Judge stops NIU from paying rest of ousted president's severance package

A DeKalb County judge Friday barred Northern Illinois University from paying the remainder of ousted President Doug Baker's severance package while the court considers whether school trustees violated the law when they approved the deal.

But Baker — who left in June after the release of a state report alleging improper spending during his tenure — already has received most of his money, including a $450,000 payment to end his contract a year early and another $137,500 to resign from his tenured position at the business school.

NIU will not have to claw the money back under the ruling by Circuit Judge Bradley Waller, university officials said. Instead, while the case is still pending, the school will withhold any remaining reimbursements for legal expenses Baker incurred during his 4-year tenure.

Trustees had agreed to pay him up to $30,000 for "reasonable, unpaid expenses for legal counsel."

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-northern-illinois-university-lawsuit-0805-20170804-story.html