Report: Sen. Kirk hoping to return in January

Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), who suffered a stroke in January, is hoping to return to work in Washington this coming January, according to a report from NBC in Chicago.

Kirk spoke on camera with NBC over the weekend after climbing 37 flights of stairs as part of a rehabilitation program at the Rehab Institute of Chicago. He said the stair climb at Willis Tower is an event that helped keep him motivated over several long months of rehabilitation.

"I hope this gives a message to people across Illinois that may face stroke," Kirk said. He was greeted by his mother at the top of Willis Tower.

Kirk joked that he helped his rehabilitation chances by "befriending people who had big staircases." He said that includes his speech therapist.

"Once I found out that she was in a 44-story apartment building, I became her best friend, and then started training in her building."

Kirk praised the help he has gotten during his rehabilitation. "They kept saying you're going to get better, and they were right," he said.

---