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CHICAGO, ILL. (AP) -- Illinois will get more than $15 million in stimulus grants and loans for water system improvement projects.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the idea is to create jobs and protect public health by improving water quality and public sanitation services.

Twenty states will get money approved through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

In Illinois, Lawrenceville will get about a $6 million loan.

The small community of Roodhouse - about 60 miles southwest of Springfield - will get about a $5.5 million loan.

The Fayette Water Company's Herrick location will get a $1.1 million loan and a grant for the same amount.

It's Laclede location will get a $1 million loan and nearly $1 million in grant money.

(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)