Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
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An estimated 100 people gathered in the large meeting room at Thornton Township for the 2026 Annual Meeting. They came prepared, having accessed and studied the budgets for Thornton Township's General Fund, General Assistance Fund, and Road and Bridge Fund. They asked specific questions about specific line items — in fact, some had emailed their questions to Finance Director Robert Hunt ahead of time.
Most of those questions remain unanswered, with residents put off until the budget hearing, which is scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026, at 5 p.m.
0:00 - Introduction by Melanie Jongsma and Carole Sharwarko
5:44 - Thornton Township 2026 Annual Meeting called to order at 6:08 p.m. by Clerk Casey Nesbit (No explanation was given for the absence of Supervisor Napoleon Harris)
6:50 - A moment of silence is observe for Trustee Chris Gonzalez, who passed away suddenly on April 7, 2026
8:08 - Announcement of legal publications
9:31 - Nominations for moderator of the annual meeting
10:34 - Aquilla Willis sworn in as moderator and begins leading the meeting
18:28 - Finance Director Robert Hunt begins reading the General Assistance Fund report. When members of the public express trouble following along, it is realized that the handouts provided include all three budget reports, and they are compiled in an order different from what Hunt is reading.
22:21 - Finance Director Hunt begins reading the General Fund report, and people are able to follow along.
30:34 - Thornton Township resident Wendy Kelly questions some of the numbers in the General Fund report
36:07 - Finance Director Hunt reads the General Assistance Fund report
42:41 - Thornton Township resident Mark Washington asks a question about the General Assistance fund report
46:06 - Finance Director Hunt reads the Road and Bridge Fund report
54:43 - Thornton Township resident Paul Robertz asks questions about the Road and Bridge Fund report
57:07 - Thornton Township resident Lamont Robertson expresses frustration with the lack of answers
01:00:30 - Public comment opens
01:02:36 - Wendy Kelly
01:02:40 - Ruby Donahue
01:08:16 - Beverly Tomczak
01:10:51 - Venetia Thomas and Lamont Robertson
01:18:08 - Cassandra Elston
01:18:26 - Janell Taylor
01:20:45 - Recognition of township officials
01:21:13 - Adjournment at 7:24 p.m.
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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
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.
=========
An estimated 100 people gathered in the large meeting room at Thornton Township for the 2026 Annual Meeting. They came prepared, having accessed and studied the budgets for Thornton Township's General Fund, General Assistance Fund, and Road and Bridge Fund. They asked specific questions about specific line items — in fact, some had emailed their questions to Finance Director Robert Hunt ahead of time.
Most of those questions remain unanswered, with residents put off until the budget hearing, which is scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026, at 5 p.m.
0:00 - Introduction by Melanie Jongsma and Carole Sharwarko
5:44 - Thornton Township 2026 Annual Meeting called to order at 6:08 p.m. by Clerk Casey Nesbit (No explanation was given for the absence of Supervisor Napoleon Harris)
6:50 - A moment of silence is observe for Trustee Chris Gonzalez, who passed away suddenly on April 7, 2026
8:08 - Announcement of legal publications
9:31 - Nominations for moderator of the annual meeting
10:34 - Aquilla Willis sworn in as moderator and begins leading the meeting
18:28 - Finance Director Robert Hunt begins reading the General Assistance Fund report. When members of the public express trouble following along, it is realized that the handouts provided include all three budget reports, and they are compiled in an order different from what Hunt is reading.
22:21 - Finance Director Hunt begins reading the General Fund report, and people are able to follow along.
30:34 - Thornton Township resident Wendy Kelly questions some of the numbers in the General Fund report
36:07 - Finance Director Hunt reads the General Assistance Fund report
42:41 - Thornton Township resident Mark Washington asks a question about the General Assistance fund report
46:06 - Finance Director Hunt reads the Road and Bridge Fund report
54:43 - Thornton Township resident Paul Robertz asks questions about the Road and Bridge Fund report
57:07 - Thornton Township resident Lamont Robertson expresses frustration with the lack of answers
01:00:30 - Public comment opens
01:02:36 - Wendy Kelly
01:02:40 - Ruby Donahue
01:08:16 - Beverly Tomczak
01:10:51 - Venetia Thomas and Lamont Robertson
01:18:08 - Cassandra Elston
01:18:26 - Janell Taylor
01:20:45 - Recognition of township officials
01:21:13 - Adjournment at 7:24 p.m.
=====
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
