Mark Kirk to return to Senate on Jan. 3

Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) will return to the Senate floor after suffering a stroke in January. (Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press )

By Katherine Skiba

December 6, 2012, 11:54 a.m.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Mark Steven Kirk, the Illinois Republican who suffered a stroke in January, plans to return to the Senate floor Jan. 3, the first day of the new Congress, Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.) said Thursday.

A Senate official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the return date and said it would be marked by a “significant event” with Kirk walking up the Capitol steps to the chamber.

Hultgren said there were plans for a “big party and celebration when he comes back,” and that lawmakers from Illinois may gather in or near the Senate chamber to welcome him.

“I’m just really excited,” he said. “ I’m so grateful for the recovery he’s been able to make.”

Hultgren said he had not visited with Kirk, but had talked to him a few times on the phone.

Aides to Kirk had no immediate comment.

On Nov. 4, the 53-year-old Kirk climbed 37 floors of Chicago’s Willis Tower during a fundraiser for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, where he is being treated.

Kirk, from Highland Park, later told reporters he planned to return to Washington in January, without specifying a date. He served almost 10 years in the House before being elected to the Senate in 2010.

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Comments (6)

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I. R. Steen at 7:58 AM December 07, 2012

Nice that Liar Kirk will be coming back AFTER his comrades in the RepubliKlan voted down the UN Treaty that was such a slap in the face to ALL disabled Americans.

I just bet this jerk can't wait to hobble up the first ten steps of the Capitol only to fall into the waiting arms of Man Turtle McConnell - then have some Congressional Pages carry his inert body the rest of the way up the steps - befitting a liar and a cheat of the RepubliKlan Party.

HP0000 at 4:09 PM December 06, 2012

A vote of confidence should be the norm for all senators regardless of health concerns and should be part of the process at least once a year w/out campaigning if not given the politico should be out of a Job is like a Job performance for politicos

gaiapj at 2:04 PM December 06, 2012

Maybe the Senator Kirk should ask the People of Illinois If they want a Senator who has had a stroke representing them In The Senate. Being without representation for almost a year, the People of Illinois should have a vote of confidence to return him to the Senate.

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