Delving into the financial tumult of Dolton, former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has presented findings that spell out a troubling scenario for the south suburban village. According to NBC Chicago, the village has not produced an annual report or audit since 2021, and as matters stand, their general fund earmarked for everyday expenses is faced with a whopping $3.65 million debt.
Lightfoot, appointed by the village trustees, has identified that there are over 589 checks worth more than $6 million that have been approved but have yet to be sent out to vendors due to financial insufficiency. About 160 attendees of a special Village Board meeting, she also pointed to the absence of compliance with state laws requiring the filing of financial reports. All the while, a former bastion of surplus has visibly turned into cavernous deficits, as reported by The Chicago Tribune.
This unraveling financial predicament has led to changes, including a brand-new credit card policy approved by the Dolton Village Board and changes to Village Hall locks, possibly indicative of attempts to tighten fiscal security. Moreover, Lightfoot has found an alarming spike in Police Department spending, escalating from $7.7 million in fiscal 2022 to a staggering $9.2 million in the latest fiscal year, as per the Chicago Tribune. As Trustee Jason House conveyed, the village's monetary standing is indeed "dire," mirroring a sentiment that echoes across the concerned voices of trustees.
_(3x4).jpg){kind=link}