Kirk tweets picture of Obama thank you for meeting Garland

CHICAGO (AP) - U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois has tweeted a photo of a note from President Barack Obama thinking him for meeting with Supreme Court nominee Judge Merrick Garland.

Kirk sent the tweet Thursday. It included a photo of a hand-written note from Obama, who thanked the Republican for his "fair and responsible" treatment of Garland. Kirk said in the tweet that he met with Garland because his responsibility to Illinoisans is more important than partisanship.

Obama plans to be in Chicago later Thursday to press his case at the University of Chicago law School for why the Senate should give Garland a seat on the court. Republican leaders in Congress are refusing to hold hearings or votes on Garland's nomination.

Obama has endorsed Kirk's opponent, Democrat Tammy Duckworth, in the November election.