President Barack Obama visits Chicago weeks before the election

Election 2016, Fall 2016

President Barack Obama visits Chicago weeks before the election

October 10, 2016

By Christen Gall

President Barack Obama visited Chicago over the Oct. 7-9 weekend in what could be his last visit before the general election on Nov. 8. After being greeted by Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel, Obama voted downtown, attended campaign events for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Illinois senate candidate Tammy Duckworth and spoke at the Stony Island Arts Bank near his home in Hyde Park.

The Obamas have decided to stay in Washington, D.C. after the end of the president’s second term. The president and first lady met in Chicago, and Obama started his political career from the city’s South Side. Obama’s mark will be left in Chicago in a visible way through the city’s first presidential library in Jackson Park, near the University of Chicago.

Secret Service waits at O'Hare — The U.S. Secret Service waits at O’Hare International Airport for the arrival of President Obama on Oct. 7, 2016. (Christen Gall/ MEDILL)

Mayor Emanuel greets crowd — Mayor Rahm Emanuel greets the crowd waiting for President Obama to arrive on Oct. 7. (Christen Gall/ MEDILL)

Air Force One lands at O'Hare — Air Force One arrives in Chicago, the president’s hometown, at noon on Oct. 7, 2016. (Christen Gall/ MEDILL)

President Obama prepares to exit plane — President Obama spend the weekend of Oct. 7-9 in Chicago speaking at events for Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Illinois Senate candidate Tammy Duckworth. (Christen Gall/ MEDILL).

President Obama exits plane — President Obama exits Air Force One as Mayor Rahm Emanuel waits below on October 7, 2016. (Christen Gall/ MEDILL)

Obama and Emanuel walk off runway — During his early October visit, the president and Emanuel walk off the runway toward spectators and reporters. Emanuel was the former White House chief of staff for Obama’s administration from 2009-2010. (Christen Gall/ MEDILL)

Media photographs Obama at O'Hare — Various Chicago media organizations covered the president’s arrival to O’Hare on Oct. 7, 2016. (Christen Gall/ MEDILL)

Crowd surrounds Obama — Obama spoke to a crowd off the runway following his arrival in Chicago the weekend of Oct. 7-9, 2016. (Christen Gall/ MEDILL)

Media and crowd photograph Obama — The crowd and reporters surround Obama for a look up close on Oct. 7, 2016 before he heads to the Air Force One helicopter. (Christen Gall/ MEDILL).

Air Force One leaves O'Hare — An Air Force One helicopter departs with Obama and Emanuel to head into the city. He will attend a Democratic fundraising event and cast an early ballot on Friday, Oct. 7. (Christen Gall/ MEDILL)

President Obama arrives in Chicago on Air Force One to campaign for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Illinois senate candidate Tammy Duckworth on Oct. 7, 2016. (Christen Gall/ MEDILL)