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GARY | Preparations are underway for what should be President Barack Obama's first landing at the Gary/Chicago International Airport while serving as president.

Military transport planes landed at the airport Tuesday, and the Federal Aviation Administration has issued notices restricting airspace around the Gary airport Wednesday and Thursday.

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson will greet Obama as he gets off Air Force One, according to her spokeswoman, Chelsea Whittington.

The mayor's administration does not think Obama chose Gary because of any problems at O'Hare due to last week's arson at an Aurora radar center, Whittington said.

"We feel and hope it is because of the convenience of Gary's location to Chicago," she said. "We are, after all, the third airport for the Chicago area."

On Thursday, Obama will attend a fundraiser for Gov. Pat Quinn in Chicago in the morning and will later deliver a talk at Northwestern University, according to Chicago-area media reports.

Gov. Mike Pence's office was notified in advance by the White House that Obama would be coming to Gary, said governor's communications director Christy Denault.