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Days after City Hall signed legal papers to clear the way to build the Obama Presidential Center in historic Jackson Park for what was seen as a $700 million project of which $500 million was for hard costs the Obama Foundation on Tuesday revealed the price is likely more.

Financial information about the Obama Foundation was disclosed on Tuesday in its annual report and Internal Revenue Service Form 990 covering the year 2020. The foundation also released a list of new donors. The IRS 990 is required to be filed annually by tax-exempt organizations.

The Obama Foundation added two mega donors, with gifts over $1 million, from Bulls legend Michael Jordan and the Open Society Foundations, founded by George Soros.

Among the revelations:

The annual report contained new cost estimates to build the Obama complex and operate it for the first year. Construction started Monday on the center. As part of the deal for getting 19.3 acres in a landmarked park, the foundation had to provide a construction budget to City Hall and guarantee that it had the money, either in cash or pledges.

The Obama Center price has soared through the years.

In September, 2018, the foundation estimated the project at $350 million.

By 2019 and through the first part of 2020, foundation officials were calling it a $500 million project. Last June, Obama Foundation president Valerie Jarrett put a price tag of about $700 million on the center.

Behind the scenes, foundation and City Hall officials were explaining the extra $200 million was for so-called soft costs, such as interiors and displays, a distinction never previously made.

On Friday night, City Hall, convinced it had accurate estimates, allowed the project to go forward with the foundation putting up $485 million in cash and pledges and a $1 million endowment.

On Tuesday, the annual report stated:

The new 990 report shows that since the foundation was created in 2014, when former President Barack Obama was still in office, the foundation has raised $719.8 million.

The foundation, headquartered in Hyde Park with staff in New York, Washington and California, runs programs around the globe, in Chicago and the rest of the U.S.

In 2020, the foundation gained $171 million in gifts, up from $139.6 million in 2019, according to the 990.

Total 2020 expenses were $40.5 million, down from $54.7 million in 2019.

The foundation reported net assets of $560.6 million in 2020, compared to $429.5 million in 2019.

Going forward, according to the annual report, the goal is to raise $1.6 billion over the next five years to build and open the Obama Presidential Center, sustain our programming and operations and plan for the future.

The annual report shows that of the $171 million raised, the Obama Foundation is increasingly dependent on big gifts from corporations and other foundations. They accounted for 58.23% or about $100 million of 2020 fundraising, compared to 34.36% of 2019 fundraising and 15.5% in 2018.

The two highest paid Obama Foundation staff members took voluntary pay cuts in 2020, in order to account for potential financial impacts of COVID 19 on the Foundation, a spokesperson said.

Here are the totals for the top staffers working all of 2020, according to the 990:

David Simas, chief executive officer: $608,066 in 2020, compared to $657,965 in 2019; $641,846 in 2018 and $614,636 in 2017.

Robbin Cohen, executive director: $551,913 in 2020 compared to $589,971 in 2019; $589,971 in 2018 and $562,055 in 2017.

Glenn Brown, chief digital officer: $491,001 in 2020 compared to $454,287 in 2019; $445,807 in 2018 and $378,519 in 2017.

Ralph Leslie, chief financial officer, $378,261 in 2020 compared to $357,465 in 2019.

Michael Strautmanis, chief engagement officer, $331,851 in 2020 compared to $313,493 in 2019.

The Obama Foundation gives grants to other foundations in Chicago and across the U.S.

In Chicago, the biggest contributions were $100,000 to the Youth Guidance social services organization in the Loop; $67,000 to the New Life Centers for Chicagoland on the West Side; $50,000 to the Lawndale Christian Legal Center; $50,000 to Build, Inc., also on the West Side and $36,000 to the South Shore Drill Team.

Gifts, grants and contributions totals since the foundation was created in 2014:

2020: $171,102,620

2019: $139,037,209

2018: $163,949,264

2017: $231,993,748

2016: $13,175,732

2015: $1,916,247

2014: $5,434,877

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Obama Center cost: Obama Foundation reveals $830 million needed to build, operate Center in first year - Chicago Sun-Times

Igor Vovkovinskiy, the tallest man in the United States, has died in Minnesota aged 38.

His family said the Ukrainian-born Vovkovinskiy died of heart disease on Friday.

His mother, Svetlana Vovkovinska,posted about his death on Facebook.

Mr Vovkovinskiy travelled to the US in 1989 as a child seeking treatment.

A tumour pressing against his pituitary gland caused it to secrete abnormal levels of growth hormone.

He grew to become the tallest man in the USat 2.34 metres,and ended up staying in Rochester, Minnesota.

His older brother, Oleh Ladan, said Mr Vovkovinskiy was a celebrity when he arrived from Ukraine because of his size.

But Mr Ladan said his brother "would have rather lived a normal life than be known."

Mr Vovkovinskiy appeared on The DrOz Showand was called out by former president Barack Obama during a campaign rally in 2009, when the president noticed him near the stage wearing a T-shirt that read, "World's Biggest Obama Supporter".

AP Photo: Haraz N. Ghanbari

In 2013, he carried the Ukrainian contestant onto the stage to perform in the Eurovision Song Contest.

When he was 27, Mr Vovkovinskiy travelled to New York City and was declared America's tallest living person by a Guinness World Records adjudicator on Oz's show.

He edged out a sheriff's deputy in Virginia by one-third of an inch.

He issued a plea in 2012 to cover the estimated $16,000 cost for specially made shoes that wouldn't cause him crippling pain.

At the time, he said he hadn't owned a pair for years that fit his size 26, 10E feet.

Thousands donated more than double what he needed. Reebok provided the custom shoes for free.

AP

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Igor Vovkovinskiy, tallest man in the US and 'world's biggest Obama supporter', dies aged 38 - ABC News

Former first lady Michelle Obama launched her When We All Vote organization in 2018 to encourage more Americans to register to vote and to be civically engaged.

Michelle Obama is taking her crusade to protect voting rights to women, as she encourages Americans to register to vote and calls for action against new election regulations across the country.

"I encourage every woman within earshot of my voice to think of ways that they can be involved," the former first lady said during an appearance Friday at The 19th's Virtual Summit. The 19th is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that focuses on reporting on gender, politics and policy.

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Obama said that at a time when people are trying to take away "the very power that we have to use our voice ... making it harder for us to vote, and doing the most undemocratic things you can imagine," women must "step up and make sure that our communities are protected."

Obama's appearance at the conference comes as Republican state lawmakers in 49 states across the US have introduced legislation this year to tighten access to voting by making mail voting and early voting more difficult and imposing harsher voter ID requirements.

Democrats and voting rights activists have repeatedly criticized thenew laws, which have popped up in the wake of former President Donald Trump's unfounded allegations that the 2020 presidential election was "stolen." In March, the Democrat-led House passed the For the People Act of 2021, which would reverse the voting rights restrictions pushed by Republican-controlled state legislatures this year. The bill was blocked by Senate Republicans in June.

A popular figure, Obama is seen as a key messenger for Democrats on a variety of issues, including efforts to help encourage Americans to get vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus. She was a featured speaker during the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

Her appearance at the virtual conference comes just weeks after she and Stacey Abrams, the voting rights activist and former Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate, teamed up to release a video urging the public to help "protect our freedom to vote" by supporting updates to federal rights legislation.

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Michelle Obama calls on women to show their power through voting - CNET

Millions of supporters recently celebrated the former president's 60th birthday on Aug. 4. Seeing Obama over the years has been inspiring for me.

I was fortunate to see him in person when he was on the campaign trail during his first presidential campaign. The energy in that football stadium was amazing as I looked upon thousands of people who were elated to see the potential first family. Michelle Obama walked out to rev up the crowd, and she did an amazing job. The passion in the words she spoke showed how on board she was with the campaign.

I could tell she really wanted us to vote for her husband. She gave off the air of someone who was already the next first lady. As the tutor to a younger Barack Obama, her intelligence was on display. She showed how she was able to educate one of the smartest candidates to run for president. I was highly impressed with her. Once she finished her remarks, those in the crowd became more animated as they prepared to witness the man of the hour.

There were a few other dignitaries who spoke before Obama, but we knew his time was coming. Once the curtains pulled back and he stepped out, the crowd became unglued. This guy was a real rock star candidate. The stadium was so loud that I could barely hear myself talk to my fraternity brother next to me. I felt the love from the crowd go through my veins.

Obama stepped up to the microphone and just stood there for a moment. I am sure he was taken aback by the sheer volume of people in the stadium. He uttered the words, "Hello, Springfield Missouri!" The crowd went crazy. I am from Tulsa and I still went crazy. As he began his speech, I could not believe I was really watching him in person. He seemed so energetic to have been on the long campaign trail for months.

This may sound weird, but I can honestly say when he smiled, I smiled. His voice was so powerful, and he was upbeat about America. He laid out the challenges we faced, but had hope for the future. He never spoke of despair but only hope and possibilities. I was truly inspired by the moment.

When I looked around, a majority of the faces around me were crying, smiling, or just in awe of this moment. This memory will stay with me forever. I think about him as a role model. Some may not like him, but you cannot doubt he is an amazing father and a loving husband - which is what I want to be, always.

Corey Carolina is an NSU graduate, North Tulsa entrepreneur and activist, and owner of Carolina Food Co. He is also an author; his first book is "The Absent Father."

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COLUMN: The Barack Obama effect | Don't Miss This | washtimesherald.com - Washington Times Herald

MADISON -A challenge to Wisconsin's congressional and legislative districts will be heard by an appeals judge nominated by President Donald Trump and two trial judges nominated by President Barack Obama.

The panel will decide whether to set a timeline for Republicans who control the Legislature and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to draw new districts based on population data released last week by the U.S. Census Bureau. Where the lines go can determine which political party has an upper hand in elections.

Few expect lawmakers and Evers to agree on maps, which would leave it to the courts to decide on them.

The case will be heard by Amy St. Eve, a judge on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago; Edmond Chang, a district judge in Chicago; and James Peterson, a district judge in Madison.

St. Eve was nominated to the appeals court by Trump. Chang and Peterson were nominated to the bench by Obama.

MORE: New census data offer first clues about how Wisconsin's congressional districts will change

The panel was assembled by Diane Sykes, the 7th Circuit's chief judge. Sykes was nominated to the appeals court by President George W. Bush and previously served on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

The lawsuit was filed by Democratic voters who want a deadline for lawmakers and Evers. Such a deadline would ensure the judges have time to draw maps in the event of a political stalemate, they argue.

The Democrats brought their suit against the state's bipartisan Elections Commission. Republican lawmakers this week filed a motion to intervene in the case.

Other lawsuits over the maps, including ones in state court, are possible. If that happens, the courts will have to work out which venue is the right one for challenges to the redistricting process.

ContactPatrick Marley at patrick.marley@jrn.com. Followhim on Twitter at @patrickdmarley.

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Wisconsin redistricting case will be heard by panel that includes two judges nominated by Obama, one by Trump - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel