President Barack Obama returns to Chicago

President Barack Obama returned to his hometown of Chicago Jan. 11 to raise re-election campaign funds.

He spoke at three events—two private and one at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). At the last fundraiser, he said, “Change is hard but it is possible. I’ve seen it. You’ve seen it. You have lived it. And If you want to end the cynicism and stop the game playing that passes for politics these days and you want to send a message about what is possible, then you can’t back down, not now. We won’t give up. Not now.”

CSI:NY actor Hill Harper—who attended Harvard Law School with Obama—hosted the event, which featured singer Janelle Monae.

One private event was held at the North Side home of media mogul Fred Eychaner; dinner was $35,800 per couple. Another reception was held at the home of Stuart Taylor in Hyde Park.

The three events were expected to raise approximately $2 million for Obama’s campaign.

Photos from the UIC event by Kat Fitzgerald (MysticImagesPhotography.com)