Obama, Exelon, Utilities and the NRC: "The Beat Goes On"!!!

So why didn't all his voters throw in a few bucks each to build his political mausoleum? These utilities and their executives hold so much sway over our elections. Both Democrats and Republicans. Effectively the utilities are so powerful, they have veto power over the politicians and who becomes a politician. The politicians couldn't govern without the utilities, as they know our political system so well. They usually become the top aids of the politicians.

I don't hold these people as much accountable, as the public in general. You all just can't govern your selves anymore in so many ways. You keep scapegoating the politicians, you keep voting for over and over again the same style politician, or just didn't vote. All we do is vote form the least worst politician.

We are all so damaged by our political system!!!!

Obama Center Adds Exelon to top Donor List

Manya Brachear PashmanContact ReporterChicago Tribune

Technology and energy corporations have joined the list of top donors to the Obama Foundation, which on Friday made public the names of more than 700 patrons from the last three months.

Exelon and Microsoft have given more than a million dollars to the foundation, which was founded in 2014 but boosted its fundraising efforts after President Barack Obama left the White House

The list of new donors also includes at least one anonymous contributor who directed more than a million dollars through a donor-advised fund managed by The New York Community Trust and another who gave a half-million dollars through the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

Chicago's billionaire Crown family gave between $250,001 and $500,000. Meanwhile, the family foundation of investor Andrew Hauptman, owner of the Chicago Fire, has brought its cumulative contribution closer to the million dollars it has pledged.

In addition to Hoffman and wife Michelle Yee, two other philanthropists who previously donated have now given more than $1 million: billionaire David Shaw and wife Beth, who advised Obama on financial capability; and through their family foundation, Debbie and Glenn Hutchins, who co-founded a private equity firm specializing in technology and technology-enabled companies such as Skype.

Every three months, the foundation posts the names of those who have contributed more than $200 and their gifts, listed in a range of dollars. The quarterly postings lack the specificity of Federal Election Commission filings, which give the exact contribution to candidates for federal office. FEC reports also give information about donors, including their address, employer and occupation.

The Obama Presidential Center is slated to open in Chicago's Jackson Park in 2021. While the foundation declines to provide a cost estimate, the George W. Bush library and endowment broke records at more than $500 million.

mbrachear@chicagotribune.com