WASHINGTON – GOP White House hopeful Scott Walker, the Wisconsin governor, swings through Illinois on Monday, hitting Chicago for a fundraiser at the Union League Club and a stop at the Billy Goat Tavern on lower Michigan Ave.
Walker’s fundraiser for his 2016 presidential campaign is hosted by Mike Morgan, the Illinois Republican who was the 2010 campaign chairman for Sen. Mark Kirk R-Ill.
Chicago Cubs chairman Todd Ricketts is the Walker national finance co-chairman.
Kirk, who is facing his own re-election contest in 2016, is not at this early stage picking a favorite in the crowded Republican primary field.
Walker is also doing fundraisers in Bloomington and Godfrey. He will be doing other events where, his campaign said, he will “meet with voters, activists, and local leaders as he continues to share his message as a fighter and a winner with a proven record of reform in Wisconsin.”In Bloomington, Walker will do a “meet and greet” with state Sen. Darin LaHood, who is all but certain to be elected to replace former Rep. Aaron Schock R-Ill., who resigned in the wake of questions about his spending of government and campaign money.LaHood, the son of former Rep. Ray LaHood, the former Transportation Secretary, won the GOP nomination earlier in July in the heavily Republican district. The special general election is Sept. 10.The Walker/LaHood event will be at Chuck’s Harley-Davidson in Bloomington, with the motorcycle maker headquartered in Milwaukee.Walker will be at the Billy Goat Tavern, 430 N. Michigan Ave., at 4:45 p.m. Chicago time.