As the Powerball jackpot rose to $1.5 billion, Northeastern Illinois University President Sharon Hahs purchased a Powerball ticket on Wednesday, Jan. 13, and pledged all potential winnings to the University from the evening’s drawing.
“We are now in the seventh month without an appropriation from the state,” Hahs said. “This is desperately needed money that should be used to educate and prepare our students for their careers as productive members of the Illinois economy.”
With her own money, Hahs purchased the $2 ticket. The numbers on her ticket are 3, 4, 8, 9, 10 and the Powerball number is 4.
“Illinois public higher education is an economic engine, and requiring us to operate without state funding is unsustainable,” Hahs said. “Desperate times call for desperate measures. May luck be with Northeastern Illinois University.”
