2005 Philanthropy Guide www.thebusinessledger.com 630-571-8911

Nicor is privileged to serve more than2 million customers in northern Illinois,and we consider giving back to thecommunity a strong part of our respon-sibility to our customers. It’s why we’vebeen a major contributor to United Wayfor our entire 51-year history andwhy we encourage our employees toembrace volunteerism.

This year, we were honored to receivethe West Suburban PhilanthropicNetwork’s “Corporate PhilanthropicAward” in recognition of our commit-ment to philanthropy and volunteerism.Among the highlights of our programs:• Nicor once again had the largest

walk team at the Naperville site ofWalkAmerica on April 24. More than250 walkers raised funds for theMarch of Dimes’ fight against birthdefects. Pledges collected by employees,along with matching dollars fromNicor, totaled more than $35,000.

• Nearly 900 volunteers spread outacross northern Illinois on May 21 tocomplete 18 projects in 15 communitiesas part of our annual Volunteer Day.Projects ranged from river and out-door cleanup to painting and foodsorting. Employees who participatedalso received a $100 grant to benefitthe non-profit agency of their choice.

• For those employees who invest theirpersonal time to support non-profitorganizations, Nicor is pleased tooffer a $500 Volunteers in PartnershipGrant to benefit that organization.

• To keep employee volunteerismgoing strong throughout the year,Nicor is proud to serve as thefounding corporate sponsor ofchicagovolunteer.net, a Web site thatconnects citizens with more than3,000 volunteer opportunities acrossthe Chicago metro area.

Julian BrownCorporate ContributionsManager, Nicor Gas

For more than fivedecades Nicor Gashas been steadfast inits support of thec o m m u n i t y .

Managed by Julian Brown, the Nicorprogram not only has contributed morethan $1.8 million to support specificorganizations in northern Illinois, butNicor employees have joined withcommunity members to donate time,talent and money to 825 worthy causes,further growing the company’sexemplary philanthropic mission andcommitment to volunteer efforts. Brownis a graduate of both Bradley andBenedictine universities and also serveson the boards of the Leadership Councilfor Metropolitan Open Communitiesand Illinois Dollar for Scholars.

• Michele Ambroz, West SuburbanPhilanthropic Network

• Meredith Hilt, The TellabsFoundation

• Darrell Jackson, Northern Trust Co.• Ray Kinney, MinuteMan Press

in Naperville• Michael Perez, Visionary Committee,

Academy for Non Profit Excellence,College of DuPage

• Pam Tulley, United Way ofMetropolitan Chicago

• Judy Wagner, The PhilanthropyCenter, College of DuPage

• Jennifer Jones Wilk, Giving DuPage• Stasia Zwisler, The Giving Trust

Ten people you shouldknow in philanthropy

Building a Better Community

Last year Nicor not only contributed more than $1.8 million to support specific organizations in northernIllinois, but their employees joined with community members to donate time, talent and money to 825 worthycauses, further growing the company’s philanthropic mission and commitment to volunteer efforts.

B U I L D I N G A B E T T E R C O M M U N I T Y

Investing in our communities through volunteerism

At Nicor, we understand the important role volunteers play inbuilding better communities, and we’re proud to have a thrivingand active group of employee volunteers who take to heart the importance of giving both their time and money to help others.

To learn more about our philanthropic efforts, visit nicor.com or call Julian Brown at 630 388-2763.

A message from Nicor:In our 2003 Community Issues and Priorities Survey, you told us that you want to know more about how Nicorsupports philanthropic efforts in the communities we serve across northern Illinois.

Our last mailing included a recap of our 2004 giving, and now we are pleased to share with you a reprintfrom The Business Ledger, where Nicor’s 2005 volunteer efforts to date were included as part of their annualPhilanthropy Guide.

If you would like more information on Nicor’s philanthropic involvement in your community, please contactJulian Brown at 630 388-2763.

See reverse for The Business Ledger reprint on Nicor’s involvement in your community.