Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago
In the intro to the video of the July 20, 2026, Thornton Township board meeting, Carole Sharwarko and Melanie Jongsma point out a few items of note and ask for viewer opinions.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction by Carole Sharwarko and Melanie Jongsma
0:22 - Trustee Curtis Thompson absent again
1:32 - Flooding concerns from township residents
3:12 - Should Supervisor Harris have shamed the libraries?
4:50 - Is the new township website more helpful to residents?
5:45 - Property tax rebates will be announced on the new website
6:22 - The importance of your viewership
7:35 - Thornton Township board meeting called to order
8:40 - Pastor Nathaniel Bowman opens the public meeting with prayer
9:29 - Public comment — three township residents describe their flooding problems and ask for help
16:16 - Approval of minutes from the June meeting, and approval of bills from the three funds
18:16 - Approval of conferences/trainings/dues
19:02 - Approval of events (no dates or budgets provided)
19:50 - Closed session, followed by return to open session
21:19 - Supervisor Report
26:15 - About the tax refund program
27:06 - About the new township website
28:25 - About the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award won by the Thornton Township Finance Department
36:45 - About the libraries' non-participation in Thornton Township's launch event for their sponsorship of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program
40:29 - About the Taste of Thornton Township held Saturday, July 18
45:19 - About other upcoming township events
47:07 - Thornton Township's new promo video, "What is a township?"
48:37 - Adjournment
Share your thoughts in the comments below, or email info@thelansingjournal.org
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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 your 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
In the intro to the video of the July 20, 2026, Thornton Township board meeting, Carole Sharwarko and Melanie Jongsma point out a few items of note and ask for viewer opinions.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction by Carole Sharwarko and Melanie Jongsma
0:22 - Trustee Curtis Thompson absent again
1:32 - Flooding concerns from township residents
3:12 - Should Supervisor Harris have shamed the libraries?
4:50 - Is the new township website more helpful to residents?
5:45 - Property tax rebates will be announced on the new website
6:22 - The importance of your viewership
7:35 - Thornton Township board meeting called to order
8:40 - Pastor Nathaniel Bowman opens the public meeting with prayer
9:29 - Public comment — three township residents describe their flooding problems and ask for help
16:16 - Approval of minutes from the June meeting, and approval of bills from the three funds
18:16 - Approval of conferences/trainings/dues
19:02 - Approval of events (no dates or budgets provided)
19:50 - Closed session, followed by return to open session
21:19 - Supervisor Report
26:15 - About the tax refund program
27:06 - About the new township website
28:25 - About the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award won by the Thornton Township Finance Department
36:45 - About the libraries' non-participation in Thornton Township's launch event for their sponsorship of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program
40:29 - About the Taste of Thornton Township held Saturday, July 18
45:19 - About other upcoming township events
47:07 - Thornton Township's new promo video, "What is a township?"
48:37 - Adjournment
Share your thoughts in the comments below, or email info@thelansingjournal.org
=====
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 your 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
