Sen. Mark Kirk Has Surgery After Stroke
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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images(CHICAGO) — Illinois Republican Sen. Mark Kirk underwent “successful” surgery in Chicago on Monday for a stroke, his office confirms to ABC News.
“On Saturday, Senator Kirk checked himself into Lake Forest Hospital, where doctors discovered a carotid artery dissection in the right side of his neck,” Kirk’s Senate office said in a statement. “He was transferred to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, where further tests revealed that he had suffered an ischemic stroke. Early this morning the Senator underwent surgery to relieve swelling around his brain stemming from the stroke. The surgery was successful. Due to his young age, good health and the nature of the stroke, doctors are very confident in the Senator’s recovery over the weeks ahead.”
Kirk is young by Senate standards — just 52 years old, born in 1959. Kirk came into Congress when he won the seat formerly occupied by Sen. Barack Obama.
Monday is the Senate’s first day back after nearly a three-week recess. Kirk will miss Monday’s first votes scheduled for late this afternoon.
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