Nearly a year after stroke, Kirk returns to Senate Associated Press Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 10:56 am, Thursday, January 3, 2013 WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly a year after a debilitating stroke, Sen. Mark Kirk is back at work in the Senate. During his recovery from the stroke, the senator endured an intensive, experimental rehabilitation regimen that is often compared with military boot camp because of its intensity.