After suffering a stroke Saturday, Senator Mark Kirk ’81 (R-Ill.), was in intensive care at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Ill as of Monday night. Kirk’s chances for a full mental recovery are good, according to a press release from Kirk’s office, although Dr. Richard Fessler, a neurosurgeon at Northwestern Memorial, told the Chicago Tribune that Kirk runs the risk of contracting facial paralysis, and may also have difficultly moving his left arm and leg in the future.

According to a press release, Kirk, 52, checked himself into the Lake Forest Hospital on Saturday. Doctors there determined Kirk had a carotid artery dissection on the right side of his neck. He was later transferred to Northwestern Memorial, where further tests revealed he had suffered an ischemic stroke.

Monday morning, Kirk underwent surgery at the hospital to remove a piece of his skull and prevent further swelling around his brain. A spokesperson from Kirk’s office released a statement saying the surgery was successful, and that “due to his young age, good health and the nature of the stroke, doctors are very confident in the Senator’s recovery over the weeks ahead.”

Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said he was shocked when he heard about Kirk’s hospitalization, according to The Chicago Tribune. According to both Durbin and a Kirk aide, Kirk has always been healthy, noting that he is required to pass medical checks every six months as part of his service in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

Kirk, who graduated cum laude from Cornell with a B.A. in history, secured his senate seat — previously held by President Barack Obama — in 2010, succeeding Senator Roland Burris (D-Ill.). Burris was appointed to the post temporarily when Obama vacated it after winning the 2008 presidential election. 

After serving five terms in the House of Representatives, Kirk was one of eight Cornell alumni to win a Congressional seat in 2010.