UPDATED: Sen. Mark Kirk Suffers Stroke, Recovering Nicely

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UPDATE, JAN. 24, 2012 - We are happy to report that Mark Kirk is recovering quickly from the stroke he suffered last weekend. He is breathing on his own after undergoing three hours of surgery - and he's already asking for his Blackberry phone.

January 23, 2012 - Chicago - U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois was hospitalized over this past weekend after he suffered a stroke. Doctors performed surgery on the senator today to remove a four-inch-by-eight-inch portion of his skull to relieve pressure on the brain.

Sen. Kirk's said that he checked himself into Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, where doctors discovered a "carotid artery dissection in the right side of his neck." He was then moved to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Kirk, 52, "is expected to recover cognitive functions but could have some physical impairment," reports the Chicago Tribune today, "following a weekend stroke, the neurosurgeon who operated on the senator said today following three-hour surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital."

The Tribune quotes Dr. Richard Fessler as saying that the stroke may leave Sen. Kirk with limited movement of his left arm and/or leg, and could cause some facial paralysis.

"Fortunately," said Dr. Fessler, "the stroke was not on the left side of his brain, in which case it would affect his ability to speak, understand and think."

Sen. Kirk, a Republican, is the junior Senator from Illinois and a former member of the House of Representatives. He currently holds the U.S. Senate seat in Chicago that was once held by Barack Obama. He beat Democrat Alexi Giannoulias in 2010. Giannoulias is a former Illinois State Treasurer.

Chicago News Bench has been harshly critical of Mark Kirk's politics in the past, but we wish him a full and speedy. We also wish courage and strength for his family.

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WLS's Incomplete Senate Debate

Chicago - Last night, WLS 890 AM broadcast a live debate between Mark Kirk (R) and Alexi Giannoulias (D), two of the candidates for U.S. Senate in northern Illinois. Two out of three ain't bad -- if you're playing horseshoes. But there is a third candidate in that race. He is Mike Labno, the Libertarian running for U.S. Senate. Today, Labno sent out his response to what he calls the "Partial Senatorial Debate" in the press release below. Labno has a valid point: WLS did the voters a real disservice by not including him in the debate between Kirk and Giannoulias. For Immediate Release - Oct. 20, 2010 - Last night, two of the four candidates for the US Senate were invited to debate before the cameras by The League of Women voters which, to its discredit, prevented viewers from hearing all the options that will be available to them on the ballot, Nov 2. The two candidates who were allowed to appear mostly traded jibes and misleading half-truths, which gave voters no real idea of their positions on the issues, which are clearly less important to them than their images. While Mark Kirk's views are hard to pin down, Alexi Giannoulias' mistaken idea that the Constitution of the United States, and the principles of strictly limited Federal power and checks and balances central to it, are open to review and revision was alarming. It is hard to say whose interests are served by "debates" like this one, but it is clearly not the Illinois voter's. Mike Labno is the Libertarian candidate for US Senate. He resides in Oak Brook, IL. He is the only pro-life, pro-second amendment, fiscal and constitutional conservative on the ballot.

Jesse Jackson Jr's Trojan Horse For Mark Kirk

Suppose a well known Black, loyal Democrat member of the U.S. Congress endorsed the White Republican candidate who's running for U.S. Senate. Why would he do that? And should the Republican welcome it? "Now, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who did not endorse anyone in the Democratic primary, is flirting with the idea of backing Republican nominee Mark Kirk in the general election," writes Jonathan Allen at Politico.com. If true, this would be earth shattering - and confusing - for Democrats and Republicans alike. Jackson, of course, is a Democrat. Kirk is (for the most part) a Republican. Kirk is running against Democrat Alexi Giannoulias. If Jackson does come out and back Mark Kirk, that will convince some Democrat voters to abandon Giannoulias. Consider the race factor here: Jackson is Black, Giannoulias is White. Black voters have no ethnic horse in this race, as both Kirk and Giannoulias are White. However, if a Black Congressman like Jackson were to endorse Kirk, it would carry some sway. Kirk currently represents the 10th Congressional District in Illinois. Giannoulias is currently the failed Illinois State Treasure. Jackson has the stench of corruption about him with regards to the Blagojevich Affair. Additionally, more Republican voters would be turned off to Kirk. Many already are upset with him for his vote for Cap And Trade. In fact, some call him "Cap'n Trade." They also call him a RINO (Republican In Name Only). “I like Alexi Giannoulias, but I have great respect for Mark Kirk and his service to the people of Illinois,” Jackson told Politico. Jonathan Allen points out in his article that Jackson and Kirk work together on the House Appropriations Committee, "on which both are senior members of the subcommittee that provides foreign aid." Trojan Horse Endorsement: Jackson may be willing to take some heat for "endorsing" Kirk. Why? Consider the possible effects that I noted above. Consider that Jackson's endorsement would probably drive more voters away from Kirk than from Giannoulias, thereby helping Giannoulias to win. In other words, an endorsement by Jackson would be a kind of Trojan Horse, and it smacks of covert DNC marching orders. Kirk and Giannoulias are competing to replace Sen. Roland Burris, who was appointed by former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to fill the seat once held by Comrade Barack Obama. Roland Burris promised to not run for that seat, didn't he? Yes, he did, back in July, 2009. So, then why does Burris have a 2010 Senate campaign website? Has Burris gone back on his word? Or is he just trying to scam campaign donations that will end up as personal income after paying taxes on them?

MB Financial's Broadway Debut

APRIL 23, 2010 - Chicago - As expected, the FDIC moved into Broadway Bank at closing time. This evening at 6:00, federal regulators secured the bank and began their work to secure a smooth transition as Broadway Bank is absorbed into MB Financial Bank. It will open at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 24 under the new name.

Broadway Bank was just one of seven Illinois banks to be shut down today by federal regulators.

Broadway Bank is (was?) owned by Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias' family. He is running as a Democrat for U.S. Senate against Republican incumbent Mark Kirk. Giannoulias has close personal ties to Barack Obama, a former Chicago community agitator who now lives in Washington, D.C. working as a national agitator.

Associated Press reports that "Broadway Bank, which was heavy into real estate loans and lost $75 million last year, had been given until Monday to raise about $85 million in new capital, but the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. announced at the close of business Friday that Broadway was among four banks, all in Illinois, that had failed." More from AP at The Daily Herald...

Workers were already removing "Broadway Bank"  signage at 6:15 p.m. They scraped gilded letters from inside the large windows and the front door. Just after 7:00 p.m., the big lighted sign over the sidewalk was draped with a canvas that says "MB Financial Bank."

Many of the major local television news crews were there this evening. Most told me that they would be there most of the night.

"Yeah," one glumly told me, "this is an all-nighter. Definitely a live standup for the 10 o'clock broadcast." A handful of bloggers and freelance photographers were also hanging around. 

The FDIC regulators were gracious, coming out and answering any questions of media folks and customers alike. One of the regulators, dressed in a navy blue, pin striped suit with a brass "FDIC" lapel pin, told me that bank customers need not worry about their money.

The FDIC man said that the ATM machine at the 5960 N. Broadway location was to be shut down for "about an hour," but that Broadway Bank ATMs around Chicago "would not be affected." The hour-long shut down of the branch's ATM was to switch it over to the MB Financial system. (That transition has probably happened between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.)

RELATED:

Bank of Montreal, MB Financial Acquire Failed Illinois Lenders Bloomberg

Obama Friend's Bank Shut Down During US Senate Bid BusinessWeek

Feds Close Curtain on Broadway. Will Dems Yank Giannoulias?  Chicago Daily Observer

Alexi Giannoulias, The Perfect Democrat for US Senate

Alexi Giannoulias may be the ideal Democrat candidate for the U.S. Senate. He already has the requisite stench of corruption, after all, with mob ties and all. He and his family have even shown that their expertise in handling large amounts of money is about as good as any Democrat already in the U.S. Senate. The Giannoulias family's troubled Broadway Bank, in Chicago, is virtually bust, and must "attract at least $75 million in capital by late April to meet terms of a consent order with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. prompted by losses on commercial real-estate loans," according to BusinessWeek. "Even if successful, the family could lose control before November’s election, dealing a blow to Democrats and an Obama friend." Alexi Giannoulias is a close friend of Barack Obama, and they share another close acquaintance: Tony Rezko. BusinessWeek notes that "Some of the Broadway loans that have generated controversy involve Michael Giorango, a convicted bookmaker and prostitution-ring promoter. It has also made loans to convicted Illinois influence peddler Antoin 'Tony' Rezko and a family accused of having connections to organized crime." Giorango was actually convicted twice of federal bookmaking charges and also of promoting a nationwide prostitution operation. Michael "Jaws" Giorango is just one of Giannoulias' scummy acquaintances. Giannoulias has said that Giorango is "not a friend," but just "a customer” of his family's bank. “Any banker can tell you that you pull a credit report," Giannoulias said in March, 2006, "you look at their economic background. You don’t always get a criminal background. We’re a commercial real estate lender. We deal with thousands of clients.” However, in April, 2006 Giannoulias admitted that "he discussed with convicted bookmaker and prostitution ring promoter Michael Giorango his criminal past." Rezko. Giorango. Blagojevich. A broken bank. The perfect Illinois Democrat. He'll fit right into the U.S. Senate. Unless, of course, Republican challenger Mark Kirk defeats him in November. Credit: The "Alexi the Mob Banker" graphic by Warner T. Huston. RELATED: Suits awaken old ghosts for Giannoulias Marathon Pundit: Ethically challenged Chicago Democrat Giannoulias ... Giannoulias's Bank Funded Radical Anti-Israel Group ... BackyardConservative: Alexi in the Hot Seat Speaker Pelosi Blocks Investigations of Corrupt Democrats Video: Mark Kirk Ties Alexi Giannoulias' Broadway Bank To Chicago Mob Illinois Democrats no cure for what ails Obama The Corrupt Democrats Blagojevich, Rezko, and The Mob. Alexi Giannoulias would make Tony Soprano Proud Feds Target Rampant Democrat Corruption... Democrat Corruption has turned Capitol Hill into Tammany Hill ... No. 05-443: Giorango v. United States - Opposition Leave a Comment * Conservative T-Shirts * Follow CNB on Twitter * RSS Feed

Mark Kirk Afraid to Debate Patrick Hughes? (Yep)

January 30, 2010 - Patrick Hughes is running for the U.S. Senate against Congressman Mark Kirk. Both are Republicans, but only Hughes is a true conservative. Kirk has been widely derided as a RINO, especially for his yes vote on Cap and Trade. 

Today, with the primary election next Tuesday, February 2, Hughes challenges Kirk to a debate - again. 

The following is from the Hughes Campaign: 

In Early September of 2009 I kicked off my campaign for U.S. Senate in Illinois. I knew that Illinois needed a Conservative option on the ballot and Mark Kirk is no Conservative. So I began to travel the state and go wherever Republican voters had gathered. I went to township meetings, county party meetings, voter education fairs, candidate forums, debates, and whatever else you can think of. I traveled the Chicago suburbs, Rockford, Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign, Springfield, Alton, Effingham, Shelbyville, and anywhere else in the state that I could. I did it all for the voters of Illinois because I understood how important for them to know who the candidates are before they go vote on February 2nd. 

Today we are just days away from the primary election and I can't help but wonder, "Where has Mark Kirk been." Of all the events that I have been to, I have only seen him a few times. He has had no problem going to editorial board meetings and running commercials full of deceit, but he has refused to face the voters of Illinois and answer their questions of Illinois? 

Illinois voters want to know why Mark Kirk voted for Cap and Trade, why he sponsors over $81 million in earmarks for his campaign donors and voted for billions in other earmark projects, why he bailed out the banks that have now contributed nearly $800,000 to his campaign, why he supports partial birth abortion, why he opposed the Iraq troop surge, why he threatens our national security by forcing us to depend on foreign oil and not drill for our own, and on and on. These are questions Mark Kirk has dodged, and the time for dodging has come to an end.

Mark Kirk has ignored the voters of Illinois by refusing to attend candidate forums and debates. He has turned his back to the voters of this state and the democratic process as a whole. 

That is why I am publicly calling on Mark Kirk to accept an invitation to debate me before the Tuesday primary. I understand the hectic schedule of the finals days of a campaign, but the people of Illinois deserve a chance to hear a debate. So the question is, does Mark Kirk actually respect the voters of Illinois? Will he debate me and show the voters of Illinois that he is ready to stand up for them in the U.S. Senate? How can we trust a guy to stand up for all of Illinois as a Senator if he won't stand up for himself in a debate? 

Call Mark Kirk's office today, 847-498-0300, ask him why he won't face Illinois voters and tell him to accept my debate challenge. Help me find Mark Kirk. Patrick Hughes 

RELATED: 

• RINOs Need Not Apply? 
• Mark Levin, Laura Ingraham Endorse Patrick Hughes for Senate 
• Illinois Review: Conservative Victory Fund endorses Patrick Hughes 
• Patrick Hughes calls GOP Senate rival Mark Kirk "Nancy Pelosi Lite 
• Patrick Hughes For Senate: Mark Levin Show 
• Patrick Hughes v. Mark Kirk: Illinois May be Test Case for Effectiveness of Tea Parties

Mark Kirk's RINO Trap

by IOTW Reports - In the Illinois Republican primary, the establishment pick, Mark Kirk, is trying to paint himself as a conservative. [Continued below the graphic...] Mark Kirk is the very definition of a RINO, and he is trying to trap Conservative Republicans with a box of lies. Despite his votes for Cap and Trade, millions in earmark projects for his campaign donors, and support for the bank bailouts, he is calling himself a “fiscal conservative” and a “budget hawk.” The Washington elite are trying to jam another liberal candidate down the throats of voters. It is time we take our party back and let Washington know we want Conservative candidates and we want to pick them ourselves. Conservatives do have a choice in Illinois with Patrick Hughes. He is a businessman, father, and true fiscal conservative. We have a chance to fix what is broken, stop massive government spending, and put an end to a Washington that is only interested in helping Washington; but we need to make sure Patrick wins the Republican primary on February 2nd. We must act today, stop the RINO Mark Kirk, and make sure Patrick Hughes wins the Republican nomination in Illinois. Right Klik has the skinny on this Illinois primary. KL South has a great compilation of quotes which clearly illustrates why Patrick Hughes is the clear choice in Illinois. ALSO SEE: Rootless RINOS Hat tip: Cheryl Prater Leave a Comment * Conservative T-Shirts * Follow CNB on Twitter * RSS Feed

Tea Party Nation Sends Congrats to Scott Brown

A message to all members of Tea Party Nation Tuesday, January 19, 2010 8:46 PM CST / 9:46 PM EST Congratulations to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in voting for Senator Elect Scott Brown! The nation cheers with you! Now on to next battle! Mostly ignored because of the news surrounding Scott Brown, the Illinois primary is coming up on February 2, 2010. RINO Congressman Mark Kirk is running for Obama's old seat. If he wins the Republican nomination, this fall Illinois will have a choice between two liberals for the Illinois Senate seat. Mark Kirk is one of 8 Republican Congressmen who voted for Cap & Trade. His voting record is consistently liberal. Illinois voters do have a choice on February 2. Pat Hughes is a solid Conservative who is running for the Republican Nomination. Now that Scott Brown has won, consider donating your time and money to support Pat Hughes' campaign. Once again, congratulations goes out to Senator Elect Scott Brown! Tea Party Nation Visit Tea Party Nation at: http://www.teapartynation.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network Leave a Comment * Conservative T-Shirts * Follow CNB on Twitter * RSS Feed

Young Republicans Boozing

This should be fun. A bunch of young Republicans will gather to drink beer (oh, that must give Mullah Jim Dodge the heebee-jeebies!) and talk politics tonight (Jan. 13) at Faith & Whiskey (1365 W. Fullerton Avenue). The official attraction is the just the sure-to-come fireworks of the GOP gubernatorila candidates' debate, which will be televised on ABC7 Chicago. That will be entertaining enough, but the world will be watching the crowd at Faith & Whiskey. I'm told there will be a BBC news crew there to get opinions about the first year of the Obama Administration, as well as the current political mood in Illinois, Land of Corruption. Sen. Steve Rauschenberger will be on hand and rumor has it that embattled Congressman Mark Kirk may stop by. Now, I mentioned Jim Dodge a moment ago. He's the liberal Republican running for Comptroller who's been criticizing his opponent, conservative Republican Bill Kelly, for - get this - drinking beer. Will Dodge attack the Young Republicans for being at Faith & Whiskey, where the drink specials tonight include $1.00 Old Styles and $3.00 well drinks? More details, courtesy of the Chicago Young Republicans: The Chicago Young Republicans (CYR) will gather to view the ABC7/League of Women Voters Gubernatorial Debate. Here, individuals will decide who they want to support to face the Democrat opposition next fall and discuss Governor Quinn’s State of the State address. Who: The CYRs with special guest Steve Rauschenberger, Former State Senator and Former Candidate for U.S. Senate & Governor. What: The CYRs will be available for debate & state of the state reaction. When: Wednesday January 13, 6:00-10:30pm. Where: Faith & Whiskey, 1365 W. Fullerton Ave, Chicago IL If you would like to know more about the campaign or the Chicago Young Republicans please contact Corrine Williams at (305) 479-5683 or via email at CorrineAnnWilliams@gmail.com or Jeremy Rose at (630) 835-6049 or via email at jermy85@gmail.com Leave a Comment * Conservative T-Shirts * Follow CNB on Twitter * RSS Feed

FLASH - Hamos Running for Congress

July 27, 2009 - In an email blast this morning, Julie Hamos has announced that she will run for the 10th Congressional District seat. Hamos (D-Evanston) is currently a resident of the 9th Cong. District, and is the Illinois State Representative in the 18th Legislative District. Monday, July 27, 2009 10:23 AM For Immediate Release Contact: Mike Fourcher, (847) 550-3777 Julie Hamos To Announce Candidacy For Illinois' 10th Congressional District WHERE: Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Road, Highland Park WHEN: Tuesday, July 28, 12:30 PM WHO: State Representative Julie Hamos and supporters: State Representative Elaine Nekritz; State Senator Susan Garrett; State Senator Jeff Schoenberg; State Representative Karen May; Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin; Lake County Commissioner Anne Bassi; Buffalo Grove Mayor Elliot Hartstein; Northfield Township Democratic Committeeman Mike Kreloff; and others. Rep. Julie Hamos will launch her campaign for Congress in the 10th Congressional District and will also be available for individual press interviews immediately following the announcement event. RELATED: Julie Hamos Is Lost and Confused, Act Two All Eyes On IL-10 Leave a Comment... See Our Online Store Chicago News Bench RSS Feed We're on Twitter...

Mark Kirk On WGN Tonight, Will Talk Stimulus

Tune in to WGN Radio at 6:38 p.m - Congressman Mark Kirk (R-IL) will be talking stimulus with host Steve Cochran on WGN 720 AM. You can listen online at http://www.wgnradio.com/ Congressman Kirk is in in his fifth term of representing Chicgao's northern suburbs. Kirk also serves on the Appropriations Committee and is a Navy Reservist. RELATED: Kudos to Kirk for vote on House bill CNB RSS Feed

Governor Nutsojevich

Is Rod Blagojevich insane? Friend Anne Leary at Backyard Conservative has a killa post today about Illinois Goobernor Rod Blagojevich, and the insanity issue is addressed. It's a must-read, darkly funny, and has amazing quotes. For example: "He's gone insane. He has decided that he's only got a couple of days left in office and he's gonna go out in a blaze of misguided glory," said Republican Rep. Mark Kirk of Chicago's north suburbs. Anne's post is rich in information and relevant links.

KIRK DEFEATS SEALS

WHEW! Some of the Bolshies were held at bay. For example, Congressman Mark Kirk (R-IL) held his office by defeating his challenger, Democrat Dan Seals, in a tight race in Chicago's north shore communities. Kirk’s race was one of three where suburban Republicans fended off Democratic challengers emboldened by Barack Obama’s presence at the top of the ticket in his home state. Freshman Rep. Peter Roskam of Wheaton and veteran Rep. Judy Biggert of Hinsdale declared victory over their Democratic challengers. MORE at Chicago Tribune...