Illinois State Rep. Deb Mell on Wednesday confirmed reports that she's been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Mell, who represents the 40th District on Chicago's northwest side, said the cancer is Stage 1 and that she is getting advice from her doctors.
"I am very grateful for my wife, Christin, my family and friends and especially the radiology team at Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Center at Northwestern who found the cancer," she said, according to the Windy City Times. "I will continue to serve my constituents, and hope for a speedy recovery."
On Twitter Wednesday night, Mell posted a simple "thank you" to a well-wisher offering prayers "for a quick recovery."
Mell was first elected to office in 2008. She is the daughter of longtime Ald. Richard Mell (33rd), and she is the sister-in-law of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
She made history last year when she became the first state lawmaker to wed a same-sex partner. She and Christin Baker were legally wed in a ceremony in Davenport, Iowa on Aug. 24, 2011.
