Michelle Obama hits Chicago, Robin Kelly jets to Washington, gun deal, Obama's $3.77 trillion budget

Good morning. Grab your rain gear, stormy weather ahead. [Sun-Times]

Exclusive

Hours after her election to the House, Robin Kelly is jetting to Washington Wednesday catching the 8 a.m. American Airlines flight. Kelly day ahead: O’Hare Airport interview, in D.C. meetings to get her operation set-up. Swearing-in Thursday afternoon, followed by a reception in her office. Kelly easily won the special election to replace disgraced former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. [Sun-Times]

Breaking

Two semi-trucks collided on Interstate 80 early Wednesday, killing one of the drivers and closing the expressway to westbound traffic in Joliet, Illinois state police said. [Sun-Times]

Breaking

First Lady Michelle Obama heads to the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan for 11:30 a.m. lunch with Mayor Rahm Emanuel to bolster his fund-raising drive to bankroll projects for at-risk youths. Mrs. Obama motorcades over to Harper High, 6520 S. Wood for 2 p.m. event.

Senate gun deal

Two key senators forged a bi-partisan compromise deal on gun background checks with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) announcing the details at 11 a.m. ET at a press conference in Washington. This comes as the entire Senate is poised to debate major gun legislation as early as Thursday, with a filibuster threat from GOP senators overcome on Tuesday. [Sun-Times] [Washington Post]

Prognosis: Major hurdles ahead as Senate debates gun measures next week.

Michelle Obama back home

When Mrs. Obama speaks this morning–to a group of some 700 business, civic and community leaders gathered by Emanuel, we’ll be listening to see if the ever cautious First Lady speaks out about gun-control. [Lynn Sweet column] [The Hill] [Marin Report]

And Mrs. Obama is not sure about her bangs. [People]

Remembering slain diplomat

Touching service at Fenwick High School in Oak Park for alum Anne Smedinghoff, who died “in the smoking chaos of a car bomb attack in southern Afghanistan.” [Sun-Times]

New life for old post office

A stunning high-rise multi-use is proposed to replace the old main Chicago Post Office with the distinctive feature of having part of the building built over the Congress Parkway. [Sun-Times Grid]

Obama $3.77 trillion budget unveiled

President Obama delivers a statement about his proposed budget from the Rose Garden at 10 a.m. [Washington Post]

Early GOP react from Brendan Buck, spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner, out Wednesday morning.”Reminder That You Can’t Trust the Numbers That the White House Uses in Previews of Their Budget.” Obama dines with GOP senators at 6:30 p.m. ET in the Old Family Dining Room. On the menu: dishing up good will.

4 takeaways from senior White House officials budget briefing:

• *Budget contains last offer Obama earlier put on the table so the GOP should be open to it.
• *False choice, having to choose between deficit reduction and job creation.
• *Let’s get the era of government by crisis behind us.
• *If the GOP refuses to put revenues in the deal, there is no deal.

Political business

Emanuel’s Deputy Communications Director Kathleen Strand and AllState’s Corporate Communications Strategy Manager Bobby Kellman – both Hillary Clinton campaign alums – have set their wedding date. October 5 at the South Shore Cultural Center. Same place Rahm and Amy/Barack and Michelle wed.

…Obama tapped for United State Holocaust Memorial Council: Rabbi Sam Gordon from Congregation Sukkat Shalom in Wilmette and Maureen Schulman, Eli’s Cheesecake public relations chief.

…Harold Washington’s gang is getting together today, heading to the City Council chamber when aldermen take up a resolution proclaiming April 15 “Harold Washington Day.” As the late mayor would say, “You want Harold, you got him.”

Daybook

Play it again. Chicago Symphony Orchestra press conference to announce projects for the 2013-14 season. …Nobel Peace Prize winner Jody Williams at the University of Illinois, Chicago to keynote 4th annual World Health Day symposium. …UIC also hosting “Top Chef” quarter finalist Beverly Kim, to talk about her experience on the TV show. ..Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics. …Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) guested on MSNBC’s “Daily Rundown,” hosted by Chuck Todd.

Sports Today

Cubs host Milwaukee, White Sox away game with the Washington Nationals. Keep an eye out for the political fund-raisers….