The Hill News

President Obama is scheduled to keynote his campaign's "fundraising kickoff" event in Chicago this week alongside Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose.

On Thursday evening Obama will appear alongside Rose at the Grand Ballroom of Chicago's Navy Pier, according to a statement from the Democratic National Committee. The fundraising event is one of three Obama will attend while in Chicago on Thursday. The other two are private events at two upscale restaurants, mk and N9ne Steakhouse respectively.

The announcement of Obama's fundraising swing in Chicago comes the same day that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) announced the formation of his presidential exploratory committee.

Media outlets have reported that Obama's reelection campaign aims to top his fundraising numbers in his first presidential campaign by raising $1 billion, a record breaking number for a presidential campaign.