Trump Announces Rally at UIC Next Week, Thousands RSVP to Protest

Fresh off an... interesting GOP debate, Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump is heading to Chicago next week — and Chicagoans have already planned a protest.

Trump is scheduled to speak at 6 p.m. March 11 at UIC Pavilion, 526 S. Racine Ave. Admission is free, but tickets are required.

Soon after DNAinfo Chicago first reported the location, a Facebook event popped up, hosted by "Stop Trump 2016- Chicago," for a protest to begin at 3 p.m before the rally's doors open. 

Trump told Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed he was excited about the visit: “I’m planning to give a speech and stay at my world-famous hotel, the Trump Tower.

“I love Chicago. I love Mike Ditka. I love my hotel ... the Trump Tower, which is No 1. We are No 1. No. 1. And how about my polls. Amazing, huh?”

While there's no doubt Trump is No. 1 in GOP polls, his hotel is actually No. 5 in Chicago, according to a U.S. News and World Report ranking. The Langham at 330 N. Wabash Ave. is No. 1.