Illinois town hires former Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot at $400 per hour to investigate scandal-plagued mayor

The former assistant United States attorney was brought on by Dolton's board of trustees and was scheduled to get to work on Tuesday, however she could be blocked from looking into Henyard by the mayor and her cronies.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the trustees hired Lightfoot for $400 per hour to investigate allegations of "excessive and unauthorized use of village funds" on the part of Henyard, noting that the small town has a deficit of $5 million. When her billing hits $30,000, she will provide a full report to officials.

The town's argued in a letter threatening to sue, however, that the trustees "do not have the power to investigate, or to retain someone to investigate" and that as a result, Henyard would not approve any of the payments promised to Lightfoot.

Nonetheless, residents showed a great deal of excitement when Lightfoot's hiring was approved by the trustees on Monday night.

The audience of over 200 clapped as she laid out her plan.

"People in this village want something different, wanna go in a different direction," Lightfoot told the crowd, "and I want to assure you that it is for you why I am here, and I will do my utmost ... to make sure that I serve you with integrity."

"As someone who's made good governance the cornerstone of my public service career," she added, "I recognize maintaining the trust of those you serve and making decisions in their best interest is absolutely essential."

"The residents of Dolton deserve nothing less than a government that is fully accountable, responsive, transparent, and effective stewards of your precious tax dollars."

Henyard has been accused of abusing her position as mayor by spending taxpayer money on a trip to Las Vegas and other luxury goods, and weaponizing the police department to carry out "retaliatory business raids."

She has dismissed the allegations, and blamed the media for pushing "misinformation."