Latest news with #LarryDominick
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Key suburban political races to watch, from Dolton to Arlington Heights
The Brief Early voting is underway for the February 25 primary and April 1 general election in several suburban communities, including Berwyn and Cicero. In Cicero, tensions are high as town presidential candidate Esteban Rodriguez calls for an investigation into alleged election interference by incumbent Larry Dominick. Other key suburban races include the Aurora mayoral election, Arlington Heights' leadership change amid the Bears stadium debate, and Dolton's mayoral race, where Mayor Tiffany Henyard faces a federal investigation. CICERO, Ill. - Early voting has begun in the suburbs for the February 25 primary election and the April 1 general election. That includes west suburban Berwyn and Cicero—where politics are heating up. Tensions are rising as Cicero town presidential candidate Esteban Rodriguez is calling on the attorney general and state's attorney to investigate alleged election interference by longtime incumbent Larry Dominick. The backstory On Friday, FOX 32 reported that the front windows of Esteban Rodriguez's home and campaign headquarters were smashed in separate incidents. Video obtained by FOX 32's Paris Schutz shows a suspect throwing a large brick through the window of Rodriguez's house. A photo shared by Schutz also shows damage done to his campaign headquarters. In a post on X, Schutz wrote: "It's election season… in Cicero. Both the home and campaign HQ of town president candidate Esteban Rodriguez - running against longtime local machine incumbent Larry Dominick were bricked/vandalized last night. No suspects yet. Nobody was hurt." Cicero police confirmed that reports have been filed regarding the incident, and an investigation is currently underway. There are no reports of injuries, and authorities are working to identify the offender. Rodriguez is accusing Dominick of being behind the vandalism, while a voter group aligned with Dominick suggests Rodriguez may have staged it himself for attention. What we know Five candidates are challenging incumbent Richard Irvin in the upcoming election. Listed in ballot order, the challengers are John Laesch, Ted Mesiacos, Karina Garcia, Jazmine Garcia, and Jud Lofchie. Irvin, who ran unsuccessfully for governor as a Republican in 2022, has faced scrutiny over city contracts awarded to politically connected individuals—an issue his opponents have been quick to spotlight. With incumbent Tom Hayes not seeking reelection in Arlington Heights, the race is between challengers Tom Schwingbeck, Jim Tinaglia and Jon Ridler. And, the proposed Bears stadium at the old Arlington Racetrack site is shaping up to be a key election issue. The backstory In November 2022, village trustees approved a zoning change to allow a sports betting facility near the old Arlington International Racecourse. The zone change was critical to the Bears' development proposal to create an NFL stadium and mixed-used commercial district on the 326-acre site. In 2023, the Chicago Bears announced that they officially purchased the Arlington Park property in Arlington Heights. The Bears made the purchase for $197.2 million. However, the organization says just because the purchase was finalized, that doesn't mean their vision for building a domed stadium and entertainment district is a done deal. The building of a Bears entertainment district, analysts say, would create more than 48,000 jobs and generate $9.4 billion for the local economy. The proposed stadium would be built just east of Illinois Route 53 and south of Northwest Highway. Less than half of the 326-acre property would make up the stadium and parking. While the Bears have yet to determine capacity, officials said the new facility would hold significantly more fans than Soldier Field. In December 2024, the Arlington Heights Board of Trustees unanimously approved a measure that solidified a settlement between the Bears and three local school districts, setting the team's annual tax bill for their 326-acre Arlington Heights property at $3.6 million as long as the land remains undeveloped. While this agreement resolves a long-running property tax dispute and lays the groundwork for future development, the Bears have reiterated that their current focus remains on exploring a new stadium at Chicago's lakefront. Heading south to Dolton, where the spotlight is on Mayor Tiffany Henyard, who is under federal investigation and facing scrutiny over an independent report detailing the town's excessive spending— including an ice rink, a trip to Las Vegas, and hundreds of thousands in Amazon purchases. Council member Jason House is challenging Henyard, hoping to tap into the frustration many residents feel about the state of their community. The backstory Henyard has stirred up controversy in both Dolton and Thornton Township, where she was a supervisor, and now she's facing an FBI investigation. In May 2024, Henyard was named in a seven-page subpoena served at Dolton Village Hall back, which asked for all payments, expense reimbursements, per diems and credit card expenditures for her, beginning just before the election in 2021. The same information was also requested from her top assistant, Keith Freeman, and a pair of businesses controlled by Freeman as well as several trustees and village employees who had traveled with Henyard. The subpoena also showed that the FBI is looking into complaints by Dolton business owners whose licenses have been held up by the village, asking for licensing information for 10 bars and restaurants, including two that were raided and closed by Dolton police in February – Rinky's Bar and Pablo's Cafe and Bar. The feds are reportedly focusing on all the expensive out-of-state travel by Henyard and her crew, including first class plane tickets, asking for travel records for all trips, but specifying Washington D.C., Las Vegas and Portland, Oregon. RELATED: Thornton Township subpoenas reveal Tiffany Henyard is target of criminal investigation The FBI also asked for shift records for a number of officers assigned to her detail, including officer Terry Young, who last May reported working 303 hours over a two-week period. The subpoena asked for information about Henyard's charitable foundation, which used employees and vehicles from Dolton as part of a march to Springfield in 2022. A federal grand jury has been conducting a criminal investigation into Henyard since November 2023. In all, the FBI served a total of five subpoenas over a two-week period on Dolton and Thornton Township, where Henyard also serves as supervisor. Michael Airhart Lawrence L. Jackson Rena Poulos Robert J. Lovero Rafael 'Ralph' Avila Alicia Maria Ruiz James Patton Jr. Thaddeus Jones Thomas M. Connelly Jeffery D. Schielke Kevin Burns Karsten Pawlik Clint Hull Lora A. Vitek Scott M. Levin Mark A. Mulliner Gary Fasules James Burket Michael Ontiveroz Rebecca Giannelli James Francis Sullivan Michael J. Light Mary Jo Mullen Christopher "Chris" R. Pecak For more information on Cook County elections, click here. For more information on Kane County elections, click here. For more information on Will County elections, click here. For more information on Lake County elections, click here. For more information on Kendall County elections, click here. For more information on DuPage County elections, click here. The Source Paris Schutz reported on this story from Chicago.
Chicago Tribune
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Esteban Rodriguez: Cicero's residents are particularly vulnerable under Donald Trump's agenda
Across the country, communities are on edge as immigration enforcement intensifies under Donald Trump's administration. The raids over the weekend have dominated headlines and conversations between family members, leaving many of us wondering if our neighborhood will be next. In Cicero, the harsh reality many are facing is that the town is not a sanctuary city. For me, a resident and lifelong Ciceronian, the situation grew even more alarming last week when news broke that a U.S. citizen was mistakenly detained during a raid in Newark, New Jersey. The individual, a military veteran, was swept up without cause. Weren't these operations supposed to target only undocumented individuals with serious criminal records? This action is a stark reminder of the chaos and recklessness these operations have shown in the past — chaos that now threatens to repeat itself. If citizens aren't safe, what does that say about the length authorities are willing to go in their crackdown on undocumented immigrants? And while the weight of these policies is felt nationwide, their impact is particularly devastating in places such as Cicero — where I grew up and now raise my family — where the risks are especially dire. Cicero is a vibrant town directly west of Chicago and has long been a cornerstone of culture, community and economic activity in Illinois. With nearly 90% of the population identifying as Latino, the town thrives on the contributions of all its residents and particularly its Hispanic residents who have made it a well-known Hispanic enclave, not just locally but at a national level. Yet, beneath the surface of this thriving community is a deep sense of fear. Parents worry about dropping their children off at school, unsure if they'll be able to pick them up. Workers hesitate to leave for their jobs, uncertain if they'll return home to their families. These fears aren't just theoretical; they've been part of our past and have resurfaced in the immediate present. This daily reality is not sustainable, and it starkly contrasts with the hope and resilience that Cicero's residents have always embodied. Today, Cicero remains ground zero as the most vulnerable town in Illinois during immigration raids. With the highest percentage of undocumented immigrants per capita in the state, it has become a critical target for enforcement operations. In part, this is because unlike many other municipalities in Illinois, we don't have real sanctuary city protection. Sanctuary cities adopt policies to limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents, giving undocumented residents a sense of security. But Cicero has no such safeguards. The reason can be attributed to Cicero's longtime town president, Larry Dominick. Known for his anti-immigrant stance, Dominick has ensured that Cicero remains a place where immigrants lack the basic protections they need. Nonetheless, you'd think that with so many immigrant families and such visible vulnerabilities, other elected leaders would be stepping up to protect our community. Surely, Latino elected officials — many of whom know firsthand the struggles this community faces — would step in to defend their constituents, right? Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case. Instead, their inaction seems tainted by Dominick's old-school politics, leaving the community without the support it desperately needs. For years, Dominick has ruled Cicero with the kind of political machine tactics that prioritize power over people. His legacy is marred by corruption, from lawsuits alleging racial discrimination to allegations of misusing public funds. Despite these scandals, Dominick has maintained control through patronage, intimidation and backroom deals. This has created a climate where challenging him feels politically risky, leaving many of our local leaders — our heroes — silent, complicit or too fearful to act. Today, I'm calling on our elected officials to rise above politics and confront the human cost of inaction, even if it feels politically perilous. Whether it's advocating for sanctuary protections, supporting immigrant rights organizations or holding local leaders accountable, there are countless ways to make a difference. Our community is under siege, and every moment of delay puts more families at risk of being torn apart. This isn't just about policies; it's about people — our neighbors, friends and families who deserve to live without fear. Let this be the moment we show that unity and compassion are stronger than fear and indifference. The time to act is now. Together, we can restore trust, protect our neighbors and ensure that every family — regardless of their status — can live with dignity and peace. Let's not wait until it's too late to make a difference.
