The student body president sent a very thoughtful invitation. I know people are still wondering why I didn't speak at the commencement. Now, I want to start by addressing the elephant in the room. He is somebody who set the path for so much outstanding public service here in Illinois. And I am deeply honored at the Paul Douglas Award that is being given to me.

I want to thank President Killeen and everybody at the U of I System for making it possible for me to be here today. I also noticed, by the way, former Governor Edgar here, who I haven't seen in a long time, and somehow he has not aged and I have. I have a bunch of good friends here today, including somebody who I served with, who is one of the finest senators in the country, and we're lucky to have him, your Senator, Dick Durbin is here. Please give it up for Amaury once again for that outstanding introduction. And they were very impressed at my agricultural knowledge. I was trying to explain to somebody as we were flying in, that's corn. President Obama: Hey! Hello, Illinois! I-L-L!

Here is a transcript of Obama's speech as provided by his office:

Former President Barack Obama on Friday launched a direct and blistering attack on President Donald Trump and Republicans and called on Americans to get to the ballot box in November to 'restore some semblance of sanity to our politics.'Īt one point referencing the 'crazy stuff coming out of this White House,' Obama told students and others gathered at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign that even if they don't agree with Democrats on certain issues, they should still want to see a 'restoration of honesty and decency and lawfulness in government.'

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