color:#222222;background:white">Romney was last in Chicago about seven weeks ago, and a month before that. Both times he was here just to raise money. Total, he got more than 5-million dollars, and he’ll pick up more cash on this trip at two fundraisers downtown. But first Romney will stop at Acme Industries in Elk Grove Village for a speech on unemployment, with free tickets provided to supporters.

“It just worked out that we were able to add on a public event that is not a fundraiser.”

State Treasurer Dan Rutherford runs Romney’s Illinois campaign.

“I think it’s heartening for the entire organization, but it’s also important to - you know - highlight this in Barack Obama’s home state where we are at a very high unemployment rate.”

At last count, Illinois’ unemployment was about a half-point higher than the national average. Romney’s visit to the state comes a few days before President Obama is slated to return home for a series of fundraising events.