Sen. Kirk visits Lincolnshire to talk with GOP faithful

The Lake County Republican Federation welcomed more than 150 guests to the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort on Dec. 6 for an event dubbed “A Conversation with Sen. Mark Kirk.”

Kirk, a Highland Park Republican in his first senatorial term, mingled with guests before the program started. Some wore buttons from Kirk’s previous campaigns for the U.S. House.

Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor, a former Kirk staffer, introduced a video highlighting Kirk’s rehabilitation from a stroke. After an introduction, Kirk appeared onstage to a standing ovation.

The highlight of the program was a question-and-answer discussion between Republican Federation President Larry Falbe and Kirk. They discussed a wide range of topics, including sanctions in Iran, unrest in Syria, the Affordable Care Act, gangs in Chicago and the state of the Illinois Republican party.

The audience listened intently as the senator described his recovery from his stroke and how it has motivated him to help stroke victims return to work.

After the main conversation, Kirk answered questions from the audience. Topics included the Illinois pension crisis and the sanctions against Iran.

The event was a fundraiser for the Republican Party, ahead of the 2014 election season.

Kirk appeared as a special guest and did not ask for funds or donations.