Dem. Bernie Sanders makes campaign stop in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The race for president comes to Chicago Monday night as Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders fired up supporters during an appearance in Lincoln Park.

Sanders is attracting huge crowds across the country and in Chicago, leading political pundits to suggest the he is now a viable candidate and chief rival to front runner Hillary Clinton.

The Vermont senator arrived to a cheering crowd at the Park West. Sanders graduated from the University of Chicago, where he was member of the Young People's Socialist League. He is a self-described democratic socialist who is hugely popular among progressives. The 73-year-old is being hailed as a champion for the working and middle classes.

"We will win because millions of people are willing to come together we are not going to have a government controlled by the wealthiest people of this country," Sanders told the crowd.

Sanders is the longest serving independent in United States congressional history. HIs campaign has been fueled by a recent poll that shows he leads his closest opponent Clinton by seven percentage points in New Hampshire. The former senator and Secretary of State has been dogged by an e-mail investigation.

"We agree much more strongly with Bernie," said supporter Dr. Lora Chamberlain. "He really is a presidential candidate for the people. He wants a minimum wage (increase), he wants to make college affordable."

"He's truly more progressive than the other Democratic candidates," supporter Hannah Hyman said. "He's also had the same message for 40-something years, so I think that's a huge, important thing."

"It's all grass roots," said Tim Petty. "You see what's going on, it's easy to see what's going on."

Republican presidential opponent Donald Trump, meanwhile, arrived for jury duty in New York Monday in stretch limousine. Trump was not chosen and will not be called for another six years.

Trump returns to the campaign trail on Wednesday, heading to New Hampshire, where he has a double digit lead in some polls.