President Obama To Visit Northwestern For Speech On The Economy
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Northwestern University was preparing for a visit Thursday afternoon by President Barack Obama, who will be the first sitting president to visit the Evanston campus in 60 years.
You won't find a Northwestern student who does not know about the visit. Students speaking with WBBM said the University has been barraging students for a week with e-mails regarding his speech on the economy, who is allowed at Cahn Auditorium for the president's address, other places where students can watch a live video feed, and what is blocked off on and near campus for security reasons.
A disappointed Kandace Webb said she will be watching the feed.
"I know we get live viewings of him, but I think we ought to be able to see him in person, too," the freshman said.
Webb said she wants Obama to address the number and types of jobs he expects the economy to create over the next four years.
He could well do that. A White House spokesman said the theme of Obama's speech would be the economic recovery, and that job creation would be a part of it.
Meantime, Evanston city officials have announced a number of parking restrictions and road closures on Thursday related to the president's visit.
Evanston officials have announced parking restrictions and road closures on Thursday related to President Barack Obama's visit.
The following roads will be closed from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.:
• Sheridan Road from Dartmouth to Hinman Avenue;
• Chicago Avenue from Clark Street to Sheridan Road;
• Foster Street from Sherman Avenue to Sheridan Road;
• Emerson Street from Sherman Avenue to Sheridan Road;
• and Orrington Avenue from Foster Street to Emerson Street.
The city also will restrict parking from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday on:
• Orrington Avenue from Foster to Emerson;
• Foster Street from Orrington to Sheridan;
• and Emerson Street from Sherman to Orrington.
There will be no public access to Cahn Auditorium during the speech, which is expected to be delivered at 1:15 p.m. Thursday.
The Northwestern speech is the only public event on the President's schedule during the 20-hour stop, but Obama also will stump for Gov. Pat Quinn at a fundraiser in Chicago, the first of three high-profile appearances by prominent Democrats on Quinn's behalf over the next week. First Lady Michelle Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will campaign for Quinn next week.
The president's trip back home is expected to provide a big fundraising boost for Quinn. CBS 2's Derrick Blakley reports Obama will be with Governor Quinn, headlining a Near North Side brunch for high-rollers that's expected to raise significant funds for the Quinn campaign.
Despite the president's dip in national job approval, his hometown popularity remains one of the Quinn campaign's best tools to raise funds and spur voter turnout.
"I'll be proud to stand with him tomorrow and every day after," Quinn said.
The Quinn fundraiser will be hosted by the daughter of wealthy real estate investor Neil Blum.