Attorneys in a Dolton eviction case that targets Mayor Tiffany Henyard told a judge Tuesday they are very close to a settlement, but that access to the property is still a sticking point.
During the hearing at the Markham courthouse, with participants taking part via Zoom, McStephen O.A. “Max” Solomon, Henyard’s attorney, told Cook County Judge Carrie Hamilton he was withdrawing a previous motion asking to be cut loose from the case.
Solomon did not say why he was reversing his stance, and Hamilton allowed him to remain as Henyard’s lawyer.
The attorney’s motion to withdraw, filed Jan. 2, did not state a particular reason for pulling out other than it is his “wish and decision.”
Solomon has previously been at Dolton Village Board meetings, sitting next to Henyard and advising her, although not introduced as her counsel.
The eviction lawsuit will come back before Hamilton on Jan. 14.
Solomon and Jayman Avery, attorney for landlord Genetta Hull, said they are close to a settlement and most of the back rent owed by Henyard and another tenant, Kamal Woods, has been paid.
Solomon said a check for this month’s rent is due to be turned over to Hull or her attorney on Friday.
Hull filed eviction papers in September, saying Henyard and Woods, a Thornton Township employee, were in arrears on rent by more than $3,300 for the home in the 14600 block of Harvard Street.
In an amended complaint filed by Hull Dec. 2, she said the pair owed more than $13,600 in rent, damages and attorney fees.
According to the amended lawsuit, Henyard moved out of the property sometime in October but Woods still lives there.
He directs the youth program at Thornton Township, where Henyard is supervisor.
Solomon asked the judge at Tuesday’s hearing that Henyard be removed from the case, but Hamilton did not rule on the request.
“She is not a tenant there, she doesn’t live there,” Solomon said.
He argued the judge doesn’t have jurisdiction to decide whether Hull should have access to the property, something she had sought in the original complaint to perform an inspection.
Hamilton countered that she does have jurisdiction, but did not rule on giving Hull access to the property.
Solomon said he and Avery are still discussing the “when, how, where” of access and the “terms of how that is going to happen.”
A lease agreement among Hull, Henyard and Woods shows Henyard living at an address in the 14400 block of Dobson in Dolton and Woods living at an address on Grandview Drive in South Holland.
mnolan@southtownstar.com
