Local Congressman Jackson Asks Illinoisans to Pray for Senator Kirk by Gary Kopycinski on January 23, 2012 Gary Kopycinski Author More in Local: Park Forest’s Sandra Zoellner Retires After 21 Years of Service June 17, 2026 Save the date for The Prairie Party at theNate June 17, 2026 Governors State Has New Soccer Complex and New Men’s Coach June 17, 2026 Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–January 23, 2012. Congressman Jesse L. Jackson issued the following statement today after hearing that U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) suffered a stroke this morning and is recovering after surgery.