By IL Public Radio
Springfield, IL – BUDGET DELAYS AND CONSTRUCTION SETBACKS HAVE POSTPONED THE OPENING OF THE S-I-U SCHOOL OF MEDICINE CANCER INSTITUTE.
THE RIBBON-CUTTING FOR THE $22.5 MILLION SIMMONS-COOPER CANCER INSTITUTE WILL GO ON AS PLANNED THIS WEEK.
IT WAS SCHEDULED TO OPEN JULY FIRST. BUT THE FINAL $895,000 NEEDED TO HEAT, COOL, AND LIGHT THE BUILDING IS STILL AWAITING APPROVAL FROM THE LEGISLATURE.
S-I-U SPOKESMAN DAVID GROSS SAYS HE DOUBTS LEGISLATORS WILL DISCUSS FUNDING DURING THEIR SPECIAL SESSION THIS WEEK.
GROSS SAYS CONSTRUCTION ALSO RAN A FEW MONTHS BEHIND SCHEDULE. HE ESTIMATES THE INSTITUTE WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE PATIENTS BY THE FALL.