Biden visiting Illinois to meet with UAW leader, Pritzker ahead of campaign reception in Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS) — President Joe Biden is traveling to Illinois to meet with auto workers and then attend a fundraiser in Chicago. 

He’ll be in Belvidere near Rockford on Thursday to speak with the United Auto Workers union leader and Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

CBS 2’s Mugo Odigwe reported that it’ll be his first stop before heading to Chicago for a campaign reception.

The president’s visit will focus on the re-opening of an assembly plant that Stellantis closed back in March. That plant will bring back the 1,200 jobs that were lost.

Stellantis is also investing in battery manufacturing, adding over 1,000 more jobs.

Following his speech, Biden will hold a campaign reception in Chicago. It’s unclear whether he’ll discuss or address Chicago’s ongoing migrant crisis.

Mayor Brandon Johnson was in D.C. just last week asking for federal help. 

So far, that has only come in the form of a new federal pilot program that will speed up a process that typically takes months and help migrants apply for work authorizations. 

That program begins Thursday and means every day, 150 migrants will be able to apply for those work permits.