State Sen. DeWitte announces prostate cancer diagnosis

State Sen. Don DeWitte announced Monday that he is being treated for prostate cancer but expects to be back at work in the state Capitol next month.

DeWitte, a St. Charles Republican who represents the 33rd Senate District, said he had surgery Dec. 23 and is recuperating out of state with relatives.

He expects to be back in Springfield in mid-February, he said. His offices in West Dundee and St. Charles remain open in his absence.

DeWitte said an annual blood test in September showed an increase in prostate-specific antigen. That was followed by an MRI and a biopsy, which showed mostly nonaggressive cells, he said.

“The good news is that because of early detection, and the fact that the cancer never had a chance to spread, my prognosis is excellent,” DeWitte said in his announcement. “The surgical resolution puts me at 99% cured.”

DeWitte, 71, has been a state senator since 2018. He is not seeking reelection this year.

He also served as a St. Charles alderman from 1993 to 2005, and then two terms as the city’s mayor.

The 33rd District includes all or parts of Algonquin, Carpentersville, West Dundee, Plato Center, South Elgin, Campton Hills, St. Charles, Geneva, Elburn and Crystal Lake.