He recently returned to work following a stroke last year; that "near death" experience made him become only the second Republican senator to break ranks:
Sen. Mark Kirk on Tuesday announced that he supports gay marriage, joining a growing list of U.S. senators who offer such support.
In a statement, he wrote: "When I climbed the Capitol steps in January, I promised myself that I would return to the Senate with an open mind and greater respect for others.
"Same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage. Our time on this earth is limited, I know that better than most. Life comes down to who you love and who loves you back -- government has no place in the middle."
Too bad the Illinois Republicans will rip him to shreads