Michael Howie / Wikimedia Commons
Balancing budget deficit concerns with benefits of buying the childhood home of Pope Leo XIV, the mayor of the Village of Dolton advocated ahead of a pivotal Board vote for the village to purchase the home, describing the circumstance as a “once in a lifetime opportunity” for the community.
Recognizing that streets need repairs, infrastructure needs attention, and back bills need addressing, Dolton Mayor Jason House said July 1 that buying Pope Leo’s childhood home “does not derail” from pouring efforts into those needs.
House was sworn in as mayor of the Village of Dolton just days before Pope Leo was elected to the papacy May 8. House succeeded Mayor Tiffany Henyard, who, according to a May 12 report from ABC 7 Chicago, “faced corruption and political retaliation allegations,” which caused tensions that eventually escalated to a brawl between an activist and a supporter of Henyard during a meeting.
In the wake of the controversies with Henyard, Dolton community members expressed that they were encouraged by the connection to Pope Leo’s childhood home, which is located in the village.
“We are trying to move past the negative, so it’s like a breath of fresh air,” Dolton Village Trustee Brittany Norwood told ABC 7 Chicago in May after the connection came to light.
Dolton resident Donna Sagna Davis, whose home is next door to where the Pope grew up, told the outlet that in her opinion, the historic tie “is definitely a change in our atmosphere, and definitely is bringing hope to our community, healing to our community.”
According to WGN9, in 2024 the village was estimated to be operating at a $2.8 million deficit. Ahead of the July 1 vote, House acknowledged concerns of the village’s financial condition, especially that the property would have to be maintained. However, House noted, policemen and public officials are already incurring costs on that front, to keep the community safe as visitors come to see where Pope Leo grew up. He argued that this is all the more a reason to purchase the home.
“We want to make sure that anybody that comes into our community is safe… That’s a cost we will incur, whether we own the property or not; there will be no getting around that — why would we not want to participate in that and get the benefit of this historic moment moving forward?” House said.
“I think this is a proud moment for our village, a proud opportunity and we want to make sure that we’re doing it justice, we’re honoring those that are members of this Faith,” House said, adding that he is not dismissing people’s concerns.
Noting that “this is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” House added, “we can either seize this moment and move it forward, or we can let that moment go to an investor.”
House emphasized that he wants the community to receive the benefits of the connection, and later emphasized that “you cannot cut your way out of a deficit.”
“We have to make sure,” House said, “that we have economic opportunities that will also add to our revenue while we are working towards being streamlined and efficient.”
The Dolton Village Board unanimously voted July 1 to purchase the home.