In the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, a lawsuit was filed on April 23, 2024, by plaintiffs Tyrone Isom Jr., Elite Clientle Inc., and Isom and Sole Inc. against defendants Mayor Tiffany Henyard (individually and as Mayor of the Village of Dolton), Inspector Kim Alston, Keith Freeman, Carmen Carlisle and Village of Dolton. The case ID is 1:24-cv-03236.
The plaintiffs, represented by Gregory E. Kulis and Associates Ltd., allege that they were misled by the defendants regarding their ability to open a barbershop at a property located at 1031 Sibley Blvd in Dolton, Illinois. The plaintiff Tyrone Isom Jr. purchased this property with the intention to expand his business footprint as a longtime barber in the south suburbs.
Despite being informed by defendant Keith Freeman that he would receive his permits within weeks and could then get his business license, Isom Jr.'s application for a business license was denied orally without any written confirmation. This denial allegedly came after Carmen Carlisle, executive assistant to Mayor Tiffany Henyard, informed Isom Jr. that the mayor did not want a barbershop at that location.
The plaintiffs are seeking judgment against the defendants for misleading them into investing in property under false pretenses. They argue that they made significant financial investments into improving the property based on assurances from village officials that they would be able to operate their intended business there.