By AP
Springfield, IL – Although a ribbon-cutting this week will mark the opening of the SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, it will be awhile before the facility accepts patients.
The Springfield facility won't begin serving patients until late fall or early next year because $895,000 needed to heat, cool, light and maintain the institute was cut from the state budget proposed for fiscal 2009.
University Spokesman David Gross says the money was slashed by the Democratic-controlled house in May, apparently because they were sponsored by Republicans.
Gross says since the action, staff members from the Democratic caucuses in the House and Senate have given assurances the money probably will be approved in a supplemental appropriation during the veto session this fall.
