Kirk watched Super Bowl, condition ‘good’

Doctors at Northwestern Memorial Hospital said Monday that U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk is “making good progress in his recovery” following his Jan. 21 stroke and watched the Super Bowl on TV Sunday.

The Highland Park Republican has been upgraded to “good” condition, and doctors at the Chicago hospital anticipate he will be able to start rehabilitation soon.

“We are very pleased with his continued improvement,” Dr. Richard Fessler, Kirk’s surgeon, said. Kirk “is visiting with family and even watched the Super Bowl last night,” doctors said Monday.

Kirk, 52, a Naval Reserve officer and former 10th District congressman, suffered the stroke as a result of a carotid artery dissection in the right side of his neck, which interrupted the flow of blood to his brain.

He is expected to undergo a procedure soon to replace a segment of his skull that was removed to relieve pressure from swelling in his brain.