Chicago's a regular political hub this week thanks to two presidential visits and a pundit performance.
Ahead of President Barack Obama's 2012 campaign launch on Thursday, former President Bush heads to Elgin on Wednesday for the World Leaders Forum at Judson University. For good measure, Glenn Beck appears at The Chicago Theatre Thursday evening.
Bush joins former House Speaker Dennis Hastert to participate in the inaugural conference, where the former president appears at a reception at 4 p.m. and delivers the forum's keynote at 6:15 p.m.
Tickets to the one-day event were $275 for general admission and $2,000 for the VIP treatment, including entry to the reception and a possible photo op with Bush. Registration for the event is closed on the school's website.
Obama returns to Chicago Thursday for three fundraising events, at MK Chicago, N9ne and Navy Pier. Bulls star Derrick Rose is scheduled to appear at Navy Pier, the least pricey of the three shindigs at $100 or $250. Tickets for the 7 p.m. party at the Pier's Grand Ballroom still can be ordered at my.barackobama.com/April14Chicago.
The president stays overnight at his Hyde Park home Thursday evening and flies out of O'Hare Airport Friday morning.
Obama and Michelle Obama return to Chicago on April 27, the White House confirmed Tuesday, to tape something for "The Oprah Winfrey Show." It's unclear exactly what the segment will entail.
Don't want to commit to either presidential figure? Tickets are still available to see Glenn Beck, holding down The Chicago Theatre at 8 p.m. Thursday for "Glenn Beck Live."
