Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
With no fanfare and little conversation, Curtis Thompson took the oath of office to become Thornton Township’s newest trustee during a Board of Trustees meeting on May 18. No information was provided by Harris about Thompson’s qualifications or background, or the selection process for the new trustee.
Carole Sharwarko reported the news in an article published the same night: thelansingjournal.org/2026/05/18/thornton-township-appoints-curtis-thompson-to-fill-vacant-seat
This is the video of that meeting, including an introduction by Sharwarko and Melanie Jongsma:
0:00 - Introduction
4:20 - Regular meeting of the Thornton Township Board of Trustees
6:21 - Public comment by Amir Shakur
8:35 - Public comment by Beth McBride
10:47 - Approval of minutes from the April meetings
12:36 - Approval of bills from the General Fund, General Assistance Fund, and Road and Bridge Fund
14:23 - The board adjourns to closed session at 6:19 p.m.
15:11 - The board returns to open session at 6:46 p.m.
15:54 - The board approves Supervisor Harris to serve as the IMRF Agent (Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund)
16:35 - The board approves unpublished expenditures for conferences, training, and dues
17:21 - Approval of events
17:55 - Approval of Curtis Thompson to fill the trustee position vacated by the passing of Trustee Chris Gonzalez
20:57 - Approval of closed session minutes from the April meeting
21:48 - Sitting trustees, except Trustee Mary Avent, welcome and congratulate new trustee Curtis Thompson
22:10 - Supervisor Report
33:49 - Trustee Mary Avent defends township services
35:43 - Adjournment at 7:06 p.m.
36:18 - Reporter Carole Sharwarko tries to get information from Trustee Curtis Thompson
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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
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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
With no fanfare and little conversation, Curtis Thompson took the oath of office to become Thornton Township’s newest trustee during a Board of Trustees meeting on May 18. No information was provided by Harris about Thompson’s qualifications or background, or the selection process for the new trustee.
Carole Sharwarko reported the news in an article published the same night: thelansingjournal.org/2026/05/18/thornton-township-appoints-curtis-thompson-to-fill-vacant-seat
This is the video of that meeting, including an introduction by Sharwarko and Melanie Jongsma:
0:00 - Introduction
4:20 - Regular meeting of the Thornton Township Board of Trustees
6:21 - Public comment by Amir Shakur
8:35 - Public comment by Beth McBride
10:47 - Approval of minutes from the April meetings
12:36 - Approval of bills from the General Fund, General Assistance Fund, and Road and Bridge Fund
14:23 - The board adjourns to closed session at 6:19 p.m.
15:11 - The board returns to open session at 6:46 p.m.
15:54 - The board approves Supervisor Harris to serve as the IMRF Agent (Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund)
16:35 - The board approves unpublished expenditures for conferences, training, and dues
17:21 - Approval of events
17:55 - Approval of Curtis Thompson to fill the trustee position vacated by the passing of Trustee Chris Gonzalez
20:57 - Approval of closed session minutes from the April meeting
21:48 - Sitting trustees, except Trustee Mary Avent, welcome and congratulate new trustee Curtis Thompson
22:10 - Supervisor Report
33:49 - Trustee Mary Avent defends township services
35:43 - Adjournment at 7:06 p.m.
36:18 - Reporter Carole Sharwarko tries to get information from Trustee Curtis Thompson
=====
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
