“Preserving wetlands along the Illinois River is essential to restoring wildlife habitats in the Illinois River Valley and will conserve resources along the River,” stated Rep. LaHood. “As a father of three boys who enjoy the outdoors, this is welcome news for our community. The investment will support economies across Illinois’ 18th Congressional District and I applaud the effort by both the Department of the Interior and private organizations in our community. This will ensure the Illinois River remains a habitable environment for wildlife and can be enjoyed by future generations for years to come.”