Bank Threatens to Repossess Ill. Town's Police Cruisers, Other Vehicles

Feb. 16, 2024
The Village of Dolton failed to make a loan payment of over $76,000 last year, according to the bank, but trustees said the payment was authorized in May and don't know why it wasn't made.

A bank is threatening to repossess an Illinois town's police cruisers and other municipal vehicles because of a failure to make tens of thousands of dollars worth of payments.

According to a letter from KS StateBank sent on Feb. 14, the Village of Dolton failed to make a loan payment of over $76,000 roughly nine months ago, WGN-TV reports. Because of that, the bank has threatened to repossess over a dozen village vehicles, including six Dolton police cruisers.

“Due to failure to maintain current payments, the Contract is now in default. As of the date of this letter, the amount past due is $76,138.00 with interest accruing thereon,” a letter from the bank stated.

The bank said it has repeatedly contacted the village, but has not received any replies. Village trustees and officials told WGN that the payment had been approved in May, and they didn't know why it wasn't made. 

Burt Odelson, the village board's legislative counsel, placed blame of the non-payment on Mayor Tiffany Henyard. A WGN investigation had found the village spent money on expensive trips and experience while ignoring bill payments.

“I have never, ever seen the abuse that this mayor is laying on the feet of her citizens, ever,” Odelson told WGN.

The bank did not specify when they would begin repossessions or if it would stop such actions once payment is made.

About the Author

Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.

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