Contact: Joan Messina (217) 403-6248

Rob Maschhoff (217) 243-1535 x 6

**GROUND BROKEN FOR CASS COUNTY WATER PROJECT**

VIRGINIA, Ill., May 29, 2007---Congressman Ray LaHood joined federal,
state and local officials north of Virginia today for the long awaited
groundbreaking of Cass Rural Water District No. 1's distribution system.
More than ten years in the making, the water system promises to be the
start of integrated rural water service for all of central and eastern
Cass County.

"One of my top priorities is to help rural areas get funding for
infrastructure improvements and economic development," said Congressman
LaHood. "I'm really proud to have been a part of this county-wide effort
to lay the groundwork for the future of Cass County."

LaHood and Carol Merna, his district deputy chief of staff, worked with
community representatives from throughout the county to develop a
workable plan and secure financing. Last year LaHood announced a
\$1,335,800 grant and \$468,000 low-interest loan from the United States
Department of Agriculture Rural Development for the initial construction
of the water system.

Illinois Rural Development Director Doug Wilson commended District
Chairman Jeff Cosner, his board members and the many community
representatives for their perseverance and foresight in developing a
regional water system. "Regional projects require much more time and
effort, but the payoff is well worth it," said Wilson. "Because of what
you've developed, people for generations to come will be able to enjoy
the richness of rural living here with a vital economy supported by
plenty of safe water."

Wilson presented "Champion of Rural Water" awards to LaHood and Merna
for their extensive efforts to help rural communities acquire water and
sewer systems. In the last three years, LaHood and his office have
brought \$20 million in funding to his district for rural water.

LaHood helped secure a State and Tribal Assistance Grant of \$750,000
for the new Virginia water treatment plant that will be needed to
service the potential water needs of Virginia, the District, Ashland,
Chandlerville, Arenzville Rural Water Co-op and Pleasant Plains.

Other financing for Phase I came from a State of Illinois \$400,000
Community Development Block Grant, \$119,200 from the Village of
Ashland, and \$46,000 in connection fees from future users in the
District.

-more-

The District's plan for Phase I includes water service for 92 households
between Virginia and Ashland and the residents of Ashland. Rural
residents currently get their water from individual wells. Ashland's
water supply comes from two surface lakes that don't have the capacity
to adequately serve the village during dry weather.

County and local officials including County Board Chairman Dave Parish,
Virginia Mayor Steve Sudbrink, Ashland Village President Dave Handy, and
Chandlerville Village President Tim Richard were acknowledged for their
contributions to the project. The engineering firm Farnsworth Group, the
District's attorney George McClure of Beardstown, and Specialist Rob
Mashhoff from the Rural Development office in Jacksonville also were
recognized for helping develop the project.

The groundbreaking marked the beginning of construction on 23 miles of
water main in Philadelphia Township and four surrounding townships and a
75,000 gallon elevated water storage tank. Once the system is completed,
it will connect to the water system in Virginia, the wholesale water
supplier for the Cass County Rural Water District.

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Caption: The groundbreaking for the Cass Rural Water District No. 1
marks the start of construction on an integrated water system to serve
central and eastern Cass County. Tossing the first shovels of dirt are
Cass County Chairman David Parish, Ashland Village President David
Handy, Water District Board Member Wayne Nelson, Illinois USDA Rural
Development Director Doug Wilson, Congressman Ray LaHood, Water District
Chairman Jeff Cosner, Water District Board Member Jeff DeGeal, County
Extension Director Jack Liddick, Water District Board Members Alan
Gardner and Harry Blakeman, Virginia Mayor Steve Sudbrink, and
Chandlerville Village President Tim Richard.