Valerie Jarrett, aide to former President Barack Obama, caused a stir over a $30,000 speaking fee she was set to receive for a commencement address at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, a school that is struggling financially.
Jarrett ended up waiving the fee, even though donors offered to pay it when university leaders objected to the expenditure, Politico reported Tuesday.
“While keenly aware of the financial challenges in Illinois, we were not aware of the specific issues facing Northeastern Illinois University or that a donor would be paying for the speaking fee,” Amy Brundage, a Jarrett spokeswoman, told Politico.
“Jarrett notified [University] President [Richard] Helldobler this morning that she will not be accepting a speaking fee for the commencement address,” she added. “Jarrett looks forward to addressing the graduates and other members of the NEIU community next month.”
Because of state budget battles, the university has had to curb operations and put staff on unpaid furlough.
