THORNTON TOWNSHIP, Ill. (WLS) – Supporters of Thornton Township Supervisor Tiffany Henyard react after the Democratic caucus selected another candidate at a meeting Tuesday night.

Henyard claimed some of her supporters had been locked out and called the incident “illegal” on Tuesday night. Her followers shared this opinion on Tuesday morning.

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For the first time in 30 years, Thornton Township Democrats used a caucus to determine who will be on the ballot in April.

A crowded gym in the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District erupted in cheers as the fiery caucus rejected incumbent Tiffany Henyard, who has faced criticism over municipal spending.

SEE ALSO | Cook County Sheriff’s deputies attempt to serve eviction papers on Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard

Instead, they nominated State Senator Napoleon Harris as their Democratic challenger for the office.

“We want to get the community back on track, back to where we think it should be, and the only way to do that is through change,” said Democratic Thornton Township Trustee candidate Chris Gonzalez.

“I am so excited about what happened tonight,” Thornton Township resident Deborah Jordan said. “Just seeing everyone so happy and excited. That does mean a change.”

Those seeking the nomination needed all eight people on their list – including a supervisor, a highway director, a clerk, an assessor and four trustees.

READ MORE | Tiffany Henyard criticizes Thornton Township Trustees’ actions to limit spending in special session

Henyard said some of her supporters were not allowed into the caucus on Tuesday evening and criticized the voting process.

Keith Price called the incident an atrocity.

“Last night’s meeting, to me, was the greatest form of voter suppression I have ever seen in my life,” Price said.

A lawyer for Harris disputes the claim and says people showed up early Tuesday afternoon to get a spot at the gym.

As a Democratic Party committee member, Harris has the right to decide whether the nominee will be chosen through a caucus or a primary.

Price said this tactic was fraudulent and estimated that at least 200 people were still standing outside in the cold at the start of the meeting, waiting to get in.

“In order to disrespect the people and simply wait until everyone has been vetted and approved to legally participate in the caucus, they decided to do something very sneaky and deceptive,” Price said.