NAPERVILLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 2007--Nicor employees and their families will fulfill the company's commitment to volunteerism as part of the 11th Annual Volunteer Day on May 19th. Assisted by community members, hundreds of employees will serve 19 communities by completing 26 projects, ranging from sorting food at local pantries to cleaning yards and providing energy efficient kits to senior citizens' homes.

"Nicor's Volunteer Day embodies the spirit of giving back to the communities we serve," said Russ Strobel, Chairman, President and CEO for Nicor Inc. and Nicor Gas. "Now in our 11th year, Nicor's Volunteer Corps is again assisting on a number of Volunteer Day projects throughout northern Illinois. Volunteerism is an integral part of Nicor's corporate culture; our employees are connected to their communities and committed to doing their part in making our world a better place for everyone."

This year, Nicor will highlight energy efficiency through a special Volunteer Day project to benefit United Cerebral Palsy of Will County. In addition to landscaping and beautifying the organization's headquarters and two group homes in Joliet, Nicor Services employees will conduct appliance safety inspections. A $6,000 grant will be donated by Nicor to United Cerebral Palsy of Will County on Volunteer Day to fund energy "make-overs" allowing these buildings to become more energy efficient and cost-effective.

Samuel Mancuso, President and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy of Will County, said, "This grant will help United Cerebral Palsy continue to provide support and direct services to individuals and families impacted by the challenges of developmental disabilities. Our organization focuses not only on direct services but education; we are
thrilled to have Nicor come out and teach us more about energy efficiency."

In addition to the energy efficiency projects at the United Cerebral Palsy buildings, Nicor will be distributing efficiency kits to 35 senior homes in Wilmington and 6 senior group homes in Bloomington. The kits include items like water heater insulation covers, water faucet aerators, long-lasting light bulbs, and information about how to maintain an energy efficient home.

Volunteer Day at Nicor is an annual celebration of the company's year-round commitment to communities. The company contributed more than $1.7 million to philanthropic efforts throughout Northern Illinois in 2006, and Nicor employees contributed financially, but also donated their time to numerous worthy causes throughout the year.

Pay-It-Forward House in Sycamore, for example, relies heavily on volunteer support to run its day-to-day operations. The non-profit hospital hospitality house opened in March 2004 and provides serene, homelike lodging for family and friends of patients at Kindred Hospital.

Executive Director Mary Lou Eubanks said, "Volunteer time and support is critical to running our House. Nicor's Volunteer Day is an incredible gift to our facility and it speaks volumes about the dedication and generosity Nicor and its employees have for the community," said Eubanks.

Nicor's 11th Annual Volunteer Day will span 26 sites in 19 different communities across Illinois (starting early, on May 5th, was Carthage with a revamp of The World of Wonder Park).

-- Nicor Volunteers will sort food at local pantries in Aurora, Capron, DeKalb, Rockford, and Woodridge.

-- Outdoor cleanup will take place at senior citizen homes in Bloomington and Phoenix, two community service sites in Woodstock, one of the Aurora Centennial House/Housing Authority buildings, as well as the Pay It Forward House in Sycamore.

-- Volunteers will beautify the landscape by removing buckthorn and honeysuckle at the Brookfield Zoo.

-- Local waterways will also benefit as volunteers perform cleanup along the Fox River in Batavia and Aurora, as well as at Lake Katherine in Palos Heights.

-- As energy efficiency has never been more important: efficiency kits will be given to senior citizen homes in Bloomington and Wilmington as well as two United Cerebral Palsy of Will County group homes in Joliet. Volunteers will also do some landscaping and painting at the United Cerebral Palsy Headquarters.

-- The Northwest Suburban United Way in Mount Prospect will receive a new coat of interior paint.

-- Gardening and landscaping will bring a new light to several sites in Naperville at the DuPage Children's Museum and the Conservation Foundation's McDonald Farm.

-- In Bellwood, volunteers will beautify the interior and exterior of two sites run by Aspire, an immediate care facility for individuals with disabilities.

-- Nicor Volunteers will perform outdoor repair work and park cleanup at Coal City's Lions Hall.

Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) is a holding company and is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. Its primary business is Nicor Gas, one of the nation's largest natural gas distribution companies. Nicor owns Tropical Shipping, a containerized shipping business serving the Caribbean region and the Bahamas. In addition, the company owns and has an equity interest in several energy-related businesses. For more information, visit the Nicor Web site at www.nicor.com.

Nicor Gas is one of the nation's largest gas distribution companies. Owned by Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) a holding company, Nicor Gas has provided safe and reliable natural gas services for more than 50 years. The Company serves more than 2.1 million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit the Nicor Web site at www.nicorgas.com.

Copyright Business Wire 2007

NICOR Inc.

NICOR Inc.

Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) is a holding company and is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. Its primary business is Nicor Gas, one of the nation's largest natural gas distribution companies. Nicor owns Tropical Shipping, a containerized shipping business serving the Caribbean region and the Bahamas. In addition, the company owns and has an equity interest in several energy-related businesses.

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