ROSELAND — Playing catchup in Hillary Clinton's native state, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) brought his Democratic presidential campaign to the city Thursday with an evening appearance at Chicago State University.
Insisting he was "telling the American people the truth," he said, "People are sick and tired of establishment politics, establishment economics and the same old-same old."
Addressing such familiar themes as universal health care and immigration reform, law enforcement and campaign finance, Sanders said, "I have been criticized in this campaign for thinking too big."
Yet he pointed to how women didn't have the right to vote 100 years ago, African-Americans fought for civil rights 50 years ago and gay marriage was a pipe dream 10 years ago.
"That is how change comes about," he said. "It's when people look around and say the status quo is wrong, and we are going to change it whether the people on top like it or not."
Sanders also came to the defense of Chicago State, embattled under Gov. Bruce Rauner. Comparing the situation to the government-instigated water crisis in Flint, Mich., where he spent the afternoon, Sanders added, "This great university is also being threatened with cuts. What is going on in America? Where are our priorities?"
Sanders asked, "Why is anybody in the world talking about shutting down colleges? What we should be talking about is making public colleges and universities tuition-free."
Sanders said he would pay for the ambitious programs he promotes, in part, through a tax on Wall Street speculation, pointing to how big banks and finance companies were bailed out in the 2008 recession.
"Now it is Wall Street's time to help the middle class," he said.
Sanders also pounded on economic reform themes, saying, "We are living in a rigged economy," and campaign finance reform, saying, "You do not have the right to buy elections."
The full-house crowd in the 7,000-seat Jones Convocation Center, 9501 S. King Drive, roared at every proposal and every attack on corruption during the 45-minute speech.
Sanders also attacked Clinton's support of the Iraq War and pro-business trade agreements like NAFTA.
Sanders has pledged to fight for free college tuition across the nation, thus the Chicago State venue. The university has also been caught in the state budget impasse, with Rauner vetoing attempts to provide state colleges with funding, resulting in Chicago State recently deciding to call off spring break and end the school year early.
More than 100 Chicago State students and faculty gathered in January to protest the impasse, calling for immediate action to save their school, which they called a South Side "oasis" amid divestment in local institutions.
Immediately before the rally, Sanders made a televised appearance with MSNBC pundit Chris Matthews at Sanders' alma mater, the University of Chicago.
Hour and a half before @BernieSanders event starts at @UofC, line of students stretching down the block. pic.twitter.com/BGU4MG9vCz
— Alex Nitkin (@AlexNitkin) February 25, 2016
In Hyde Park, the old Maroon was greeted by a giddy group of about 150 students at the invitation-only event at Quadrangle Club, with one woman almost literally swooning when asked about him.
"We all love him," said freshman Camelia Malkami from Atlanta. "Everyone here is very liberal, and we believe in the change he wants. Some people view it as radical, but he's been telling the truth about income inequality for years, and everything he's saying makes sense."
Matthews' questioning was sometimes light, as he asked the crowd if any libertarians were in attendance — silence — then who was for Sanders, at which point people erupted.
Yet Matthews also challenged the left-wing senator on leading the military and confronting foreign leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"I took on a lot of people as mayor of Burlington," Sanders said. "I think I can stand up to Putin and all the others."
At Chicago State, Sanders supporters stood in a long, fast-moving line to get into what was billed as "A Future to Believe In Chicago Rally."
"Chicago State University is full to the rafters ... feeling the Bern big time," said Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, in helping to introduce the candidate.
"I like his issues," said Vernita Farmer, a Sanders delegate candidate from Auburn Gresham. "I like the fact that he wants to address the economy — not taking any corporate donations.
"I think he'll be right behind Obama and will do the right thing," she added. "I am concerned that Obama is leaving."
"I just love that he's for the people and that he's really trying to do good for everyone," said Jackie Doherty, an Old Town resident. "He's not a typical politician.
"I think we're definitely at a stage where we just need to start thinking of all the people in the United States and not just the top 1 percent," said Doherty.
Bob Szyman, a Chicago State employee who ambled in and took a seat, said, "I'm still listening" when it comes to choosing a candidate.
Yet he said he was attracted by Sanders' stand for universal health care.
"I don't think anybody should not have health care," he added. "I'm considerably left of center, but not horribly left. And I just like his basic message — people first."
Sanders and Clinton are vying for the Democratic presidential nomination in a nationwide campaign. Clinton narrowly won the Iowa caucuses; Sanders followed by winning the New Hampshire primary next to his home state, Vermont; then Clinton won last weekend's Nevada caucuses.
They're said to be even in Democratic National Convention delegates earned on the campaign trail, although Clinton claims a major advantage in so-called superdelegates — largely made up of party officials and elected officeholders.
The South Carolina primary is this weekend, followed by a series of primaries on Super Tuesday next week, ahead of the Illinois primary on March 15. Here's what you need to know about voting in Chicago.
Clinton kicked off her campaign here last week with an appearance in Bronzeville.
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