UIC chancellor gets nearly $100,000 bonus on way out the door

Controversial out-going UIC Chancellor Paula Allen-Meares is getting a hefty bonus as she transitions to a faculty position.

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees voted Thursday to grant Allen-Meares a $98,440 bonus within 30 days to reward her for meeting goals spelled out in her employment agreement.

UIC President Robert Easter, who is retiring, proposed the incentive pay. Allen-Meares’ current salary totals $437,244.

Trustees also approved granting Allen-Meares the title of “chancellor emerita” of UIC, citing her work on behalf of the university’s bid for the Obama Presidential Library and her encouragement of greater diversity on campus, including more international students and partnerships with other schools worldwide.

However, in August, the UIC faculty senate had a vote of no confidence in Allen-Meares’ leadership, criticizing her for changing several administrative leaders, including the provost, without telling them, faculty members said. She also caught media attention for living in a university-paid house that UIC spent $1 million to upgrade and maintain. Also during her tenure, the UIC faculty voted to form a union and went on strike for two days to press their grievances.

Allen-Meares was appointed in 2009 and given a five-year contract. Board members extended her contract in 2013 for an additional year and approved her eligibility for bonus pay.

According to her original contract, Allen-Meares will start her new duties as a faculty member at a yearly salary of $380,000. She will not be required to teach courses in her first year but will be required to teach four courses annually after that. UIC spokeman Tom Hardy said it is still undecided what she will teach.