The Obama Presidential Center has attracted criticism after job postings for about 150 roles referenced the foundation’s commitment to "anti‑racism," prompting objections from the Illinois Republican Party that a privately run project on public land is promoting an ideological agenda. The center occupies 19.3 acres of Jackson Park under a 99‑year, $10 agreement and is not administered by NARA. Costs have ballooned from $330 million to at least $850 million, a $40 million discrimination lawsuit is pending, and the foundation’s $470 million endowment shows only $1 million deposited so far. The Obama Foundation says its values-driven hiring reflects a civic mission to address systemic racism while supporters emphasize the center’s cultural and educational role.
Obama Presidential Center Draws Criticism Over 'Anti‑Racism' Hiring Goals, Use Of Public Land And Rising Costs
The Obama Presidential Center has become the focus of renewed controversy after the Obama Foundation advertised roughly 150 positions that reference the organization's stated commitment to "anti-racism." Critics — led by the Illinois Republican Party — say the hiring language and the center's location on public land raise concerns that a privately run project is advancing a political or ideological agenda.
Background
The Obama Foundation gained control of a 19.3‑acre portion of Jackson Park under a 99‑year agreement for $10 after city approval, with the project justified as a civic institution serving the public interest. Unlike traditional presidential libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Obama Presidential Center will be run entirely by the Obama Foundation and will include a 225‑foot museum, conference facilities, a gymnasium, a regulation‑sized basketball court and a digital library that will not house original presidential records in the same manner as NARA facilities.
Hiring Language And Reaction
Job postings for the center say the foundation is "deeply committed to creating an actively anti‑racist organization," asking that staff align with those values. Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi called the language "divisive," arguing that publicly supported land and infrastructure should not be used to promote a partisan or ideological agenda. "Such employment practices sound discriminatory and unmoored from any assessment of merit," Salvi told Fox News Digital.
"Our values remain the same as the day we began; we will continue to actively work to combat racism as we strive to build a more perfect union," said Emily Bittner, vice president of communications for the Obama Foundation, in response to criticism.
Legal And Financial Issues
Opponents previously challenged the land transfer under the public trust doctrine, filing lawsuits that sought to halt construction. Courts allowed the project to proceed without ruling on the public‑trust claims’ merits. Construction costs have risen from an initial estimate of about $330 million to at least $850 million, and the development has relied on publicly funded infrastructure work around the site.
The foundation pledged a $470 million endowment to help fund long‑term operations, but recent tax filings show only $1 million has been deposited so far. In a separate dispute, a Black‑owned subcontractor filed a $40 million discrimination lawsuit alleging racially discriminatory treatment by an engineering firm connected with the project; the engineering firm has disputed those claims and said diversity‑driven contracting decisions contributed to problems.
Supporters' Perspective
Supporters say the Obama Presidential Center will be a cultural and educational anchor on Chicago’s South Side, reflecting the former president’s values and supporting leadership and civic programs. The foundation states it intends to embed anti‑racism and equity into hiring and organizational practices as part of its mission to address systemic inequities.
What’s Next
The debate is likely to continue as the center moves forward toward completion. Critics are urging further scrutiny of public land use, hiring practices and financial commitments, while the foundation defends its stated values and the project's civic benefits.
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