* SUNDAY, 6:54 pm - Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson has been hospitalized. Sen. Watson, 63, was reportedly experiencing slurred speech and some numbness/weakness last week and checked into the hospital on Friday, where he remains. His condition is being characterized by several sources as a “very minor” stroke. But from what I understand, he is making calls from his hospital room.

The Senate Republicans are notifying their membership as I write this. A press release is promised later. More info when I know more.

* 6:58 pm - From the Senate Republicans…

Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson has been hospitalized. Doctors believe he had a very minor stroke. He expects to make a full recovery.

He has been in communication with his staff all weekend and continues to direct activities — legislative and campaign.

While campaigning in Southern Illinois, Watson began experiencing some noticeable discomfort — leading to his hospital stay. Watson is in good health and expects to make a complete recovery.

* 12:44 am - From the AP…

Watson spokeswoman Patty Schuh said Sunday evening that Watson has been hospitalized since Friday afternoon in St. Louis. She said he started to feel ill while campaigning for GOP Senate candidate Ken Burzynski of Benton.

Watson represents the state’s 51st district in the southern Illinois city of Greenville. Schuh says doctors consider the stroke “very minor” and Watson is expected to make a full recovery. She said the 63-year-old senator remained in the St. Louis hospital on Sunday evening and was undergoing assessments.

*** UPDATE *** From Lee Newspapers…

Watson had been on the campaign trail Friday with 59th Senate District candidate Ken Burzynski, R-Benton, when he began noticing something was wrong, Burzynski said Monday.

‘’We were just down here working together, visiting folks, knocking on doors, things like that,'’ Burzynski said. ‘’We could tell something wasn’t just right, so he had it checked out. He didn’t fall or anything.'’

State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, tried to check in on Watson at the hospital Sunday night, but scuttled the visit when he learned Watson was sleeping.

Luechtefeld said Watson is talking, but his speech is slower and ‘’kind of hesitant.'’

‘’There’s no doubt he’s had some effects,'’ Luechtefeld said. […]

It is not clear how long Watson will be hospitalized.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Just how bad is it?

Senator Dave Luechtefeld, a member of the Senate Republican leadership, has visited Watson in the hospital and says he is in good spirits. Luechtefeld says Watson may not be back at the Capitol in time for Veto Session, which is scheduled to start November 12.