Sen. Kirk is seen as moderate gay ally
Chicago, IL -
U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) suffered a stroke over the weekend and underwent surgery Monday at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
In a statement on his Senate website, Kirk's office said the senator checked himself into Lake Forest Hospital on Saturday.
"Doctors discovered a carotid artery dissection in the right side of his neck. He was transferred to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, where further tests revealed that he had suffered an ischemic stroke," the statement said.
Kirk suffered swelling in his brain Sunday night, which forced doctors at Northwestern to remove part of his skull during surgery. According to Kirk reps., 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," his office said on its website.
During a Monday afternoon press conference, doctors at Northwestern revealed the stroke was to the right side of Kirk's brain, which will affect his ability to move his left arm and possibly his left leg.
Kirk defeated Democrat Alexi Giannoulias in a close 2010 election to capture President Barack Obama's old U.S. Senate seat.
The North Shore congressman and Navy reservist is considered a moderate gay ally, although the Human Right Campaign (HRC) pulled its endorsement of him during the 2010 campaign after he voted against the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the 1993 law that forbids gay troops from revealing their sexuality.
Kirk supported a federal hate crimes law that included sexual orientation and gender identity and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill that would outlaw workplace LGBT discrimination. He won HRC's backing over an openly gay Democratic candidate in 2004.
The 52-year-old lives in Highland Park, is divorced and has no children.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after learning that his friend and colleague has been hospitalized:
"I was stunned to learn that Mark suffered a stroke. He is young and in good physical condition and I have no doubt he will make a speedy recovery. I have reached out to his staff and offered to do anything I can to help with his Senate duties. Loretta and I will keep Mark and his family in our prayers."
U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) released the following statement: "Like many, we were shocked to hear about Senator Kirk's stroke this morning. Our thoughts are with him for a full and speedy recovery."
Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka said in a statement: "Like anyone who knows Senator Kirk, I am stunned and saddened to hear about his recent stroke. But if there is one thing I have learned about Mark over the years, it's that he is a fighter and relentless in his efforts to accomplish a goal. Those attributes will serve him well in working toward a rapid recovery. My thoughts and prayers are with him."
Cook County Board President Tony Preckwinkle Tweeted: "I want to wish Senator Kirk a full recovery and I send my thoughts and prayers to him and his family in this difficult time."
In a statement on his Senate website, Kirk's office said the senator checked himself into Lake Forest Hospital on Saturday.
"Doctors discovered a carotid artery dissection in the right side of his neck. He was transferred to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, where further tests revealed that he had suffered an ischemic stroke," the statement said.
Kirk suffered swelling in his brain Sunday night, which forced doctors at Northwestern to remove part of his skull during surgery. According to Kirk reps., 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," his office said on its website.
During a Monday afternoon press conference, doctors at Northwestern revealed the stroke was to the right side of Kirk's brain, which will affect his ability to move his left arm and possibly his left leg.
Kirk defeated Democrat Alexi Giannoulias in a close 2010 election to capture President Barack Obama's old U.S. Senate seat.
The North Shore congressman and Navy reservist is considered a moderate gay ally, although the Human Right Campaign (HRC) pulled its endorsement of him during the 2010 campaign after he voted against the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the 1993 law that forbids gay troops from revealing their sexuality.
Kirk supported a federal hate crimes law that included sexual orientation and gender identity and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill that would outlaw workplace LGBT discrimination. He won HRC's backing over an openly gay Democratic candidate in 2004.
The 52-year-old lives in Highland Park, is divorced and has no children.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after learning that his friend and colleague has been hospitalized:
"I was stunned to learn that Mark suffered a stroke. He is young and in good physical condition and I have no doubt he will make a speedy recovery. I have reached out to his staff and offered to do anything I can to help with his Senate duties. Loretta and I will keep Mark and his family in our prayers."
U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) released the following statement: "Like many, we were shocked to hear about Senator Kirk's stroke this morning. Our thoughts are with him for a full and speedy recovery."
Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka said in a statement: "Like anyone who knows Senator Kirk, I am stunned and saddened to hear about his recent stroke. But if there is one thing I have learned about Mark over the years, it's that he is a fighter and relentless in his efforts to accomplish a goal. Those attributes will serve him well in working toward a rapid recovery. My thoughts and prayers are with him."
Cook County Board President Tony Preckwinkle Tweeted: "I want to wish Senator Kirk a full recovery and I send my thoughts and prayers to him and his family in this difficult time."
