Obama to stump for Dems in Maryland and Illinois

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is helping Democrats running for office in Maryland and Illinois.

Obama heads to Maryland on Thursday afternoon to speak at a rally for Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley at Bowie State University.

Later, the president flies to Chicago to attend an evening reception for Senate hopeful Alexi Giannoulias. That will be followed by a dinner event for Giannoulias at a private residence. The president then returns to Washington.

Earlier, before his political duties, Obama will sign two security bills — the Intelligence Authorization Bill and the Reducing Over-Classification Bill.