Lacey’s Place, an Illinois-based chain of bars and gambling parlors, alleges in a lawsuit that the village of Dolton and Mayor Tiffany Henyard has not renewed its municipal liquor license for political reasons.
“The underlying reason for the Village’s refusal to renew Lacey’s Place’s liquor license is due to the Mayor of Dolton’s refusal to renew licenses to establishments who did not support or contribute to her political campaign,” attorneys for Lacey’s state in the lawsuit, filed July 31 in Cook County Circuit Court.
In response, attorneys from the Del Galdo Law Group, representing the village and Henyard, asked that the case be moved to federal court, arguing because Lacey’s claimed Dolton violated its due process rights under the U.S. Constitution and Illinois Constitution, it is a federal case.
Del Galdo Law Group declined to comment and Lacey’s attorney did not respond to several requests for comment. Neither Lacey’s Place, the village or Henyard responded to requests for comment.
The original lawsuit by Lacey’s claims its liquor license for its Dolton location expired earlier this year through no fault of its own.
“Lacey’s Place was told by Village agents that the Village is refusing to renew all liquor licenses until the Village completes its tax audit,” the lawsuit reads. “However, the Village stated that they would continue to allow all businesses to operate past the expiration of their local licenses until completion of the audit.”
Lacey’s Place and similar institutions need a municipal liquor license and a state license to sell alcohol. Lacey’s Place stated its state liquor license expired the day the motion was filed and in order for them to renew the state license, the Dolton location must have an up-to-date municipal liquor license.
However, records indicate the state renewed its liquor license for Lacey’s Dolton location through the end of July 2024. The Illinois Liquor Control Commission did not immediately respond to a request as to why it renewed Lacey’s Dolton liquor license despite its municipal liquor license having expired.
The suit also claims gaming licenses in the state can only be provided to businesses with working liquor licenses, so this Dolton holdup threatens use of its gambling machines.
The suit asks the court to require Dolton to renew Lacey’s Place’s municipal liquor license. It also seeks reimbursement of legal fees.
The lawsuit doesn’t state specifics on the allegation the liquor license delay is political. It does say the refusal to renew the license was made without any reasonable basis and without an administrative hearing or decision.
Illinois State Board of Election records indicate Lacey’s Place has not donated to Friends of Tiffany Henyard, the mayor’s campaign fund.
Records show several other Dolton bars that have state liquor licenses have donated to Henyard although it is not unusual for a candidate to receive donations from local businesses. A law firm called Delgado Law Group with the same address as the law group representing Henyard and the village has donated $14,700 to Friends of Tiffany Henyard.
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The Dolton Park District planned to file a lawsuit naming defendants including the village and Henyard, but no information about whether the complaint had been filed was available late Tuesday.
Dolton authorities had erected concrete barriers at a park where the car show was to have been held this past Saturday, according to the Park District.
The car show was being held by Darin Bosley, who had received a permit from the Park District to hold the event.
At the news conference Tuesday Park Board President Cleo Jones declined to detail what allegations the district’s lawsuit may make.
He said the village’s actions to close the park represented a “full takeover” of Park District property, which is a separate entity, with its own governing board and tax levy, from the village.
“We have to send a strong message to the village of Dolton,” Jones said.
Daily Southtown reporter Mike Nolan contributed to this article.
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