Mark Kirk : Ask Biography

Personal data

Date of birth

September 15, 1959(age 57)

Place of birth

Champaign, Illinois

Political party

Republican

Spouse

Kimberly Vertolli (2001 � 2009) (divorced)

Residence

Highland Park, Illinois

Alma mater

Occupation

Attorney, Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve

Religion

United Church of Christ

Military service

Service/branch

United States Navy

Years of service

1989 � present

Rank

Commander

Unit

U.S. Navy Reserve

Assumed office

November 29, 2010

Serving with Dick Durbin

Preceded by

Roland Burris

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 10th district

In office

January 3, 2001 - November 29, 2010

Succeeded by

Robert Dold

Preceded by

John Porter

Mark Steven Kirk (born September 15, 1959) is the junior United States Senator from Illinois and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, Kirk was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Illinois's 10th congressional district.

Born in Champaign, Illinois, he graduated from Cornell University, London School of Economics, and Georgetown University Law Center. He practiced law throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He joined the United States Navy Reserve in 1989 and was recalled to active duty for the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. He participated in Operation Northern Watch in Iraq the following year. He remains a member of the Navy Reserve, now holding the rank of Commander.

Kirk was elected to the House in 2000. During his fifth term in November 2010 he won a special election to finish the final months of former Senator Barack Obama's term and he began a six-year Senate term beginning in 2011.