Hillary speaking in Springfield, where Obama kicked off campaign

WASHINGTON — Presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton is speaking Wednesday in Springfield at the same historic site where President Barack Obama kicked off his campaign and then returned to announce Joe Biden as his running mate.

Clinton will deliver a speech at the Old State Capitol in Springfield before heading to the Chicago suburb of Wilmette for a fundraiser.

Abraham Lincoln’s home is a stroll away from the old Capitol, where he delivered his famous “House divided” speech in 1858. Clinton comes to Springfield a day after being endorsed by rival Bernie Sanders as the Democrats unify before the Democratic convention in Philadelphia.

The event is inside the building and is not open to the public. Clinton was last in Springfield on the day before the March 15 Illinois primary, for a town hall at the old historic capitol.

On a freezing day — Feb. 10, 2007 — then-Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., flanked by his wife and two daughters, launched his White House bid on the steps of the Old State House in the city where he started his political career as a state senator from the South Side of Chicago.

On Aug. 23, 2008, Obama returned to the same place for another rally, to officially tap Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., as his vice presidential running mate.

Obama made a nostalgic visit back to Springfield on Feb. 10 to address the Illinois General Assembly. Obama also was in Springfield on Feb. 12, 2009, for an event marking Lincoln’s 200th anniversary.