© 2025 St. Louis Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
88.5 FM KMST is experiencing a power outage due to high winds. Listen via our live HD1 stream at stlpr.org or on the STLPR app.

Sen. Kirk upgraded to fair condition, is talking

Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk is continuing to improve after a major stroke and has been upgraded to fair condition.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital neurosurgeon Richard Fessler says Kirk is alert, talking and responding well to questions.

The Chicago hospital released a statement Monday about Kirk's progress, a little more than a week after he suffered a stroke that's affected his left side.

Fessler says doctors are very pleased with Kirk's progress. Kirk is 52 and was in good health when he was stricken.

Doctors believe a clot developed from a tear in an artery in his neck and lodged in his brain. Doctors removed part of his skull to relieve pressure and allow the brain to swell.