Approval of minutes from February meeting
25:12 - Approval of bills from all three funds
26:36 - Approval of Request for Proposals for senior lawncare services
27:19 - Approval of agenda for the Annual Meeting
28:12 - Approval of ADP services agreement
28:43 - Approval of travel expenses for conferences in Florida, East Peoria, and Chicago
29:58 - Approval of various events (dollar amounts were not listed in the agenda, but Supervisor Harris read them during the meeting)
33:00 - Adjournment to closed session, and return to open meeting
33:43 - Approval of revisions to Employee Handbook
34:40 - Explanation of the $500,000 grant that must be returned
37:15 - Explanation of settlement with Dwayne Thrash
40:32 - Supervisor's report
49:40 - "An eagle don't fly with pigeons"
=========
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
=========
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
