<PAGE>

                                                                     Exhibit 4.1


NUMBER                                                                    SHARES
                            APROPOS TECHNOLOGY, INC.
                                     [LOGO]
__________                                                            __________

              INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS

COMMON SHARES                                                      COMMON SHARES
$0.01 PAR VALUE                                                  $0.01 PAR VALUE


                                         CUSIP 038334 10 8

                                SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS


This Certifies that


is the owner of

                   COMMON SHARES OF APROPOS TECHNOLOGY, INC.
(hereinafter called the "Corporation"), transferable on the books of the
Corporation in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this
Certificate properly endorsed.  This certificate is not valid unless
countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.
     In Witness Whereof, the Corporation has caused this Certificate to be
signed by its duly authorized officers.

     Dated:

/s/ Michael J. Profita                       /s/ Kevin G. Kerns
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER,                     CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE,                     AND PRESIDENT
TREASURER AND SECRETARY

Countersigned and Registered:

HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK
Transfer Agent and Registrar


By:____________________________
      Authorized Signature
<PAGE>

                            APROPOS TECHNOLOGY, INC.

THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH SHAREHOLDER WHO SO REQUESTS
A STATEMENT OF ALL OF THE DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES, QUALIFICATIONS,
LIMITATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, AND SPECIAL OR RELATIVE RIGHTS OF THE SHARES OF EACH
CLASS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED AND THE VARIATIONS IN THE RELATIVE RIGHTS AND
PREFERENCES BETWEEN THE SHARES OF EACH SUCH SERIES, SO FAR AS THE SAME HAVE BEEN
FIXED AND DETERMINED, AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO FIX AND
DETERMINE THE RELATIVE RIGHTS AND PREFERENCES OF SUBSEQUENT SERIES.

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this
certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations.

<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                               <C>
TEN COM -- as tenants in common              UNIF TRANSFER MIN ACT - _____ Cust _____
TEN ENT -- as tenants by the entireties                           (Custodian) (Minor)
JT TEN  -- as joint tenants with right of               under Uniform Gifts to Minors
           survivorship and not as tenants              Act ________________________
           in common                                               (State)
</TABLE>

     Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

     For Value Received, ____________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer
unto

TAXPAYER IDENTIFYING NUMBER
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE - NAME AND ADDRESS OF ASSIGNEE)

______________________________________________________________________SHARES

TAXPAYER IDENTIFYING NUMBER
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE - NAME AND ADDRESS OF ASSIGNEE)

______________________________________________________________________SHARES
of the common shares represented by the within Certificate and do hereby
irrevocably constitute and appoint ________________________________ Attorney to
transfer the said shares on the books of the within named Corporation with full
power of substitution in the premises.
<PAGE>

Dated _______________, 20__

                                             ___________________________
                                             Signature(s)

IMPORTANT
BEFORE SIGNING, READ AND COMPLY CAREFULLY WITH REQUIREMENTS PRINTED BELOW

     THE SIGNATURE(S) TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME(S) AS
WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION
OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.  THE SIGNATURE MUST BE GUARANTEED BY A
COMMERCIAL BANK OR TRUST COMPANY, OR BY A NEW YORK OR MIDWEST STOCK EXCHANGE
MEMBER OR FIRM, WHOSE SIGNATURE IS KNOWN TO THE TRANSFER OFFICE.

Signature(s) Guaranteed

     IMPORTANT
A NOTARY SEAL IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.  THE
SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED
BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION
SUCH AS A COMMERICAL BANK, TRUST
COMPANY, SAVINGS AND LOAN, CREDIT
UNION OR BROKER WITH MEMBERSHIP IN
AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO
S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15.

                                             ___________________________________
                                             Medallion Signature(s) Guarantee