By Illinois Public Radio
Springfield, Ill. – Illinois' former U.S. Senator Paul Simon might need heart surgery this week. He's in Springfield to undergo tests.
Mike Lawrence, of the Public Policy Institute in Carbondale that Simon now directs, says the former Senator has had symptoms that suggest a possible heart valve problem. Those symptoms include shortness of breath.
"There is a definite possibility that he will need to have a repair or possibly a replacement, but that's not a given at this point," Lawrence said.
If such a repair or replacement is needed, Lawrence says the surgery would likely take place this week.
Simon turned 75 just last week. He had bypass surgery three years ago.