Trump speaks to Economic Club of Chicago Oct. 15, Vance headlines suburban fundraiser day before

WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump will head to downtown Chicago Oct. 15 to make an appearance co-hosted by the Economic Club of Chicago, while running mate JD Vance is slated to visit the suburbs for a fundraiser Oct. 14.

Two sources told the Sun-Times about the Vance Chicago area fundraiser, though details are still in the works.

Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, was last in Chicago in July to speak to a meeting of the National Association of Black Journalists in what turned out to be a contentious event, where, among other falsehoods, he said Vice President Kamala Harris decided to “turn Black.”

Trump returns to Illinois as the race between him and Harris remains tight. Trump recently appeared before the New York Economic Club, and on Thursday addresses the Economic Club of Detroit. Whether Trump speaks in a swing state, like Michigan, or blue states like New York and Illinois, his remarks likely will get national coverage.

The Economic Club of Chicago, which is non-partisan, is co-hosting the event with Bloomberg News. Bloomberg Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait will interview the former president at an undisclosed downtown Chicago location. Harris was also invited to speak to the club, but so far has not booked a visit.

Trump’s visit to Chicago comes as he is making a stream of false claims in his appearances and on social media, most recently focusing on what he incorrectly says is a lack of a federal government response to Hurricane Helene. The club did not say in its announcement how or if Trump will be fact-checked. During his debate with Harris Sept. 10, Trump slammed ABC News moderators for fact-checking him several times.