U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), still recovering from a ischemic stroke and undergoing brain surgery more than two weeks ago, has seen his condition upgraded to good, his doctors announced Monday.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital neurosurgeon Dr. Richard Fessler on Monday announced that Kirk watched the Super Bowl on Sunday and will begin rehabilitation training soon, CBS Chicago reports.
"We are very pleased with his continued improvement," Fessler said, according to CBS.
The U.S. senator on Sunday also visited with family as he continues to make what Fessler called "good progress" toward his recovery, NBC Chicago reports.
Though Kirk remains hospitalized, his legislative work is soldiering on. As WBEZ reports, the senator has missed 14 roll call votes since his Jan. 21 stroke but, as an office spokesperson told the station, his staff "will continue [to] pursue his legislative priorities and provide the same level of service and dedication to the residents of Illinois as they have for the last year."
On Monday, President Obama advanced what NBC Chicago called one of Kirk's "pet issues" -- an executive order imposing new sanctions on Iran's Central Bank as part of an attempt increase pressure on the Islamic nation to abandon its nuclear program.
Meanwhile, Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) on Monday emphasized to the Daily Herald that he is rooting for his colleague's full recovery.
Kirk, 52, checked himself into the Lake Forest Hospital after suffering dizziness and headaches last month. He underwent emergency surgery to relieve swelling around his brain and his doctors have emphasized they are pleased with the senator's continued progress.