Kirk moved to Chicago rehab center

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U.S. Senator Mark Kirk meets with the Sun-Times editorial board. | Rich Hein~Sun-Times

Updated: February 13, 2012 2:45PM

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, who suffered a stroke nearly three weeks ago, was transferred Friday to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

The 52-year-old senator had three surgeries, including a three-hour surgery Jan. 22 in which doctors removed a 4-by-8-inch section of his skull.

Kirk, who lives in Highland Park, will be under the care of Dr. Richard L. Harvey, medical director of RIC’s center for stroke rehabilitation.

“RIC’s team of experts will spend the next few days assessing Sen. Kirk’s condition and developing a comprehensive, targeted rehabilitation program tailored to achieve the goals that will be established by Sen. Kirk and his family,” Harvey said in a news release.

“The senator has several pre-stroke factors in his favor that our research and experience demonstrate will foster a better recovery, including his relative youth, good general health and fitness, strong personal motivation, and high intelligence.”

On Friday afternoon, Kirk’s family issued a statement about his time at Northwestern Hospital:

“We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the incredible team at Northwestern Memorial for all they have done for Mark. Words will never be good enough to express the love and appreciation we feel. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you,” the statement said.

“As Mark begins the next phase in his recovery, we want to thank the thousands of people around the state, the nation and the world who have called, written notes, sent flowers and offered their thoughts and prayers. Mark’s drive and spirit are stronger than ever and we know he will give 110 percent in the days ahead,” the family said in the statement, released by Kirk’s office.