Former Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard said Thursday she is calling for Illinois leaders to take action on gun violence after her father was shot in Chicago.

Henyard posted a statement on social media saying her father “was an innocent victim of this random and heartbreaking violence” that reflects a larger issue of gun violence that affects too many people.

She called on Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to reconsider receiving assistance from the Trump administration to better protect Illinois residents.

“The difference between Illinois and those other states is simple, their leadership chose collaboration, and that collaboration produced results,” Henyard said.

A Chicago police report says Ronald Henyard, a 65-year-old man from Dolton, was in an alley when he was struck in the neck by unknown gunfire at around 6 p.m. Wednesday on the 1300 Block of Kedzie Avenue and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in serious condition.

Community activist Jedidiah Brown, who spoke out against Henyard’s administration and was involved in a brawl that broke out at a Thornton Township meeting in January 2025 after he called Henyard an expletive, called for people to support Henyard after her father was shot in the neck.

“Whatever divides us, this is a moment for compassion, hoping she finds strength in knowing that people everywhere are praying for her father, her family and for her,” Brown said in a social media post.

Henyard was elected Dolton mayor in 2021 and appointed Thornton Township supervisor later that year by trustees, but failed to be reelected after a tumultuous term in both offices. State Sen. Napoleon Harris was elected supervisor and Jason House was elected mayor last year.

House, in a statement representing the Dolton Village Board, extended thoughts, prayers and support to Henyard and her family. House separately confirmed that Ronald Henyard is Tiffany Henyard’s father.

“We are saddened to learn of the tragic incident involving her father,” House said. “Our thoughts are with him as he fights toward recovery, and with his family as they navigate this moment of uncertainty and concern. In times like these, we are reminded of the importance of community, compassion and lifting one another up.”

ostevens@chicagotribune.com