Rand Paul stumps in suburban Chicago Saturday

WASHINGTON — GOP White House hopeful Sen. Rand Paul R-Ky., hits the Chicago suburb of Niles on Saturday. His campaign manager, Chip Englander, knows the Illinois political turf — he managed Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2014 run.

Paul’s campaign event — free and open to the public will be 3 p.m Chicago time at the Royal Kitchen and Bathroom Warehouse, 7530 N. Caldwell Ave., in north suburban Niles. Paul will also be signing copies of his book, “Taking a Stand.”

Paul’s only event in Illinois on Saturday is the Niles stop; earlier in the day he will be in Iowa.

I asked Paul spokesman Sergio Gor about the Paul Illinois operation and why he hired Englander.

”We have a robust network of activities and supporters in Illinois, individuals who want a smaller federal government that just leaves them alone. Having Chip Englander as our campaign manager is a tremendous asset in Illinois after his decisive victory in the last gubernatorial election,” Gor said in an e-mail. Paul “thought Chip would be a perfect fit after seeing him run a heavily grassroots focused campaign, and elect a Republican in a blue state,” Gor said.