Sen. Mark Kirk’s (R-Highland Park) condition was ungraded to good from fair today as he continues to recover from a stroke suffered Jan. 21, according to a statement from Dr. Richard Fessler, the neurosurgeon treating the senator at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

“Senator Kirk is making good progress in his recovery,” Fessler said. “He has been upgraded to good condition and we anticipate he will be able to start the rehabilitation phase soon. We are very pleased with his continued improvement.”

Kirk watched the Super Bowl Sunday as he continues to visit with family and friends.

Earlier: Doctor Upgrades Kirk’s Condition to Fair

Since having the stroke Jan. 21, Kirk has undergone two operations to relieve swelling in his brain. The swelling stabilized Friday. Both surgeries were successful and Fessler has been pleased with the continual progress. 

Doctors performed the first operation Jan. 22 when they removed a four by eight inch piece of Kirk’s skull to relieve swelling in his brain, according to statements from the Senator’s office. On Wednesday, dead tissue was removed from Kirk’s brain to accommodate the swelling, according to Fessler.

On Jan. 29, Kirk received a visit from his best friend in the Senate, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), who brought Kirk cards from his colleagues, magazines and some work to do, according to a statement from the Senator’s office.

Kirk checked himself into Lake Forest Hospital Jan. 21, where doctors discovered a carotid artery dissection in the right side of his neck, according to a release issued Monday by Kirk’s office. He was transferred to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where further tests revealed that he had suffered an ischemic stroke.