---

ITW Board Approves 20 Percent Dividend Increase

9 August 1999

ITW Board Approves 20 Percent Dividend Increase

    GLENVIEW, Ill., Aug. 6 -- The board of directors of Illinois
Tool Works Inc. , at their meeting today, declared a regular
quarterly cash dividend of 18 cents per share or 72 cents per share on an
annual basis.  This quarterly increase of 3 cents per share -- 12 cents per
share annually -- represents a 20 percent increase over the current dividend
rate.  The increased dividend will be paid on October 23, 1999 to stockholders
of record September 30, 1999.
    ITW is $5.6 billion diversified manufacturer of highly engineered
components and industrial systems.  The company consists of more than 400
decentralized operations in 36 countries and employs approximately 29,000
people.