By AP/St. Louis Public Radio
Chicago – The Republican candidate for Senate in Illinois is taking full responsibility for inaccurately characterizing a military award in his official biography, and says he'll correct other discrepancies if any are found.
Congressman Mark Kirk had long said he was named the Navy's intelligence officer of the year. But he admitted recently the award was given to a unit he led in 1999 - not to him individually.
Kirk also lashed out Monday at "Democratic operatives" for spending money scrutinizing his records.
He also noted that his opponent in the race, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, doesn't have a military record.
Giannoulias has called Kirk a "typical Washington politician" who can't be trusted.