State senator returns home after cancer surgery

RUSHVILLE — State Sen. John Sullivan is back home after having surgery at a Baltimore hospital to remove a rare but highly treatable type of cancer.

In a statement Wednesday, Sullivan said he’s happy to be home with his family and friends. The 53-year-old Rushville Democrat says he’ll need time to recover but he’s looking forward to getting back to work.

Sullivan had surgery Aug. 22 at Johns Hopkins Hospital after being diagnosed with liposarcoma. That’s a slow-growing cancer comprised mostly of fat cells.

Sullivan’s staff says doctors have determined there’s no need at this time for further treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation.

Sullivan has been in the Illinois Senate for 10 years. He’s running for re-election this fall against Republican Randy Frese of Paloma.