Illinois landlord Genetta Hull is facing an uphill battle trying to evict Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard from her property. Hull began renting the home to Henyard and her boyfriend, Kamal Woods, in 2021, but Hull claims she hasn't received a payment since August, and is owed $5,000 in overdue rent and late fees as of NBC Chicago's reporting of the story on Oct. 22.

"For a household that makes over $350,000 a year, I am asking for pennies," she said. Previous reporting by the station indicated the couple's rent was $2,400 per month.

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As mayor of the Illinois village, Henyard's salary is supposed to be $46,000, according to the Chicago Tribune's Daily Southtown, but she also serves as Thornton Township's supervisor, which comes with a salary of $224,000. Woods also works as part of the township's youth assistance program, and a township trustee told the publication that Woods is paid a six-figure salary.

Despite several attempts to resolve the tenancy issue — even calling the sheriff multiple times to serve the couple — Hull claims they have been unresponsive. Further complicating matters, she told NBC Chicago that the house's locks were changed and she can't access the garage.

"I don't think the money is worth it," she admitted to the local broadcaster. "I would have rather rented to someone who is an honest person and works hard. As a mayor, you would think they would uphold positive citizen standards. You don't see that with these people, they just feel like they can do whatever they want."

Henyard's tenure in public service has been rife with scandal. She's the focus of a number of investigations and lawsuits pertaining to both her roles, according to NBC Chicago, including for alleged financial mismanagement, corruption and retaliation. On Oct. 15, she announced her bid for a second term as Dolton's mayor.

An attorney for Henyard declined to comment on the broadcaster's Oct. 22 eviction story.

Navigating evictions for landlords

In Dolton, Illinois, which is located in Cook County, strict tenant protection laws require landlords to adhere to a detailed eviction process. Landlords must first issue a written notice to end the lease, file an eviction case in court, serve the tenant with eviction papers and attend eviction court, either on a video call or in person.