UIC Spends $625K On Chancellor’s Home

October 19, 2011 12:00 AM " CHICAGO (CBS) - You would think the donation of a million dollar home is a good thing, right?

But a donation to the University of Illinois at Chicago is raising questions about why the school has spent more than $600,000 to fix up the house.

Neighbors contacted CBS 2 Investigator Pam Zekman after watching construction crews restore the million dollar historic home that used to be owned by famed surgeon Dr. Olga Jonasson, a University of Illinois graduate and faculty member. Upon her death, the home was donated to the University of Illinois at Chicago.

“The fact that they’re spending this kind of money on a house that’s sitting on Jackson Boulevard, as opposed to on the future of a student, I find reprehensible,” said one concerned neighbor, who lives in the historic district.

The home serves as a residence for Paula Allen-Meares, who must live there under the terms of her $375,000-a-year contract as Chancellor for the Chicago campus. She also hosts fundraisers there, according to UIC spokesman Mark Rosati.

“There was extensive work on virtually everything to do with the house,” Rosati said, noting the house had been vacant for several years.

The costs totaled $625,000, including $175,000 to make the home ADA compliant with an elevator and other requirements. "

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