Obama to deliver speech in Chicago on Wednesday

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Former President Barack Obama makes his first post-presidential public appearance and chats with younger activists about community organizing and civic engagement at the University of Chicago’s Logan Center for the Arts on Monday, April 24, 2017. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama will return to Chicago, the Sun-Times has learned, to deliver a speech Wednesday night to the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, where he will reflect on his two terms and his Obama Presidential Center.

This comes days after Obama’s visit last Monday to his adopted hometown.

According to an invitation obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times, Obama plans to “share his thoughts and vision for the Obama Presidential Center as well as some reflections on his administration.”

The dinner will take place at The Chicago Club, 81 E. Van Buren.

Obama’s tentative schedule is likely to include some “community” oriented event, in the vein of the discussion he had with young leaders at the University of Chicago last Monday as well as a meeting with at-risk young men in the Roseland community on Sunday.

Obama on his last trip also hosted a dinner for his Obama Presidential Foundation downtown and this visit is also likely to include some foundation business.

Obama’s University of Chicago event was his first public post-presidential event, coming as he is also stepping up his paid speeches — including one he is reportedly being paid $400,000 to deliver in September to the Wall Street investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald.

Obama will not be paid for his Wednesday speech, the Sun-Times has learned.

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