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ITW Board Approves 25 Percent Dividend Increase

7 August 1998

ITW Board Approves 25 Percent Dividend Increase

    GLENVIEW, Ill., Aug. 7 -- The board of directors of Illinois
Tool Works Inc., at their meeting today, declared a regular quarterly cash
dividend of 15 cents per share or 60 cents per share on an annual basis.  This
quarterly increase of 3 cents per share -- 12 cents per share annually --
represents a 25 percent increase over the current annual rate.  The increased
dividend will be paid on October 23, 1998 to stockholders of record September
30, 1998.
    ITW is a multinational manufacturer of highly engineered components and
industrial systems.  The company has 365 operations in 34 countries and
approximately 25,700 employees.