EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

          We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this
Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated March 29, 2000, relating
to the financial statements which appear in American Country Holding Inc.'s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999. We also consent
to the incorporation by reference of our report dated March 29, 2000 relating to
the financial statement schedules, which appears in such Annual Report on Form
10-K. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such
Registration Statement.


/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
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PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chicago, Illinois

January 26, 2001