WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is wrapping up his post-State of the Union tour by talking about how government can build what he calls "ladders of opportunity" into the middle class.
During remarks Friday in Chicago, his hometown, Obama plans to discuss proposals to raise the federal minimum wage and pair businesses with recession-battered communities to help them rebuild and provide job training.
He'll also talk about creating jobs for young people from poor families, and encouraging fatherhood and low-income couples to marry.
His visit follows the weekend funeral of a Chicago teenager who was shot and killed days after performing during Obama's inauguration in Washington.
Michelle Obama attended 15-year-old Hadiya (hy-DEE'-uh) Pendleton's funeral last Saturday. Her parents sat with the first lady Tuesday during Obama's State of the Union address.
