US Rep. Lauren Underwood undergoing surgery to remove uterine fibroids
Underwood defeated Republican Jim Oberweis last November to win 2nd term
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WLS) -- U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville, is undergoing surgery Thursday to remove uterine fibroids, a spokeswoman for the congresswoman said.
Underwood was scheduled to undergo surgery at the University of Chicago Medical Center Thursday and said she is grateful to her team of doctors, nurses and support professionals.
She will recover in Illinois over the coming weeks, where she will continue to work representing the 14th Congressional District.
"(Underwood) looks forward to traveling throughout the 14th District and returning to the House of Representatives soon," the statement said.
Underwood defeated Republican Jim Oberweis to win a second term last November.
The largely white district outside Chicago has historically been Republican but flipped in 2018. Underwood, who is Black, was the first woman and first minority to win the congressional seat once held by Speaker Dennis Hastert.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
