ITW Reports a 24 Percent Decrease in Operating Revenues for Three Months

Ended July 31, 2009; Base Revenues Show Modest Improvement From Prior Three Month Period

GLENVIEW, Ill., Aug. 17 -- Illinois Tool Works Inc. today reported an operating revenue decrease of 24 percent for the three months ended July 31, 2009. The revenue decline for the three months consisted of a 21 percent decrease in base revenues and an 8 percent decline in contributions from currency translation. Acquisitions contributed 5 percent to revenues in the three month period. For the most recent three month period, base revenues modestly improved versus the 2009 second quarter largely as a result of improving end market activity for businesses in the transportation, polymers & fluids and construction segments.

On a segment basis, the Company's three month moving average percentage change for operating revenues, comprised of base revenues, acquisitions/divestitures and currency translation, is provided below.

        (% change for 3 months ended July 31, 2009 versus prior year period)

        *Industrial Packaging:          -  34.1 %
        *Power Systems and Electronics: -  39.4 %
        *Transportation:                -  16.4 %
        *Food Equipment:                -  14.2 %
        *Construction Products:         -  31.9 %
        *Polymers and Fluids:           -   3.6 %
        *Decorative Surfaces:           -  22.8 %
        *All Other:                     -  17.2 %

The Company is forecasting third quarter 2009 diluted income per share from continuing operations to be in a range of $0.39 to $0.51. The third quarter forecast assumes a total revenue range of -2 percent to +4 percent versus the 2009 second quarter.

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitations, statements regarding operating revenues, diluted income per share from continuing operations and the Company's related forecasts. These statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are set forth in ITW's Form 10-K for 2008.

With $17.1 billion in revenues, ITW is a multinational manufacturer of a diversified range of value-adding and short lead-time industrial products and equipment. The Company consists of 895 business units in 54 countries and employs some 59,000 people.