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Read the press release here.

President Obama's Helicopter Landing in Uptown This Week?

 Montrose Harbor could become President  Barack Obama 's landing pad Thursday when he visits Chicago to attend  fundraisers for U.S. Senate Democrats.
President Obama Visit
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UPTOWN — Montrose Harbor could become President Barack Obama's landing pad Thursday when he visits Chicago to attend fundraisers for U.S. Senate Democrats.

Harbor security said Tuesday they had been contacted by Secret Service agents who said they would be landing multiple helicopters in the boaters' parking lot Thursday, including one aircraft holding the president.

"They've been all around the place today putting cameras everywhere," said one security guard watching the harbor Tuesday.

Cones blocked the entrance to the lot, which was void of cars.

The harbor's boating community has been abuzz about the president's supposed visit, particularly because the parking lot on the harbor has been closed for the week. One boat owner who declined to be named complained about the lot being closed all week.

Ospreys at Montrose Harbor
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Youtube/phweinberg

The Secret Service hasn't confirmed that Obama's chopper will land in Uptown. Neither has the police. But the office of Ald. James Cappleman (46th) has been notified about the commander in chief's use of the harbor.

"Ald. Cappleman has spoken to the police about this," Cappleman's chief of staff Tressa Feher wrote in an email earlier this week.

On Monday, people in the area said they spotted helicopters and several Boeing V-22 Ospreys, "tiltrotor" aircrafts designed for rescue operations and troop insertions. An email circulating among boaters that included video of the aircraft said they were performing a "practice run" for Thursday that included landing and take-off drills.

Harbor security Tuesday said entrances to Montrose Beach would be blocked off Thursday, and people would be restricted from other parts of the lakefront, including 45-foot-high Cricket Hill, which overlooks the harbor.

Watch helicopters perform drills at Montrose Harbor in preparation for the president's Thursday visit:

 

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