Nicor Declares Dividend

    Business Editors

    NAPERVILLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 2005--The Board of Directors of Nicor Inc. (NYSE:GAS) declared a quarterly common stock dividend of 46.5 cents per share, payable May 1, 2005, to stockholders of record on March 31, 2005. This payment continues the annual rate of $1.86 per share established with the May 1, 2003 dividend. With this declaration, Nicor begins its 52nd consecutive year of common stock dividend payments.
    Nicor Inc. (NYSE:GAS) is a holding company and is a member of the S&P 500. Its principal businesses are Nicor Gas, one of the nation's largest natural gas distribution companies, and Tropical Shipping, a containerized shipping business serving the Caribbean region and the Bahamas. Nicor also owns and has an equity interest in several energy-related businesses. For more information, visit the Nicor Web site at www.nicor.com.

    Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

    This document includes certain forward-looking statements about the expectations of Nicor and its subsidiaries and affiliates. Although Nicor believes these statements are based on reasonable assumptions, actual results may vary materially from stated expectations. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "intend," "may," "planned," "potential," "should," "will," "would," "project," "estimate," or similar phrases. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the company's forward-looking statements due to the direct or indirect effects of legal contingencies (including litigation) and the resolution of those issues, including the effects of an ICC review and SEC and U.S. Attorney inquiries, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Other factors that could cause materially different results include, but are not limited to, weather conditions; natural gas and other fuel prices; fair value accounting adjustments; inventory valuation; health care costs; insurance costs or recoveries; legal costs; borrowing needs; interest rates; credit conditions; economic and market conditions; tourism and construction in the Bahamas and Caribbean region; energy conservation; legislative and regulatory actions; tax rulings or audit results; asset sales; significant unplanned capital needs; future mercury-related charges or credits; changes in accounting principles, interpretations, methods, judgments or estimates; performance of major suppliers and contractors; labor relations; and acts of terrorism.
    Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this filing. Nicor undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revision to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this filing.

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CONTACT: Nicor Inc. Mark Knox, re: N-932, 630-305-9500, ext. 2529

KEYWORD: ILLINOIS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OIL/GAS ENERGY UTILITIES DIVIDEND SOURCE: Nicor Inc.

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