President Joe Biden speech today live: POTUS speaks at Kankakee farm, then IBEW convention in Chicago

The first stop is a family farm in Kankakee, but the president has a full day planned.

Biden, along with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, visited Kankakee to discuss the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on food supply and prices at home and abroad and ways to lower costs.

Next, he’ll speak at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers International Convention at McCormick Place before attending a fundraiser and heading back to Washington.

RELATED: President Biden Chicago visit will see POTUS speaking at IBEW International Convention

On Tuesday, with the midterms just six months away and his approval rating sagging, the president said fighting inflation is his administration’s No. 1 domestic priority, blaming the COVID pandemic and war in Ukraine.

“My plan attacks inflation and grows the economy by lowering costs for working families, giving workers well-deserved raises, reducing the deficit by historic levels,” Biden said.

Republicans have said President Biden’s policies have led to inflation hitting a 40-year high.

The president arrived at O’Hare on Air Force One about 11 a.m. and briefly met with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle before getting into another aircraft and flying to Kankakee, where the average person is struggling with that inflation.

“I think for the average person going into the grocery store and looking at the prices of food is … you have to be almost independently wealthy to even shop at Walmart,” Kankakee resident Bernard Ryan said.

Newlywed Kiley Dolliger said it’s tough.

“It’s frustrating to have to spend more money, but, for me personally, it kind of is, like, it is what it is,” she said.

Skyrocketing gas prices are also causing sticker shock.

“It’s a little frustrating, but I feel like a lot of it is because what’s going on in Ukraine, and I’m glad they’re not bombing my house,” Kankakee resident Wayne Marti said.