Nicor Inc.
                                                                  Form 10-Q
                                                                  Exhibit 10.3


                                                                  Execution Copy


                                     5 YEAR

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                   DATED AS OF

                               SEPTEMBER 13, 2005

                                      AMONG

                         NORTHERN ILLINOIS GAS COMPANY,

                                       and

                                   NICOR INC.

                                  as Borrowers,

                    THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PARTY HERETO,

                                   as Lenders,

                            JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
                            as Administrative Agent,

                               WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.
                              as Syndication Agent

                                       and

     ABN AMRO BANK N.V., THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, LTD., CHICAGO BRANCH
                          and THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
                             as Documentation Agents


         J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC. and WACHOVIA CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
                    as Joint Lead-Arrangers and Bookrunners



<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

             (This Table of Contents is not part of the Agreement)


                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----

SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS; INTERPRETATION.......................................1

  Section 1.1   Definitions...................................................1
  Section 1.2   Interpretation...............................................12

SECTION 2.  THE CREDITS......................................................13

  Section 2.1   The Revolving Loan Commitment................................13
  Section 2.2   Applicable Interest Rates....................................13
  Section 2.3   Minimum Borrowing Amounts....................................15
  Section 2.4   Manner of Borrowing Loans and Designating Interest Rates
                Applicable to Loans..........................................15
  Section 2.5   Interest Periods.............................................17
  Section 2.6   Maturity of Loans............................................18
  Section 2.7   Prepayments..................................................18
  Section 2.8   Default Rate.................................................18
  Section 2.9   Evidence of Debt.............................................19
  Section 2.10  Funding Indemnity............................................20
  Section 2.11  Commitments..................................................20
  Section 2.12  Increase in the Aggregate Commitments........................21

SECTION 3.  FEES AND EXTENSIONS..............................................22

  Section 3.1   Fees.........................................................22
  Section 3.2   Extensions...................................................23

SECTION 4.  PLACE AND APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS................................24

SECTION 5.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES...................................25

  Section 5.1   Corporate Organization and Authority.........................25
  Section 5.2   Subsidiaries.................................................25
  Section 5.3   Corporate Authority and Validity of Obligations..............25
  Section 5.4   Financial Statements.........................................26
  Section 5.5   No Litigation; No Labor Controversies........................26
  Section 5.6   Taxes........................................................26
  Section 5.7   Approvals....................................................26
  Section 5.8   ERISA........................................................26
  Section 5.9   Government Regulation........................................27
  Section 5.10  Margin Stock; Use of Proceeds................................27


<PAGE>


  Section 5.11  Environmental Warranties.....................................27
  Section 5.12  Ownership of Property; Liens.................................28
  Section 5.13  Compliance with Agreements...................................28
  Section 5.14  Full Disclosure..............................................28
  Section 5.15  Solvency.....................................................29

SECTION 6.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.............................................29

  Section 6.1   Initial Borrowing............................................29
  Section 6.2   All Borrowings...............................................30

SECTION 7.  COVENANTS........................................................30

  Section 7.1   Corporate Existence; Material Subsidiaries...................30
  Section 7.2   Maintenance..................................................31
  Section 7.3   Taxes........................................................31
  Section 7.4   ERISA........................................................31
  Section 7.5   Insurance....................................................31
  Section 7.6   Financial Reports and Other Information......................31
  Section 7.7   Lender Inspection Rights.....................................33
  Section 7.8   Conduct of Business..........................................33
  Section 7.9   Liens........................................................33
  Section 7.10  Use of Proceeds; Regulation U................................35
  Section 7.11  Mergers, Consolidations and Sales of Assets..................35
  Section 7.12  Environmental Matters........................................35
  Section 7.13  Investments, Acquisitions, Loans, Advances and Guaranties....36
  Section 7.14  Restrictions on Indebtedness.................................37
  Section 7.15  Leverage Ratio...............................................38
  Section 7.16  [Intentionally Omitted]......................................38
  Section 7.17  Dividends and Other Shareholder Distributions................38
  Section 7.18  No Negative Pledges..........................................38
  Section 7.19  Transactions with Affiliates.................................38
  Section 7.20  Compliance with Laws.........................................38
  Section 7.21  Derivative Obligation........................................39
  Section 7.22  Sales and Leasebacks.........................................39
  Section 7.23  OFAC; BSA....................................................39

SECTION 8.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES...................................39

  Section 8.1   Events of Default............................................39
  Section 8.2   Non-Bankruptcy Defaults......................................41
  Section 8.3   Bankruptcy Defaults..........................................41

SECTION 9.  CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES; TAXES...................................41

  Section 9.1   Change of Law................................................41
  Section 9.2   Unavailability of Deposits or Inability to Ascertain, or
                Inadequacy of, LIBOR.........................................42
  Section 9.3   Increased Costs..............................................42


                                       ii


<PAGE>


  Section 9.4   Taxes........................................................43
  Section 9.5   Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders...............46
  Section 9.6   Discretion of Lender as to Manner of Funding.................46

SECTION 10.  THE AGENT.......................................................47

  Section 10.1  Appointment and Authority....................................47
  Section 10.2  Rights as a Lender...........................................47
  Section 10.3  Exculpatory Provisions.......................................47
  Section 10.4  Reliance by Administrative Agent.............................48
  Section 10.5  Delegation of Duties.........................................48
  Section 10.6  Resignation of Administrative Agent..........................49
  Section 10.7  Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.......49
  Section 10.8  No Other Duties, etc.........................................49

SECTION 11.  MISCELLANEOUS...................................................50

  Section 11.1  No Waiver of Rights..........................................50
  Section 11.2  Non-Business Day.............................................50
  Section 11.3  Survival of Representations..................................50
  Section 11.4  Survival of Indemnities......................................50
  Section 11.5  Set-Off; Sharing of Payments.................................50
  Section 11.6  Notices......................................................51
  Section 11.7  Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic
                Execution....................................................52
  Section 11.8  Successors and Assigns.......................................53
  Section 11.9  Amendments...................................................56
  Section 11.10 Headings.....................................................57
  Section 11.11 Expenses; Indemnity; Waiver..................................57
  Section 11.12 Entire Agreement.............................................58
  Section 11.13 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.............................58
  Section 11.14 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.........................................59
  Section 11.15 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality............59
  Section 11.16 Patriot Act..................................................60


EXHIBITS

     A     -      Form of Note
     B     -      Form of Compliance Certificate
     C     -      Assignment and Assumption
     D     -      Notice of Borrowing

SCHEDULES

     SCHEDULE 1        Pricing Grid
     SCHEDULE 2        Commitments
     SCHEDULE 4        Administrative Agent Notice and Payment Info


                                       iii


<PAGE>


     SCHEDULE 5.2      Schedule of Existing Subsidiaries
     SCHEDULE 7.13     Permitted Investments
     SCHEDULE 7.17     Restrictions on Distributions and Existing
                       Negative Pledges


                                       iv

<PAGE>

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

      CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of September 13, 2005 among Northern Illinois
Gas Company, an Illinois corporation ("Nicor Gas"), Nicor Inc., an Illinois
corporation ("Nicor"; Nicor Gas and Nicor are each referred to herein as a
"Borrower" and collectively as the "Borrowers"), the financial institutions from
time to time party hereto (each a "Lender," and collectively the "Lenders"), and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in its capacity as agent for the Lenders hereunder (in
such capacity, the "Administrative Agent").

                                WITNESSETH THAT:

      WHEREAS, the Borrowers desire to obtain the several commitments of the
Lenders to make available a revolving credit facility for loans as described
herein; and

      WHEREAS, the Lenders are willing to extend such commitments subject to all
of the terms and conditions hereof and on the basis of the representations and
warranties hereinafter set forth.

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the recitals set forth above and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1.   DEFINITIONS; INTERPRETATION.

      Section 1.1   Definitions. The following terms when used herein have the
following meanings:

      "Adjusted LIBOR" is defined in Section 2.2(b) hereof.

      "Administrative Agent" is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement
and includes any successor Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10.6 hereof.

      "Administrative Questionnaire" means an administrative questionnaire in a
form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

      "Affiliate" means, as to any Person, any other Person which directly or
indirectly controls, or is under common control with, or is controlled by, such
Person. As used in this definition, "control" (including, with their correlative
meanings, "controlled by" and "under common control with") means possession,
directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management
or policies of a Person (whether through ownership of securities or partnership
or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise).

      "Agreement" means this Credit Agreement, including all Exhibits and
Schedules hereto, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

<PAGE>

      "Applicable Margin" shall be determined for each Borrower and means, at
any time with respect to Loans to a Borrower, (i) with respect to Base Rate
Loans, the Base Rate Margin applicable to such Borrower and (ii) with respect to
Eurodollar Loans, the Eurodollar Margin applicable to such Borrower.

      "Applicable Repayment Date" means, with respect to each Loan made
hereunder, the earlier of (i) date occurring one year from the date the initial
Borrowing of such Loan was advanced, and (ii) the Termination Date.

       "Applicable Telerate Page" is defined in Section 2.2(b) hereof.

      "Approved Fund" means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a
Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an
entity that administers or manages a Lender.

      "Assignment and Assumption" means an assignment and assumption entered
into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose
consent is required by Section 11.8(b)), and accepted by the Administrative
Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit C or any other form approved by the
Administrative Agent.

      "Authorized Representative" means, which respect to each Borrower, those
persons whose specimen signature is included in the incumbency certificate
provided by such Borrower pursuant to Section 6.1(c) hereof, or any further or
different officer of such Borrower so named by any Authorized Representative of
such Borrower in a written notice to the Administrative Agent.

      "Base Rate" is defined in Section 2.2(a) hereof.

      "Base Rate Loan" means a Loan bearing interest prior to maturity at a rate
specified in Section 2.2(a) hereof.

      "Base Rate Margin" means the percentage set forth in Schedule 1 hereto
beside the then applicable Level for such Borrower, it being understood the
Borrowers may be in different Levels based upon the S&P Rating and/or Moody's
Rating then assigned to such Borrower. Consequently, a Borrower may have a
different Base Rate Margin applicable to the Base Rate Loans of such Borrower
than the Base Rate Margin then applicable to the Base Rate Loans of the other
Borrower.

      "Borrower" and "Borrowers" are defined in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.

      "Borrowing" means the total of Loans of a single type advanced, continued
for an additional Interest Period, or converted from a different type into such
type by the Lenders on a single date and in the case of Eurodollar Loans for a
single Interest Period. Borrowings of Loans are made by and maintained ratably
for each of the Lenders according to their Percentages. A Borrowing is
"advanced" on the day Lenders advance funds comprising such Borrowing to a
Borrower, is "continued" on the date a new Interest Period for the same type of
Loans commences for such Borrowing and is "converted" when such Borrowing is
changed from one type of Loan to the other, all as requested by a Borrower
pursuant to Section 2.4(a).


                                        2

<PAGE>

      "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday on which
Lenders are not authorized or required to close in New York, New York or
Chicago, Illinois and, if the applicable Business Day relates to the borrowing
or payment of a Eurodollar Loan, on which banks are dealing in U.S. Dollars in
the interbank market in London, England.

      "Capital" means, as of any date of determination thereof, without
duplication, the sum of (A) Consolidated Net Worth plus (B) Consolidated
Indebtedness.

      "Capital Lease" means at any date any lease of Property which, in
accordance with GAAP, would be required to be capitalized on the balance sheet
of the lessee.

      "Capitalized Lease Obligations" means, for any Person, the amount of such
Person's liabilities under Capital Leases determined at any date in accordance
with GAAP.

      "CERCLA" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980, as amended from time to time.

      "CERCLIS" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation
Liability Information System List, as amended from time to time.

      "Change in Law" means the occurrence, after the Closing Date, of any of
the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or
treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the
administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental
Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any guideline or directive (whether
or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority.

      "Change of Control Event" means one or more of the following events:

         (a)   less than a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of
      a Borrower shall be persons who either (i) were serving as directors on
      the Closing Date or (ii) were nominated as directors and approved by the
      vote of the majority of the directors who are directors referred to in
      clause (i) above or this clause (ii); or

         (b)   the stockholders of a Borrower shall approve any plan or proposal
      for the liquidation or dissolution of a Borrower; or

         (c)   a Person or group of Persons acting in concert (other than the
      direct or indirect beneficial owners of the Voting Stock of a Borrower as
      of the Closing Date) shall, as a result of a tender or exchange offer,
      open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases or otherwise, have
      become the direct or indirect beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule
      13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to
      time) of Voting Stock of a Borrower representing more than twenty percent
      (20%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock or
      other ownership interests for the election of directors or shall have the
      right to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of a Borrower; or

         (d)   Except as permitted by Section 7.11, Nicor ceases at any time to
      own one hundred percent (100%) of the Voting Stock and other equity
      interest of Nicor Gas.


                                        3

<PAGE>

      "Closing Date" means September 13, 2005.

      "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

      "Commitment" and "Commitments" are defined in Section 2.1 hereof.

      "Compliance Certificate" means a certificate in the form of Exhibit B
hereto.

      "Consolidated Assets" means all assets which should be listed on the
consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, as determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

      "Consolidated Indebtedness" means, for any Person, all Indebtedness of a
Person determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

      "Consolidated Net Worth" means for any Person, as of any time the same
is to be determined, the total shareholders' equity (including both common and
preferred) reflected on the balance sheet of such Person after deducting
treasury stock determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

      "Contractual Obligation" means, as to any Person, any provision of any
security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or undertaking to
which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its Property is bound.

      "Controlled Group" means all members of a controlled group of corporations
and all members of a controlled group of trades or businesses (whether or not
incorporated) under common control which, together with Nicor, are treated as a
single employer under Section 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code or Section 4001 of
ERISA.

      "Credit Documents" means this Agreement, the Notes, the Fee Letters and
all other documents executed in connection herewith or therewith.

      "Default" means any event or condition described in Section 8.1 the
occurrence of which would, with the passage of time or the giving of notice, or
both, constitute an Event of Default.

      "Derivative Arrangement" means any agreement (including any master
agreement and any agreement, whether or not in writing, relating to any single
transaction) that is an interest rate swap agreement, basis swap, forward rate
agreement, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap or
option, bond option, interest rate option, forward foreign exchange agreement,
rate cap, collar or floor agreement, future agreement, currency swap agreement,
cross currency rate swap agreement, swaption, currency option, that relates to
fluctuations in raw material prices or utility or energy prices or other costs,
or any other similar agreement, including any option to enter into any of the
foregoing, or any combination of any of the foregoing. "Derivative Arrangements"
shall include all such agreements or arrangements made or entered into at any
time, or in effect at any time, whether or not related to a Loan.

      "Derivative Obligations" means, with respect to any Person, all
liabilities of such Person under any Derivative Arrangement (including but not
limited to obligations and liabilities arising


                                        4

<PAGE>

in connection with or as a result of early or premature termination of a
Derivative Arrangement, whether or not occurring as a result of a default
thereunder), absolute or contingent, now or hereafter existing or incurred or
due or to become due.

      "Eligible Assignee" means (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender, (c)
an Approved Fund, and (d) any other Person (other than a natural person)
approved by (i) the Administrative Agent, and (ii) unless an Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing, the Borrowers (each such approval not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that notwithstanding the foregoing,
"Eligible Assignee" shall not include a Borrower or any of the Borrowers'
Affiliates or Subsidiaries.

      "Environmental Laws" means any and all federal, state, local and foreign
statutes, laws, judicial decisions, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments,
orders, decrees, plans, injunctions, permits, concessions, grants, franchises,
licenses, agreements and other governmental restrictions relating to (i) the
protection of the environment, (ii) the effect of the environment on human
health, (iii) emissions, discharges or releases of pollutants, contaminants,
hazardous substances or wastes into surface water, ground water or land, or (iv)
the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal,
transport or handling of pollutants, contaminants, hazardous substances or
wastes or the clean-up or other remediation thereof.

      "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time, and the regulations issued thereunder.

      "Eurodollar Loan" means a Loan bearing interest prior to its maturity at
the rate specified in Section 2.2(b) hereof.

      "Eurodollar Margin" means the percentage set forth in Schedule 1 hereto
beside the then applicable Level for such Borrower, it being understood the
Borrowers may be in different Levels based upon the S&P Rating and/or Moody's
Rating then assigned to such Borrower. Consequently, a Borrower may have a
different Eurodollar Margin applicable to the Eurodollar Loans of such Borrower
than the Eurodollar Margin then applicable to the Eurodollar Loans of the other
Borrower.

      "Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" is defined in Section 2.2(b) hereof.

      "Event of Default" means any of the events or circumstances specified in
Section 8.1 hereof.

      "Excluded Taxes" means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any
Lender, or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any
obligation of a Borrower hereunder, (a) taxes imposed on or measured by its
overall net income (however denominated), and franchise taxes imposed on it (in
lieu of net income taxes), or similar taxes (including alternative minimum
taxes) imposed by a Governmental Authority in jurisdiction (or any political
subdivision thereof) as a result of a connection between the Administrative
Agent, Lender or other recipient and such jurisdiction (or any political
subdivision thereof), (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States
of America or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which a
Borrower is located and (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an
assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 9.5), any
withholding tax


                                        5

<PAGE>

that would be imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at the time such
Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new lending office) or is
attributable to such Foreign Lender's failure or inability (other than as a
result of a Change in Law) to comply with Section 9.4, except to the extent that
such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of
designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional
amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to
Section 9.4.

      "Existing Agreement" means that certain 3-year Credit Agreement by and
among the Borrowers, ABN AMRO Bank N.V., as Administrative Agent, and the other
parties thereto.

      "Facility Fee Rate" means the percentage set forth in Schedule 1 hereto
beside the then applicable Level for Nicor Gas.

      "Federal Funds Rate" means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate
per annum equal for each day during such period to:

         (a)   the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds
      transactions with members of the United States Federal Reserve System
      arranged by federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such
      day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the
      United States Federal Reserve Bank of New York; or

         (b)   if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business
      Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions
      received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of
      recognized standing selected by it.

      "Fee Letters" means, collectively, (i) that certain letter, dated as of
August 9, 2005 among Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, Wachovia Bank, National
Association and the Borrowers pertaining to fees to be paid by the Borrowers,
(ii) that certain letter, dated as of August 9, 2005 among ABN AMRO Bank N.V.,
ABN AMRO Incorporated and the Borrower and (iii) that certain letter dated as of
August 5, 2005 between J.P. Morgan Securities Inc, the Administrative Agent and
the Borrowers.

      "Foreign Lender" means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a
jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrowers are incorporated or
otherwise organized for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the
United States of America, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall
be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

      "Fund" means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be)
engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial
loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business.

      "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in the
United States from time to time, applied by Nicor and its Subsidiaries on a
basis consistent with the preparation of Borrower's financial statements
furnished to the Lenders as described in Section 5.4 hereof.


                                        6

<PAGE>

      "Governmental Authority" means the government of the United States of
America or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether
state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body,
court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial,
taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to
government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or
the European Central Bank).

      "Granting Bank" has the meaning specified in Section 11.8(g).

      "Guarantee" means, in respect of any Person, any obligation, contingent or
otherwise, of such Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness
or other obligations of another Person, including, without limitation, by means
of an agreement to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase
or payment of) such Indebtedness or to maintain financial covenants, or to
assure the payment of such Indebtedness by an agreement to make payments in
respect of goods or services regardless of whether delivered, or otherwise;
provided, that the term "Guarantee" shall not include endorsements for deposit
or collection in the ordinary course of business; and such term when used as a
verb shall have a correlative meaning.

      "Hazardous Material" means:

         (a)   any "hazardous substance", as defined by CERCLA; or

         (b)   any pollutant or contaminant or hazardous, dangerous or toxic
      chemical, material or substance within the meaning of any other
      Environmental Law.

      "Immaterial Subsidiary" shall mean, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of a
Borrower (i) whose total assets (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as of
the date of determination do not represent at least ten percent (10%) of the
total assets (as determined in accordance with GAAP) of such Borrower and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or (ii) whose total revenues for the most
recently completed twelve months (as determined in accordance with GAAP) do not
represent at least ten percent (10%) of the total revenues (as determined in
accordance with GAAP) of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis for such period.

      "Impermissible Qualification" means, relative to the opinion or
certification of any independent public accountant as to any financial statement
of a Borrower, any qualification or exception to such opinion or certification
(i) which is of a "going concern" or similar nature, (ii) which relates to the
limited scope of examination of matters relevant to such financial statement, or
(iii) which relates to the treatment or classification of any item in such
financial statement and which would require an adjustment to such item the
effect of which would be to cause the Borrowers to be in violation of Sections
7.15 or 7.16 hereof.

      "Indebtedness" means, as to any Person, without duplication: (i) all
obligations of such Person for borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, debentures,
notes or similar instruments; (ii) all obligations of such Person for the
deferred purchase price of Property or services (other than in respect of trade
accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business which are not
past-due); (iii) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (iv) all
Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any Properties, assets or revenues
of such Person to the extent of the lesser


                                        7

<PAGE>

of the value of the Property subject to such Lien or the amount of such
Indebtedness; (v) all Guarantees issued by such Person of Indebtedness of
another Person; (vi) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise,
in respect of any letters or credit (whether commercial or standby) or bankers'
acceptances, and (vii) all obligations of such Person under synthetic (and
similar type) lease arrangements; provided that for purposes of calculating
such Person's Indebtedness under such synthetic (or similar type) lease
arrangements, such lease arrangement shall be treated as if it were a
Capitalized Lease.

      "Indemnified Taxes" means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

      "Indemnitee" is defined in Section 11.11(b) hereof.

      "Information" is defined in Section 11.15 hereof.

      "Interest Period" is defined in Section 2.5 hereof.

      "Investments" is defined in Section 7.13.

      "Joint  Lead-Arrangers"  means J.P.  Morgan  Securities Inc. and Wachovia
Capital Markets, LLC.

      "Lender" and "Lenders" are defined in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.

      "Level I Status" means, with respect to the applicable Borrower, subject
to the provisions of Schedule 1, (i) in the case of Loans to Nicor, Nicor's S&P
Rating is AA or higher, and (ii) in the case of Loans to Nicor Gas, Nicor Gas'
S&P Rating is AA or higher and its Moody's Rating is Aa2 or higher.

      "Level II Status" means, with respect to the applicable Borrower, Level I
Status does not exist, but, subject to the provisions of Schedule 1, (i) in the
case of Loans to Nicor, Nicor's S&P Rating is AA- or higher, and (ii) in the
case of Loans to Nicor Gas, Nicor Gas' S&P Rating is AA- or higher and its
Moody's Rating is Aa3 or higher.

      "Level III Status" means, with respect to the applicable Borrower, neither
Level I Status nor Level II Status exists, but, subject to the provisions of
Schedule 1, (i) in the case of Loans to Nicor, Nicor's S&P Rating is A+ or
higher, and (ii) in the case of Loans to Nicor Gas, Nicor Gas' S&P Rating is A+
or higher and its Moody's Rating is A1 or higher.

      "Level IV Status" means, with respect to the applicable Borrower, none of
Level I Status, Level II Status nor Level III Status exists, but, subject to the
provisions of Schedule 1, (i) in the case of Loans to Nicor, Nicor's S&P Rating
is A or higher, and (ii) in the case of Loans to Nicor Gas, Nicor Gas' S&P
Rating is A or higher and its Moody's rating is A2 or higher.

      "Level V Status" means, with respect to the applicable Borrower, none of
Level I Status, Level II Status, Level III Status nor Level IV Status exists,
but, subject to the provisions of Schedule 1, (i) in the case of Loans to Nicor,
Nicor's S&P Rating is A- or higher, and (ii) in the case of Loans to Nicor Gas,
Nicor Gas' S&P Rating is A- or higher and its Moody's rating is A3 or higher.


                                        8

<PAGE>

      "Level VI Status" means, with respect to the applicable Borrower, none of
Level I Status, Level II Status, Level III Status, Level IV Status nor Level V
Status exists, but, subject to the provisions of Schedule 1, (i) in the case of
Loans to Nicor, Nicor's S&P Rating is BBB+ or higher, and (ii) in the case of
Loans to Nicor Gas, Nicor Gas' S&P Rating is BBB+ or higher and its Moody's
rating is Baa1 or higher.

      "Level VII Status" means with respect to the applicable Borrower none of
Level I Status, Level II Status, Level III Status, Level IV Status, Level V nor
Level VI Status exists.

      "LIBOR" is defined in Section 2.2(b) hereof.

      "Lien" means any interest in Property securing an obligation owed to, or a
claim by, a Person other than the owner of the Property, whether such interest
is based on the common law, statute or contract, including, but not limited to,
the security interest or lien arising from a mortgage, encumbrance, pledge,
conditional sale, security agreement or trust receipt, or a lease, consignment
or bailment for security purposes. For the purposes of this definition, a Person
shall be deemed to be the owner of any Property which it has acquired or holds
subject to a conditional sale agreement, Capital Lease or other arrangement
pursuant to which title to the Property has been retained by or vested in some
other Person for security purposes, and such retention of title shall constitute
a "Lien."

      "Loan" and "Loans" are defined in Section 2.1 hereof and includes a Base
Rate Loan or Eurodollar Loan, each of which is a "type" of Loan hereunder.

      "Material Adverse Effect" means any effect, resulting from any event or
circumstance whatsoever, which has a material adverse effect on the financial
condition or results of operations of a Borrower, or on the ability of either
Borrower to perform its payment obligations under this Agreement.

      "Material Subsidiaries" means any Subsidiary of a Borrower which is not an
Immaterial Subsidiary.

      "Moody's Rating" means the long term issuer rating assigned by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto that is a nationally
recognized rating agency to Nicor Gas (or if neither Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. nor any such successor shall be in the business of rating long-term
indebtedness, a nationally recognized rating agency in the United States of
America as mutually agreed between the Required Lenders and Borrowers). Any
reference in this Agreement to any specific rating is a reference to such rating
as currently defined by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (or such a successor)
and shall be deemed to refer to the equivalent rating if such rating system
changes.

      "Nicor" is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

      "Nicor Gas" is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

      "Nicor Gas Indenture" means that certain Indenture, dated as of January 1,
1954, between Commonwealth Edison Company and Continental Illinois National Bank
and Trust Company of Chicago, as supplemented from time to time, and as last
supplemented by a


                                        9

<PAGE>

Supplemental Indenture, dated December 1, 2003, between Northern Illinois Gas
Company and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as successor trustee under the Indenture
dated as of January 1, 1954, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

       "Nicor Sub-limit" means $300,000,000, as modified from time to time in
accordance with Section 2.11 hereof.

      "Note" is defined in Section 2.9(a) hereof.

      "Notice of Borrowing" means a notice of borrowing in the form of Exhibit D
hereto.

      "Obligations" means all fees payable hereunder, all obligations of the
Borrowers to pay principal or interest on Loans, fees, expenses, indemnities,
and all other payment obligations of the Borrowers arising under or in relation
to any Credit Document.

      "Other Taxes" means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or
any other excise or Property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any
payment made hereunder or under any other Credit Document or from the execution,
delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any
other Credit Document.

      "Participant" is defined in Section 11.8(d) hereof.

      "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

      "Pension Plan" means a "pension plan", as such term is defined in section
3(2) of ERISA, which is subject to Title IV of ERISA, and to which Nicor or any
member of the Controlled Group, may have liability, including any liability by
reason of having been a substantial employer within the meaning of section 4063
of ERISA at any time during the preceding five years, or by reason of being
deemed to be a contributing sponsor under section 4069 of ERISA.

      "Percentage" means, for each Lender, the percentage of the Commitments
represented by such Lender's Commitment or, if the Commitments have been
terminated, the percentage held by such Lender of the aggregate principal amount
of all outstanding Obligations.

      "Permitted Derivative Obligations" means all Derivative Obligations as to
which the Derivative Arrangements giving rise to such Derivative Obligation are
entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge interest rate risk,
currency risk, commodity price risk or the production of a Borrower or its
Subsidiaries (and not for speculative purposes).

      "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability
company, association, trust, unincorporated organization or any other entity or
organization, including a government or any agency or political subdivision
thereof.

      "Property" means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether
real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired.


                                       10

<PAGE>

      "Related Parties" means, subject to the provisions of Section 11.9 with
respect to any Person, such Person's Affiliates and the directors, officers,
employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Person's Affiliates.

      "Release" means "release", as such term is defined in CERCLA.

      "Required Lenders" means, as of the date of determination thereof, Lenders
holding in the aggregate at least a majority in interest of the then aggregate
unpaid principal amount of the Loans owing to Lenders, or, if no such principal
amount is then outstanding, Lenders having at least a majority in interest of
the Commitments.

      "SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

      "SEC Disclosure Documents" means all reports on forms 10K, 10Q, and 8K
filed by Nicor with the SEC prior to the Closing Date.

      "Security" has the same meaning as in Section 2(l) of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended.

      "S&P Rating" means, with respect to Nicor Gas, the corporate credit rating
and with respect to Nicor, the senior unsecured debt rating, in each case
assigned by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc. and any successor thereto to (i) in the case of Loans to Nicor
Gas, Nicor Gas, and (ii) in the case of Loans to Nicor, Nicor (or, if neither
such division nor any successor shall be in the business of rating long-term
indebtedness, a nationally recognized rating agency in the United States as
mutually agreed between the Required Lenders and Borrowers). Any reference in
this Agreement to any specific rating is a reference to such rating as currently
defined by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc. (or such a successor) and shall be deemed to refer to the
equivalent rating if such rating system changes.

      "Solvent" means that (a) the fair value of a Person's assets is in excess
of the total amount of such Person's debts, as determined in accordance with the
United States Bankruptcy Code, and (b) the present fair saleable value of a
Person's assets is in excess of the amount that will be required to pay such
Person's debts as they become absolute and matured. As used in this definition,
the term "debts" includes any legal liability, whether matured or unmatured,
liquidated or unliquidated, absolute, fixed or contingent, as determined in
accordance with the United States Bankruptcy Code.

      "SPC" has the meaning specified in Section 11.8(g).

      "Subsidiary" means, as to a Borrower, any corporation or other entity (i)
which is or should be consolidated into the financial statements of such
Borrower in accordance with GAAP or (ii) of which more than fifty percent (50%)
of the outstanding stock or comparable equity interests having ordinary voting
power for the election of the Board of Directors of such corporation or similar
governing body in the case of a non-corporation (irrespective of whether or not,
at the time, stock or other equity interests of any other class or classes of
such corporation or other entity shall have or might have voting power by reason
of the happening of any


                                       11

<PAGE>

contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned by such Borrower or by
one or more of its Subsidiaries.

      "Taxes" means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties,
deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any
Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties
applicable thereto.

      "Telerate Service" means the Moneyline Telerate, Inc.

      "Termination Date" means September 13, 2010, as extended from time to time
pursuant to Section 3.2.

      "Utilization Fee Rate" means the percentage set forth in Schedule 1 hereto
beside the then applicable Level.

      "Unfunded Vested Liabilities" means, with respect to any Plan at any
time, the amount (if any) by which (i) the present value of all vested
nonforfeitable accrued benefits under such Plan exceeds (ii) the fair market
value of all Plan assets allocable to such benefits, all determined as of the
then most recent valuation date for such Plan, but only to the extent that such
excess represents a potential liability of a member of the Controlled Group to
the PBGC or the Plan under Title IV of ERISA.

      "U.S. Dollars" and "$" each means the lawful currency of the United States
of America.

      "Voting Stock" of any Person means capital stock of any class or classes
or other equity interests (however designated) having ordinary voting power for
the election of directors or similar governing body of such Person.

      "Welfare Plan" means a "welfare plan", as such term is defined in section
3(1) of ERISA.

      "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary of a Borrower of which all of
the issued and outstanding shares of stock or other equity interests (other than
directors' qualifying shares as required by law) shall be owned, directly or
indirectly, by a Borrower.

      Section 1.2   Interpretation. The definitions of terms herein shall apply
equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the
context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine,
feminine and neuter forms. The words "include", "includes" and "including" shall
be deemed to be followed by the phrase "without limitation". The word "will"
shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word "shall".
Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any
agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring
to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such
amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference
herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person's successors and
assigns, (c) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder", and words of similar
import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to
any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles,
Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and
Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and


                                       12

<PAGE>

(e) the words "asset" and "property" shall be construed to have the same meaning
and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and
properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights. All
references to times of day in this Agreement shall be references to New York,
New York time unless otherwise specifically provided. Where the character or
amount of any asset or liability or item of income or expense is required to be
determined or any consolidation or other accounting computation is required to
be made for the purposes of this Agreement, the same shall be done in accordance
with GAAP in effect on the Closing Date, to the extent applicable, except where
such principles are inconsistent with the specific provisions of this Agreement.

SECTION 2.   THE CREDITS.

      Section 2.1   The Revolving Loan Commitment. Subject to the terms and
conditions hereof (including Sections 6.1 and 6.2), each Lender, by its
acceptance hereof, severally agrees to make a loan or loans (individually a
"Loan" and collectively "Loans") to the Borrowers from time to time on a
revolving basis in U.S. Dollars in an aggregate outstanding amount up to the
amount of its commitment set forth on Schedule 2 hereto (such amount, as reduced
pursuant to Section 2.11(a), increased pursuant to Section 2.11(b) or Section
2.12, or changed as a result of one or more assignments under Section 11.8, its
"Commitment" and, cumulatively for all the Lenders, the "Commitments") before
the Termination Date; provided that (i) the aggregate amount of Loans at any
time outstanding shall not exceed the Commitments in effect at such time, and
(ii) the aggregate principal amount of Loans owing by Nicor at any one time may
not exceed the Nicor Sub-limit. On the Termination Date the Commitments shall
terminate. Each Borrowing of Loans shall be made ratably from the Lenders in
proportion to their respective Percentages. As provided in Section 2.4(a)
hereof, a Borrower may elect that each Borrowing of Loans be either Base Rate
Loans or Eurodollar Loans. Loans may be repaid and the principal amount thereof
reborrowed before the Termination Date, subject to all the terms and conditions
hereof. Unless an earlier maturity is provided for hereunder, Loans shall mature
and be due and payable on the Applicable Repayment Date for such Loan. Each
Borrower shall be severally and not jointly liable for any Borrowings made
by it.

      Section 2.2   Applicable Interest Rates.

      (a)   Base Rate Loans. Each Base Rate Loan made or maintained by a Lender
shall bear interest during the period it is outstanding (computed (x) at all
times the Base Rate is based on the rate described in clause (i) of the
definition thereof, on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable,
and actual days elapsed or (y) at all times the Base Rate is based on the rate
described in clause (ii) of the definition thereof, on the basis of a year of
360 days and actual days elapsed) on the unpaid principal amount thereof from
the date such Loan is advanced, continued or created by conversion from a
Eurodollar Loan until maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) at a rate
per annum equal to the sum of the Applicable Margin plus the Base Rate from time
to time in effect, payable on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter and
at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise).

      "Base Rate" means for any day the greater of:


                                       13

<PAGE>

         (i)   the rate of interest announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. from
      time to time as its prime rate, or equivalent, for U.S. Dollar loans
      within the United States as in effect on such day, with any change in the
      Base Rate resulting from a change in said prime rate to be effective as of
      the date of the relevant change in said prime rate; and

         (ii)   the sum of (x) the Federal Funds Rate, plus (y) 1/2 of 1%
      (0.50%).

      (b)   Eurodollar Loans. Each Eurodollar Loan made or maintained by a
Lender shall bear interest during each Interest Period it is outstanding
(computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed) on the
unpaid principal amount thereof from the date such Loan is advanced, continued,
or created by conversion from a Base Rate Loan until maturity (whether by
acceleration or otherwise) at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the
Applicable Margin plus the Adjusted LIBOR applicable for such Interest Period,
payable on the last day of the Interest Period and at maturity (whether by
acceleration or otherwise), and, if the applicable Interest Period is longer
than three months, on each day occurring every three months after the
commencement of such Interest Period.

      "Adjusted LIBOR" means, for any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, a rate per
annum determined in accordance with the following formula:

         Adjusted LIBOR       =                        LIBOR
                                      -------------------------------------
                                        1 - Eurodollar Reserve Percentage

      "LIBOR" means, for an Interest Period for a Borrowing of Eurodollar
Loans, (a) the LIBOR Index Rate for such Interest Period, if such rate is
available, and (b) if the LIBOR Index Rate cannot be determined, the
arithmetical average of the rates of interest per annum (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the nearest one-sixteenth of one percent) at which deposits in
U.S. Dollars, in immediately available funds are offered to the Administrative
Agent at 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) two (2) Business Days before the
beginning of such Interest Period by major banks in the interbank eurodollar
market for delivery on the first day of and for a period equal to such Interest
Period in an amount equal or comparable to the principal amount of the
Eurodollar Loan scheduled to be made by each Lender as part of such Borrowing.

      "LIBOR Index Rate" means, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum
(rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher one-sixteenth of one percent)
for deposits in U.S. Dollars for delivery on the first day of and for a period
equal to such Interest Period in an amount equal or comparable to the principal
amount of the Eurodollar Loan scheduled to be made by each Lender as part of
such Borrowing, which appears on the Applicable Telerate Page as of 11:00 a.m.
(London, England time) on the day two (2) Business Days before the commencement
of such Interest Period.

      "Applicable Telerate Page" means the display page designated as "Page
3750" on the Telerate Service (or such other pages as may replace any such page
on that service or such other service as may be nominated by the British
Bankers' Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying
British Bankers' Association Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in U.S.
Dollars).


                                       14

<PAGE>

      "Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" means for any Borrowing of Eurodollar
Loans from any Lender, the daily average for the applicable Interest Period of
the actual effective rate, expressed as a decimal, at which reserves (including,
without limitation, any supplemental, marginal and emergency reserves) are
maintained by such Lender during such Interest Period pursuant to Regulation D
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) on
"eurocurrency liabilities", as defined in such Board's Regulation D (or in
respect of any other category of liabilities that includes deposits by reference
to which the interest rate on Eurodollar Loans is determined or any category of
extensions of credit or other assets that include loans by non-United States
offices of any Lender to United States residents), subject to any amendments of
such reserve requirement by such Board or its successor, taking into account any
transitional adjustments thereto. For purposes of this definition, the
Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to be "eurocurrency liabilities" as defined in
Regulation D without benefit or credit for any prorations, exemptions or offsets
under Regulation D.

      (c)   Rate Determinations. The Administrative Agent shall determine each
interest rate applicable to Obligations, and a determination thereof by the
Administrative Agent shall be conclusive and binding except in the case of
manifest error.

      Section 2.3   Minimum Borrowing Amounts. Each Borrowing of Base Rate Loans
and Eurodollar Loans shall be in an amount not less than (i) if such Borrowing
is comprised of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, $1,000,000 and integral
multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof, and (ii) if such Borrowing is comprised
of a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, $2,000,000 and integral multiples of
$1,000,000 in excess thereof.

      Section 2.4   Manner of Borrowing Loans and Designating Interest Rates
Applicable to Loans.

      (a)   Notice to the Administrative Agent. A Borrower shall give notice to
the Administrative Agent by no later than 11:00 a.m. (Chicago time) (i) at least
three (3) Business Days before the date on which such Borrower requests the
Lenders to advance a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, or (ii) on the date on which
such Borrower requests the Lenders to advance a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans.
The Loans included in each Borrowing shall bear interest initially at the type
of rate specified in such notice of a new Borrowing. Thereafter, such Borrower
may from time to time elect to change or continue the type of interest rate
borne by each Borrowing or, subject to Section 2.3, a portion thereof, as
follows: (i) if such Borrowing is of Eurodollar Loans, on the last day of the
Interest Period applicable thereto, such Borrower may continue part or all of
such Borrowing as Eurodollar Loans for an Interest Period or Interest Periods
specified by such Borrower or convert part or all of such Borrowing into Base
Rate Loans, and (ii) if such Borrowing is of Base Rate Loans, on any Business
Day, such Borrower may convert all or part of such Borrowing into Eurodollar
Loans for an Interest Period or Interest Periods specified by such Borrower. The
Borrowers shall give all such notices requesting, the advance, continuation, or
conversion of a Borrowing to the Administrative Agent by telephone, facsimile or
electronic means (which notice shall be irrevocable once given and, if by
telephone, shall be promptly confirmed in writing). Notices of the continuation
of a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans for an additional Interest Period or of the
conversion of part or all of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar
Loans must be given by no later than 12:00 noon (Chicago time) at least three
(3) Business Days before the date of the requested continuation or


                                       15

<PAGE>

conversion. Notices of the conversion of part or all of a Borrowing of
Eurodollar Loans into Base Rate Loans must be given no later than 11:00 a.m.
(Chicago time) on the date of the requested conversion. All such notices
concerning the advance, continuation, or conversion of a Borrowing shall be
irrevocable once given and shall specify the Borrower who is requesting the
advance, continuation, or conversion of the applicable Borrowing, the date of
the requested advance, continuation or conversion of a Borrowing (which shall
be a Business Day), the amount of the requested Borrowing to be advanced,
continued, or converted, the type of Loans to comprise such new, continued or
converted Borrowing and, if such Borrowing is to be comprised of Eurodollar
Loans, the Interest Period applicable thereto. All such notices shall be in the
form of a Notice of Borrowing, unless otherwise consented to by the
Administrative Agent; provided that the Borrowers agree that the Administrative
Agent may rely on any telephonic, facsimile or electronic notice given by any
person it in good faith believes is an Authorized Representative without the
necessity of independent investigation, and in the event any such notice by
telephone conflicts with any written confirmation, such telephonic notice shall
govern if the Administrative Agent has acted in reliance thereon. There may be
no more than six different Interest Periods in effect at any one time. Any
Loans made on the Closing Date shall be Base Rate Loans.

      (b)   Notice to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt
telephonic, facsimile or electronic notice to each Lender of any notice from a
Borrower received pursuant to Section 2.4(a) above. The Administrative Agent
shall give notice to such Borrower and each Lender by like means of the interest
rate applicable to each Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans.

      (c)   Borrower's Failure to Notify. If a Borrower fails to give notice
pursuant to Section 2.4(a) above of the continuation or conversion of any
outstanding principal amount of a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans before the last
day of its then current Interest Period within the period required by
Section 2.4(a) and has not notified the Administrative Agent within the period
required by Section 2.7(a) that it intends to prepay such Borrowing, such
Borrowing shall automatically be converted into a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans,
subject to Section 6.2 hereof. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify
the Lenders of a Borrower's failure to so give a notice under Section 2.4(a).

      (d)   Disbursement of Loans. Not later than 12:00 noon (New York time) on
the date of any requested advance of a new Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, and
not later than 2:00 p.m. (New York time) on the date of any requested advance of
a new Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, subject to Section 6 hereof, each Lender
shall make available its Loan comprising part of such Borrowing in funds
immediately available at the principal office of the Administrative Agent in
New York, New York. The Administrative Agent shall make Loans available to
Borrower at the Administrative Agent's principal office in New York, New York
or such other office as the Administrative Agent has previously agreed in
writing to with Borrowers, in each case in the type of funds received by the
Administrative Agent from the Lenders.

      (e)   Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the
Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the
proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the
Administrative Agent such Lender's share of such Borrowing, the Administrative
Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in
accordance with Section 2.4(d) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make
available to the applicable Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event,


                                       16

<PAGE>

if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available
to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and applicable Borrower
severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such
corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the
date such amount is made available to such Borrower to but excluding the date of
payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of a payment to be made
by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by
the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank
compensation and (ii) in the case of a payment to be made by a Borrower, the
interest rate applicable to such Loans. If such Borrower and such Lender shall
pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping
period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to such Borrower the
amount of such interest paid by such Borrower for such period. If such Lender
pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute
such Lender's Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by such Borrower
shall be without prejudice to any claim such Borrower may have against a Lender
that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

      (f)   Payments by Borrowers; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless
the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Borrower prior to the
date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of
the Lenders hereunder that such Borrower will not make such payment, the
Administrative Agent may assume that such Borrower has made such payment on such
date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption,
distribute to the Lenders the amount due. In such event, if such Borrower has
not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to
repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed
to such Lender, with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date
such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the
Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate
determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules
on interbank compensation.

      Section 2.5   Interest Periods. As provided in Section 2.4(a) hereof, at
the time of each request of a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, a Borrower shall
select an Interest Period applicable to such Loans from among the available
options. The term "Interest Period" means the period commencing on the date a
Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans is advanced, continued, or created by conversion
and ending 1, 2, 3, or 6 months thereafter; provided, however, that:

         (a)   a Borrower may not select an Interest Period for a Loan that
      extends beyond the Applicable Repayment Date for such Loan;

         (b)   whenever the last day of any Interest Period would otherwise be
      a day that is not a Business Day, the last day of such Interest Period
      shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day; provided that, if
      such extension would cause the last day of an Interest Period to occur
      in the following calendar month, the last day of such Interest Period
      shall be the immediately preceding Business Day; and

         (c)   for purposes of determining an Interest Period, a month means
      a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the
      numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month; provided,
      however, that if there is no numerically


                                       17

<PAGE>

      corresponding day in the month in which such an Interest Period is to
      end or if such an Interest Period begins on the last Business Day of a
      calendar month, then such Interest Period shall end on the last Business
      Day of the calendar month in which such Interest Period is to end.

      Section 2.6   Maturity of Loans. Unless an earlier maturity is provided
for hereunder (whether by acceleration or otherwise), all Obligations (including
principal and interest on all outstanding Loans) shall mature and become due and
payable on (i) in the case of Loans, the Applicable Repayment Date for such
Loan, and (ii) in the case of all other Obligations, the Termination Date. Each
Borrower hereby promises to pay as and when due each Obligation owing by it.
Each Borrower hereby waives demand, presentment, protest or notice of any kind
with respect to each such Obligation.

      Section 2.7   Prepayments. (a) Borrowers may prepay without premium or
penalty and in whole or in part (but, if in part, then (i) in an amount not less
than $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, and (ii)
in an amount such that the minimum amount required for a Borrowing pursuant to
Section 2.3 hereof remains outstanding) any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans upon
three (3) Business Days' prior irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent
or, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, irrevocable notice delivered
to the Administrative Agent no later than 12:00 noon (Chicago time) on the date
of prepayment, such prepayment to be made by the payment of the principal amount
to be prepaid and accrued interest thereon to the date fixed for prepayment. In
the case of Eurodollar Loans, any amounts owing under Section 2.10 hereof as a
result of such prepayment shall be paid contemporaneously with such prepayment.
The Administrative Agent will promptly advise each Lender of any such prepayment
notice it receives from a Borrower. Any amount paid or prepaid before the
Termination Date may, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, be
borrowed, repaid and borrowed again.

      (b)   If the aggregate amount of outstanding Loans shall at any time for
any reason exceed the Commitments then in effect, the Borrowers shall,
immediately and without notice or demand, pay the amount of such excess to the
Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders as a prepayment of
the Loans and such prepayments shall not be subject to the provisions of Section
2.7(a). Immediately upon determining the need to make any such prepayment
Borrowers shall notify the Administrative Agent of such required prepayment.
Each such prepayment shall be accompanied by a payment of all accrued and unpaid
interest on the Loans prepaid and shall be subject to Section 2.10.

      Section 2.8   Default Rate. If any Obligation is not paid when due
(whether by acceleration or otherwise), or upon the occurrence of any Event of
Default and notice from the Administrative Agent to the Borrowers referencing
such Event of Default and stating that the additional interest ("Default
Interest") specified in this Section 2.8 shall commence accruing, all
Obligations shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, bear interest
(computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed or, if
based on the rate described in clause (i) of the definition of Base Rate, on
the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and the actual number of
days elapsed) from the date such payment on such Obligations was due or such
notice was delivered, until paid in full or such Event of Default is waived in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, payable on demand, at a rate
per annum equal to:


                                       18

<PAGE>

         (a)   for any Obligation other than a Eurodollar Loan (including
      principal and interest relating to Base Rate Loans and interest on
      Eurodollar Loans), the sum of two percent (2%) plus the Applicable
      Margin applicable to Base Rate Loans plus the Base Rate from time to
      time in effect; and

         (b)   for the principal of any Eurodollar Loan, the sum of two percent
      (2%) plus the rate of interest in effect thereon at the time of such
      default until the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto and,
      thereafter, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of two percent (2%)
      plus the Applicable Margin applicable to Base Rate Loans plus the Base
      Rate from time to time in effect;

         provided, however, that following acceleration of the Loans pursuant
      to Section 8.3, Default Interest shall accrue and be payable hereunder
      whether or not previously required by the Administrative Agent.

      Section 2.9   Evidence of Debt. (a) Each Lender shall maintain in
accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the
indebtedness of each Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan owing to
such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest
payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder in respect of Loans.
Each Borrower agrees that upon notice by any Lender to such Borrower (with a
copy of such notice to the Administrative Agent) to the effect that a Note is
required or appropriate in order for such Lender to evidence (whether for
purposes of pledge, enforcement or otherwise) the Loans owing to, or to be made
by, such Lender under the Credit Documents, such Borrower shall promptly execute
and deliver to such Lender a promissory note in the form of Exhibit A hereto
(each such promissory note is hereinafter referred to as a "Note" and
collectively such promissory notes are referred to as the "Notes").

      (b)   The Register maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Section 11.8(c) shall include a control account, and a subsidiary account for
each Lender, in which accounts (taken together) shall be recorded (i) the date
and amount of each Borrowing made hereunder, the applicable Borrower for such
Borrowing, the type of Loan comprising such Borrowing and, if appropriate, the
Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the terms of each Assignment and
Acceptance delivered to and accepted by it, (iii) the amount of any principal or
interest due and payable or to become due and payable from each Borrower to each
Lender hereunder and (iv) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative
Agent from a Borrower hereunder and each Lender's share thereof.

      (c)  Entries made in good faith by the Administrative Agent in the
Register pursuant to subsection (b) above, and by each Lender in its account or
accounts pursuant to subsection (a) above, shall be prima facie evidence of the
amount of principal and interest due and payable or to become due and payable
from a Borrower to, in the case of the Register, each Lender and, in the case of
such account or accounts, such Lender, under this Agreement, absent manifest
error; provided, however, that the failure of the Administrative Agent or such
Lender to make an entry, or any finding that an entry is incorrect, in the
Register or such account or accounts shall not limit or otherwise affect the
obligations of a Borrower under this Agreement.


                                       19

<PAGE>

      Section 2.10   Funding Indemnity. If any Lender shall incur any loss, cost
or expense (including, without limitation, any loss, cost or expense (excluding
loss of margin) incurred by reason of the liquidation or re-employment of
deposits or other funds acquired by such Lender to fund or maintain any
Eurodollar Loan or the relending or reinvesting of such deposits or amounts paid
or prepaid to such Lender) as a result of:

         (a)   any payment (whether by acceleration, pursuant to Section 9.5 or
      otherwise), prepayment or conversion of a Eurodollar Loan on a date other
      than the last day of its Interest Period,

         (b)   any failure (because of a failure to meet the conditions of
      Section 6 or otherwise) by a Borrower to borrow or continue a Eurodollar
      Loan, or to convert a Base Rate Loan into a Eurodollar Loan, on the date
      specified in a notice given pursuant to Section 2.4(a) or established
      pursuant to Section 2.4(c) hereof,

         (c)   any failure by a Borrower to make any payment or prepayment of
      principal on any Eurodollar Loan when due (whether by acceleration or
      otherwise), or

         (d)   any acceleration of the maturity of a Eurodollar Loan as a result
      of the occurrence of any Event of Default hereunder,

then, upon the demand of such Lender, the applicable Borrower shall pay to such
Lender such amount as will reimburse such Lender for such loss, cost or expense.
If any Lender makes such a claim for compensation, it shall provide to such
Borrower, with a copy to the Administrative Agent, a certificate executed by an
officer of such Lender setting forth the amount of such loss, cost or expense in
reasonable detail (including an explanation of the basis for and the computation
of such loss, cost or expense) and the amounts shown on such certificate if
reasonably calculated shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of such loss,
cost or expense.

      Section 2.11   Commitments. (a) Borrowers shall have the right at any time
and from time to time, upon five (5) Business Days' prior written notice to the
Administrative Agent, to reduce or terminate the Commitments without premium or
penalty, in whole or in part, any partial termination or reduction to be (i) in
an amount not less than $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in
excess thereof, and (ii) allocated ratably among the Lenders in proportion to
their respective Percentages; provided that the Commitments may not be reduced
to an amount less than the amount of the Loans then outstanding. Any reduction
in the Commitments below $300,000,000 shall result in a ratable reduction of the
Nicor Sub-limit. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to each
Lender of any reduction or termination of Commitments. Any reduction or
termination of Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.11 may not be reinstated.

      (b)   The Borrowers and the Administrative Agent may from time to time add
additional financial institutions as parties to this Agreement or, with the
written consent of an existing Lender, increase the Commitment of such existing
Lender (any such financial institution or existing Lender which is increasing
its commitment being referred to as an "Added Lender") pursuant to documentation
satisfactory to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent and any such Added
Lender shall for all purposes be considered a Lender for purposes of this
Agreement


                                       20

<PAGE>

and the other Credit Documents with a Commitment as set forth in such
documentation. Any such Added Lender shall on the date it is deemed a party to
this Agreement purchase from the other Lenders its Percentage (or the increase
in its Percentage, in the case of an Added Lender which is an existing Lender)
of the Loans outstanding. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section
2.11(b) to the contrary but subject to Section 2.12, the aggregate amount of
Commitments may not at any time exceed $600,000,000 without the consent of the
Required Lenders.

      Section 2.12   Increase in the Aggregate Commitments(a) The Borrowers may,
at any time prior to the Termination Date but in any event not more than twice
in any twelve month period, by notice to the Administrative Agent and in
accordance with Section 2.12(b), request that the aggregate amount of the
Commitments be increased by an amount of $25,000,000 or an integral multiple
thereof (each a "Commitment Increase") to be effective as of a date that is at
least 90 days prior to the scheduled Termination Date then in effect (the
"Increase Date") as specified in the related notice to the Administrative Agent;
provided, however that (i) in no event shall the aggregate amount of the
Commitments at any time exceed $800,000,000, (ii) on the date of any request by
the Borrowers for a Commitment Increase and on the related Increase Date the
applicable conditions set forth in Sections 3.2 and 6.2 shall be satisfied and
(iii) prior to the effectiveness of any such increase, the Borrowers shall
deliver a certified copy of their Board of Directors' resolutions authorizing
such increase.

      (b)   The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of a
request by the Borrowers for a Commitment Increase, which notice shall include
(i) the proposed amount of such requested Commitment Increase, (ii) the proposed
Increase Date and (iii) the date by which Lenders wishing to participate in the
Commitment Increase must commit to an increase in the amount of their respective
Commitments (the "Commitment Date"). Each Lender that is willing to participate
in such requested Commitment Increase (each an "Increasing Lender") shall, in
its sole discretion, give written notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior
to the Commitment Date of the amount by which it is willing to increase its
Commitment. Failure of a Lender to provide any such notice shall be considered a
rejection of an offer to increase its commitment. If the Lenders notify the
Administrative Agent that they are willing to increase the amount of their
respective Commitments by an aggregate amount that exceeds the amount of the
requested Commitment Increase, the requested Commitment Increase shall be
allocated among the Lenders willing to participate therein in such amounts as
are agreed between the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent.

      (c)   Promptly following each Commitment Date, the Administrative Agent
shall notify the Borrowers as to the amount, if any, by which the Lenders are
willing to participate in the requested Commitment Increase. If the aggregate
amount by which the Lenders are willing to participate in any requested
Commitment Increase on any such Commitment Date is less than the requested
Commitment Increase, then the Borrowers may extend offers to one or more
Eligible Assignees to participate in any portion of the requested Commitment
Increase that has not been committed to by the Lenders as of the applicable
Commitment Date; provided, however, that the Commitment of each such Eligible
Assignee shall be in an amount not less than $5,000,000.


                                       21

<PAGE>

      (d)   On each Increase Date, each Eligible Assignee that accepts an offer
to participate in a Commitment Increase requested in accordance with Section
2.12(a) (each such Eligible Assignee, an "Assuming Lender") shall become a
Lender party to this Agreement as of such Increase Date and the Commitment of
each Increasing Lender for such requested Commitment Increase shall be increased
by the amount of the Commitment Increase so requested (or by the amount
allocated to such Lender pursuant to the last sentence of Section 2.12(b)) as of
such Increase Date. On each Increase Date, the Administrative Agent shall notify
the Lenders (including, without limitation, each Assuming Lender) and the
Borrowers, on or before 11:00 A.M. (Chicago time), by telecopier, of the
occurrence of the Commitment Increase to be effected on such Increase Date and
shall record in the Register the relevant information with respect to each
Increasing Lender and each Assuming Lender on such date. Each Increasing Lender
and each Assuming Lender shall, before 2:00 P.M. (Chicago time) on the Increase
Date, make available for the account of its applicable lending office to the
account of the Administrative Agent, in same day funds, in the case of such
Assuming Lender, an amount equal to such Assuming Lender's ratable portion of
the Borrowings then outstanding (calculated based on its Commitment as a
percentage of the aggregate Commitments outstanding after giving effect to the
relevant Commitment Increase) and, in the case of such Increasing Lender, an
amount equal to the excess of (i) such Increasing Lender's ratable portion of
the Borrowings then outstanding (calculated based on its Commitment as a
percentage of the aggregate Commitments outstanding after giving effect to the
relevant Commitment Increase) over (ii) such Increasing Lender's ratable portion
of the Borrowings then outstanding (calculated based on its Commitment (without
giving effect to the relevant Commitment Increase) as a percentage of the
aggregate Commitments (without giving effect to the relevant Commitment
Increase). After the Administrative Agent's receipt of such funds from each such
Increasing Lender and each such Assuming Lender, the Administrative Agent will
promptly thereafter cause to be distributed like funds to the other Lenders for
the account of their respective applicable lending offices in an amount to each
other Lender such that the aggregate amount of the outstanding Loans owing to
each Lender after giving effect to such distribution equals such Lender's
ratable portion of the Borrowings then outstanding (calculated based on its
Commitment as a percentage of the aggregate Commitments outstanding after giving
effect to the relevant Commitment Increase).

SECTION 3.   FEES AND EXTENSIONS.

      Section 3.1   Fees.

      (a)   Facility Fee. From and after the Closing Date, Borrowers shall pay
to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Lenders in accordance
with their Percentages a facility fee accruing at a rate per annum equal to the
Facility Fee Rate on the average daily amount of the Commitments (whether used
or unused), or if the Commitments have expired or terminated, on the principal
amount of Loans then outstanding. Such facility fee is payable in arrears on the
last Business Day of each calendar quarter and on the Termination Date, and if
the Commitments are terminated in whole prior to the Termination Date, the fee
for the period to but not including the date of such termination shall be paid
in whole on the date of such termination.

      (b)   Utilization Fees. For any day on which the aggregate amount of Loans
then outstanding exceeds fifty (50%) of the Commitments then in effect, or if
any Loans remain outstanding after the Commitments have been terminated, then
Borrowers shall pay to the


                                       22

<PAGE>

Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Lenders in accordance with
their Percentages a utilization fee accruing at a rate per annum equal to the
Utilization Fee Rate on the aggregate amount of Loans outstanding on such date.
Such utilization fee is payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each
calendar quarter and on the Termination Date, and if the Commitments are
terminated in whole prior to the Termination Date, the fee for the period to but
not including the date of such termination shall be paid in whole on the date of
such termination.

      (c)   Administrative Agent Fees. Nicor shall pay to the Joint
Lead-Arrangers and the Administrative Agent for their sole account the fees
agreed to by Nicor in the Fee Letters or as otherwise agreed among them in
writing.

      (d)   Fee Calculations. All fees payable under this Agreement shall be
payable in U.S. Dollars and shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360
days, for the actual number of days elapsed. All determinations of the amount of
fees owing hereunder (and the components thereof) shall be made by the
Administrative Agent and shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of such
fee.

      Section 3.2   Extensions.

      (a)   Requests for Extension. The Borrowers may, by notice to the
Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders) not earlier than
45 days and not later than 35 days prior to the Termination Date then in effect
hereunder (the "Existing Termination Date"), request that each Lender extend
such Lender's Termination Date for an additional year from the Existing
Termination Date; provided, however, that the Existing Termination Date cannot
be extended more than twice.

      (b)   Lender Elections to Extend. Each Lender, acting in its sole and
individual discretion, shall, by notice to the Administrative Agent given not
earlier than 30 days prior to the Existing Termination Date and not later than
the date (the "Notice Date") that is 20 days prior to the Existing Termination
Date, advise the Administrative Agent whether or not such Lender agrees to such
extension and each Lender that determines not to so extend its Commitment
Termination Date (a "Non-Extending Lender") shall notify the Administrative
Agent of such fact promptly after such determination (but in any event no later
than the Notice Date) and any Lender that does not so advise the Administrative
Agent on or before the Notice Date shall be deemed to be a Non-Extending Lender.
The election of any Lender to agree to such extension shall not obligate any
other Lender to so agree.

      (c)   Notification by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall
notify the Borrowers of each Lender's determination under this Section no later
than the date 15 days prior to the Existing Termination Date (or, if such date
is not a Business Day, on the next preceding Business Day).

      (d)   Additional Commitment Lenders. The Borrowers shall have the right
on or before the Existing Termination Date to replace each Non-Extending Lender
with, and add as "Lenders" under this Agreement in place thereof, one or more
Eligible Assignees (each, an "Additional Commitment Lender") with the approval
of the Administrative Agent (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld).
Each Additional Commitment Lender shall enter into an agreement


                                       23

<PAGE>

in form and substance satisfactory to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent
pursuant to which such Additional Commitment Lender shall, effective as of the
Existing Termination Date, undertake a Commitment (and, if any such Additional
Commitment Lender is already a Lender, its Commitment shall be in addition to
such Lender's Commitment hereunder on such date).

      (e)   Minimum Extension Requirement. If (and only if) the Required Lenders
have agreed to extend their Termination Date, then, effective as of the Existing
Termination Date, the Termination Date of each Extending Lender and of each
Additional Commitment Lender shall be extended to the date falling one year
after the Existing Termination Date (except that, if such date is not a Business
Day, such Commitment Date as so extended shall be the next preceding Business
Day) and each Additional Commitment Lender shall thereupon become a "Lender" for
all purposes of this Agreement.

      (f)   Conditions to Effectiveness of Extensions. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the extension of the Termination Date pursuant to this Section shall
not be effective with respect to any Lender unless:

            (i)   no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
      continuing on the date of such extension and after giving effect thereto;

            (ii)  the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement
      are true and correct on and as of the date of such extension and after
      giving effect thereto, as though made on and as of such date (or, if any
      such representation or warranty is expressly stated to have been made as
      of a specific date, as of such specific date);

            (iii) the Borrowers shall deliver a certified copy of their
      respective Board of Directors' resolutions authorizing such extension; and

            (iv)  on or before the Termination Date of each Non-Extending
      Lender, (1) the Borrowers shall have paid in full the principal of and
      interest on all of the Loans made by such Non-Extending Lender to the
      Borrowers hereunder and (2) the Borrowers shall have paid in full all
      other Obligations owing to such Lender hereunder.

SECTION 4.   PLACE AND APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS.

      All payments of principal of and interest on the Loan, and all other
Obligations payable by the Borrowers under the Credit Documents shall be made by
Borrowers in U.S. Dollars to the Administrative Agent by no later than 1:00 p.m.
(Chicago time) on the due date thereof at the principal office of the
Administrative Agent in New York, New York pursuant to the payment instructions
set forth on Part A of Schedule 4 hereof (or such other location in the United
States as the Administrative Agent may designate to Borrowers) for the benefit
of the Person or Persons entitled thereto. Any payments received after such time
shall be deemed to have been received by the Administrative Agent on the next
Business Day. All such payments shall be made free and clear of, and without
deduction for, any set-off, defense, counterclaim, levy, or any other deduction
of any kind in immediately available funds at the place of payment. The
Administrative Agent, will promptly thereafter cause to be distributed like
funds relating to the payment of principal or interest on Loans or applicable
fees ratably to the Lenders and like funds


                                       24

<PAGE>

relating to the payment of any other amount payable to any Person to such
Person, in each case to be applied in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.

SECTION 5.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

      Each Borrower hereby represents and warrants to each Lender as to itself
and, where the following representations and warranties apply to its
Subsidiaries, as to each Subsidiary of such Borrower, as follows:

      Section 5.1   Corporate Organization and Authority. Such Borrower is (i)
duly organized and existing in good standing under the laws of the State of
Illinois; (ii) has all necessary corporate power to carry on its present
business; and (iii) is duly licensed or qualified and in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which the nature of the business transacted by it or the nature
of the Property owned or leased by it makes such licensing, qualification or
good standing necessary and in which the failure to be so licensed, qualified
or in good standing would have a Material Adverse Effect.

      Section 5.2   Subsidiaries. Schedule 5.2 (as updated from time to time
pursuant to Section 7.1) hereto identifies each Material Subsidiary which is not
also a Borrower, such Material Subsidiary's jurisdiction of incorporation or
formation, the percentage of issued and outstanding shares of each class of such
Material Subsidiary's capital stock or other equity interests owned by a
Borrower and/or such Borrower's Subsidiaries and, if such percentage is not one
hundred percent (100%) (excluding directors' qualifying shares as required by
law), a description of each class of its authorized capital stock and the number
of shares or equity interests of each class issued and outstanding. Each
Material Subsidiary is duly formed and existing in good standing under the laws
of the jurisdiction of its formation, has all necessary organizational power to
carry on its present business, and is duly licensed or qualified and in good
standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business transacted by
it or the nature of the Property owned or leased by it makes such licensing or
qualification necessary and in which the failure to be so licensed or qualified
would have a Material Adverse Effect. All of the issued and outstanding shares
of capital stock or other equity interests, as applicable, of each Material
Subsidiary owned directly or indirectly by the Borrowers are validly issued and
outstanding and fully paid and nonassessable. All such shares and other equity
interests owned by a Borrower are owned beneficially, and of record, free of any
Lien, except as permitted in Section 7.9.

      Section 5.3   Corporate Authority and Validity of Obligations. The
Borrowers have all necessary corporate power and authority to execute, deliver
and perform their obligations under this Agreement and the Notes and to
consummate the transactions herein contemplated, and the execution, delivery and
performance, and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated, by
the Borrowers of this Agreement and the Notes have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on their part; and this Agreement has been duly and
validly executed and delivered by the Borrowers and constitutes, and the Notes
when executed and delivered for value will constitute, their legal, valid and
binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to the
effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or moratorium
or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and


                                       25

<PAGE>

subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is
sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

      Section 5.4   Financial Statements. The consolidated balance sheet and
consolidated statement of capitalization of Nicor as of December 31, 2004 and
the notes thereto (the "12/31 Financials") and the related consolidated
statements of operations and cash flows of Nicor for the fiscal year ended on
said date, and the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Nicor as of June 30,
2005 and the notes thereto (the "6/30 Financials") and the related consolidated
statements of income and cash flows of Nicor for the 6-month period ended on
such date, heretofore furnished to the Lenders, are complete and correct and
fairly present the consolidated financial condition of Nicor as of said dates,
and the results of its operations for the fiscal year and 6-month period ended
on said dates (subject, in the case of the 6/30 Financials to normal year-end
audit adjustments). On said dates the Borrowers did not have any material
contingent liabilities, liabilities for taxes, unusual forward or long-term
commitments or unrealized or anticipated losses from any unfavorable
commitments, except as referred to or reflected or provided for in the 12/31
Financials and the 6/30 Financials as of said dates or as previously disclosed
in the SEC Disclosure Documents. From the period commencing December 31, 2004
and ending on the Closing Date, there has been no event or series of events
which has resulted in, or reasonably could be expected to result in, a Material
Adverse Effect.

      Section 5.5   No Litigation; No Labor Controversies. (a) Except as
previously disclosed in the SEC Disclosure Documents, as of the Closing Date,
there are no legal or arbitral proceedings or any proceedings by or before any
Governmental Authority or agency, now pending or (to the knowledge of the
Borrowers) threatened against either of the Borrowers as to which there is a
reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and which, if adversely
determined, could have a Material Adverse Effect during the term of this
Agreement.

      (b)   There are no labor controversies pending or, to the best knowledge
of Borrowers, threatened against a Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower
which could (individually or in the aggregate) have a Material Adverse Effect.

      Section 5.6   Taxes. Each of the Borrowers has filed all United States
Federal income tax returns and all other material tax returns which are required
to be filed by it and has paid all taxes due pursuant to such returns or
pursuant to any assessment received by the Borrowers except for any such taxes
that are being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and against
which adequate reserves are being maintained. The charges, accruals and reserves
on the books of the Borrowers in respect of taxes are in conformance with GAAP.

      Section 5.7   Approvals. No authorization, consent, approval, license,
exemption, filing or registration with any court or Governmental Authority, nor
any approval or consent of the stockholders of a Borrower or any Subsidiary of a
Borrower or from any other Person, is necessary to the valid execution, delivery
or performance by a Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower of any Credit
Document to which it is a party.

      Section 5.8   ERISA. During the twelve consecutive-month period prior to
the date of the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the date
of any Borrowing, no steps have been taken to terminate or completely or
partially withdraw from any Pension Plan, and no


                                       26

<PAGE>

contribution failure has occurred with respect to any Pension Plan sufficient
to give rise to a Lien under section 302 (f) of ERISA. No condition exists or
event or transaction has occurred with respect to any Pension Plan which might
result in the incurrence by Nicor or any member of the Controlled Group of any
material liability, fine or penalty. Except as previously disclosed in the SEC
Disclosure Documents, the Borrowers do not have any contingent liability with
respect to any post-retirement benefit under a Welfare Plan, other than
liability for continuation coverage described in Part 6 of Title I of ERISA.

      Section 5.9   Government Regulation. Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary
of Borrower is an "investment company" within the meaning of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended. All approvals, if any, which a Borrower is
required to obtain as a result of it being subject to the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935, as amended, have been obtained.

      Section 5.10   Margin Stock; Use of Proceeds. Neither Borrower is engaged
in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
margin stock, and no proceeds of any borrowings hereunder will be used for a
purpose which violates, or would be inconsistent with, F.R.S. Board Regulation
U or X, or any official rulings on or interpretations of such regulations. Terms
for which meanings are provided in F.R.S. Board Regulation U or X or any
regulations substituted therefor, as from time to time in effect, are used in
this Section 5.10 with such meanings. The proceeds of the Loans are to be used
solely for commercial paper backstop and general corporate purposes of a
Borrower.

      Section 5.11   Environmental Warranties. Except as previously disclosed
in the SEC Disclosure Documents, as of the Closing Date:

      (a)   all facilities and Property (including underlying groundwater)
owned, operated or leased by the Borrowers are in material compliance with all
Environmental Laws, except for such instances of noncompliance as are unlikely,
singly or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect;

      (b)   there have been no past, and there are no pending or threatened:

            (i)   claims, complaints, notices or requests for information
      received by the Borrowers with respect to any alleged violation of any
      Environmental Law or,

            (ii)  complaints, notices or inquiries to the Borrowers regarding
      potential liability under any Environmental Law;

      except as are unlikely, singly or in the aggregate, to have a Material
      Adverse Effect;

      (c)   there have been no Releases of Hazardous Materials at, on or under
any Property now or previously owned, operated or leased by the Borrowers that,
singly or in the aggregate, are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect;

      (d)   the Borrowers have been issued and are in material compliance with
all permits, certificates, approvals, licenses and other authorizations relating
to environmental matters and necessary for their businesses, except where the
failure to maintain or comply with any of the


                                       27

<PAGE>

foregoing is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect during the
term of this Agreement;

      (e)   there are no underground storage tanks, active or abandoned,
including petroleum storage tanks, on or under any Property now or previously
owned, operated or leased by the Borrowers, singly or in aggregate, that are
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

      (f)   neither of the Borrowers has directly transported or directly
arranged for the transportation of any Hazardous Material to any location which
is listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List pursuant to
CERCLA, on the CERCLIS or on any similar state list or which is the subject of
Federal, state or local enforcement actions or other investigations which may
lead to material claims against either Borrower for any remedial work, damage
to natural resources or personal injury, including claims under CERCLA that,
singly or in the aggregate, are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect during the term of this Agreement;

      (g)   there are no polychlorinated biphenyls or friable asbestos present
at any Property now or previously owned, operated or leased by the Borrowers
that, singly or in the aggregate, are reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect during the term of this Agreement; and

      (h)   no conditions exist at, on or under any Property now or previously
owned or leased by either of the Borrowers which, with the passage of time, or
the giving of notice or both, would give rise to liability under any
Environmental Law, which would have a Material Adverse Effect during the term
of this Agreement.

      Section 5.12   Ownership of Property; Liens. Each Borrower and each
Subsidiary of such Borrower has good title to or valid leasehold interests in
all its Property, except where the failure to have such title or a valid
leasehold interest is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
None of a Borrower's or any such Subsidiary's Property is subject to any Lien,
except as permitted in Section 7.9.

      Section 5.13   Compliance with Agreements. None of the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the Notes, the consummation of the transactions
herein contemplated and compliance with the terms and provisions hereof will
conflict with or result in a breach of, or require any consent under, the
charter or by-laws of either of the Borrowers, or any applicable law or
regulation, or any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or
Governmental Authority, or any Contractual Obligation to which either Borrower
is a party or by which it is bound or to which it is subject, or constitute a
default under any such Contractual Obligation, or result in the creation or
imposition of any Lien upon any of the revenues or assets of either of the
Borrowers pursuant to the terms of any such Contractual Obligation.

      Section 5.14   Full Disclosure. All factual information heretofore or
contemporaneously furnished by or on behalf of the Borrowers in writing to the
Administrative Agent or the Lenders for purposes of or in connection with this
Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby is, and all other such factual
information hereafter furnished by or on behalf of the Borrowers will be, true
and accurate in every material respect on the date as of which such information
is dated or certified and as of the date of execution and delivery of this
Agreement by the Lenders, and


                                       28

<PAGE>

such information is not, or shall not be, as the case may be, incomplete by
omitting to state any material fact necessary to make such information not
misleading.

      Section 5.15   Solvency. Each Borrower and each of its Material
Subsidiaries, individually and on a consolidated basis, is Solvent.

SECTION 6.   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

      The obligation of each Lender to effect a Borrowing shall be subject to
the following conditions precedent:

      Section 6.1   Initial Borrowing. Before or concurrently with the initial
Borrowing:

         (a)   The Administrative Agent shall have received the favorable
      written opinion of Latham & Watkins, counsel to Borrowers;

         (b)   The Administrative Agent shall have received copies of each
      Borrower's (i) Articles of Incorporation, together with all amendments
      and (ii) bylaws (or comparable constituent documents) and any amendments
      thereto, certified in each instance by its Secretary or an Assistant
      Secretary;

         (c)   The Administrative Agent shall have received copies of
      resolutions of each Borrower's Board of Directors authorizing the
      execution and delivery of the Credit Documents and the consummation of
      the transactions contemplated thereby together with specimen signatures
      of the persons authorized to execute such documents on such Borrower's
      behalf, all certified in each instance by its Secretary or Assistant
      Secretary;

         (d)   The Administrative Agent shall have received for each Lender that
      requests a Note, such Lender's duly executed Note of each Borrower dated
      the date hereof and otherwise in compliance with the provisions of Section
      2.9(a) hereof;

         (e)   The Administrative Agent shall have received a duly executed
      counterpart of this Agreement from each of the Lenders and the Borrowers;

         (f)   The Administrative Agent shall have received a duly executed
      Compliance Certificate containing financial information as of
      June 30, 2005;

         (g)   Neither Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries shall have, during
      the period from June 30, 2005 to the Closing Date, issued, incurred,
      assumed, created, become liable for, contingently or otherwise, any
      material Indebtedness other than the issuance of commercial paper
      consistent with past practices;

         (h)   The Borrower shall have paid to each Lender the applicable fees
      for providing its Commitment under this Agreement;

         (i)   The Existing Agreement shall have been terminated and all
      obligations owing thereunder shall have been repaid in full. By their
      execution hereof, the Borrowers


                                       29

<PAGE>

      and each Lender that is party to the Agreement hereby agree that such
      agreement is terminated; and

         (j)   The Administrative Agent shall have received such other documents
      and information as it may reasonably request.

      By executing this Agreement, the Administrative Agent and each of the
Lenders agrees that each condition set forth in this Section 6.1 has been
satisfied.

      Section 6.2   All Borrowings. As of the time of each Borrowing hereunder
(other than the continuation of a Eurodollar Loan or the conversion of a Base
Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Loan or a Eurodollar Loan to a Base Rate Loan):

         (a)   The Administrative Agent shall have received the notice required
      by Section 2.4 hereof;

         (b)   Each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5
      hereof shall be and remain true and correct in all material respects as
      of said time, except that if any such representation or warranty relates
      solely to an earlier date it need only remain true as of such date
      (including, but not limited to, the representations and warranties set
      forth in the last sentence of Section 5.4 and in Sections 5.5(a) and 5.11,
      which shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing
      Date only);

         (c)   No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
      continuing or would occur as a result of such Borrowing;

         (d)   Each request for a Borrowing shall be deemed to be a
      representation and warranty by Borrower on the date of such Borrowing as
      to the facts specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 6.2; and

         (e)   If the proceeds of any such Borrowing by Nicor Gas are to be used
      in whole or in part to renew or refund any other note or other evidence of
      indebtedness of Nicor Gas payable at periods of not more than twelve (12)
      months after the date of issuance (including, without limitation, any
      prior Borrowing by Nicor Gas), unless requisite Illinois Commerce
      Commission approval has been obtained, the Applicable Repayment Date for
      such new Borrowing shall not be more than two years after the date such
      renewed or refunded indebtedness was originally advanced.

SECTION 7.   COVENANTS.

      Each Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any Note or Loan is
outstanding hereunder, or any Commitment is available to or in use by a Borrower
hereunder, except to the extent compliance in any case is waived in writing by
the Required Lenders:

      Section 7.1   Corporate Existence; Material Subsidiaries. Each of the
Borrowers shall, and shall cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, preserve
and maintain its corporate existence and all of its material rights, privileges
and franchises if failure to maintain such existence, rights, privileges or
franchises would materially and adversely affect the financial condition or


                                       30

<PAGE>

operations of, or the business taken as a whole, of the Borrowers. Together with
any financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.6 hereof, Borrower
shall deliver an updated Schedule 5.2 to reflect any changes from the existing
Schedule 5.2.

      Section 7.2   Maintenance. Each Borrower will maintain all of its
Properties used or useful in its business in good working order and condition,
ordinary wear and tear excepted, except where the failure to maintain such
Property is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

      Section 7.3   Taxes. Each Borrower will pay and discharge all taxes,
assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed on it or on its income
or profits or on any of its Property prior to the date on which penalties attach
thereto, except for any such tax, assessment, charge or levy the payment of
which is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and against
which adequate reserves are being maintained.

      Section 7.4   ERISA. Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, promptly pay and discharge all obligations and liabilities
arising under ERISA of a character which if unpaid or unperformed is reasonably
likely to result in the imposition of a Lien against any of its Properties.

      Section 7.5   Insurance. Each Borrower will keep insured by financially
sound and reputable insurers all Property of a character usually insured by
corporations engaged in the same or similar business similarly situated against
loss or damage of the kinds and in the amounts customarily insured against by
such corporations and carry such other insurance as is usually carried by such
corporations. Borrowers will, upon request of a Lender, furnish to such Lender a
summary setting forth the nature and extent of the insurance maintained pursuant
to this Section 7.5.

      Section 7.6   Financial Reports and Other Information. (a) Each Borrower
will maintain a system of accounting in accordance with GAAP and will furnish
to the Lenders and their respective duly authorized representatives such
information respecting the business and financial condition of the Borrowers
and their Subsidiaries as any Lender may reasonably request. The Borrowers shall
deliver (via email or otherwise) to the Administrative Agent in form and detail
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, with copies for each Lender in form
and substance satisfactory to them, each of the following:

         (i)   as soon as available and in any event within 95 days after the
      end of each fiscal year of Nicor, consolidated statements of income,
      common stockholders' equity, cash flows, and income taxes of Nicor for
      such year and the related consolidated balance sheet and statement of
      capitalization at the end of such year, setting forth in each case in
      comparative form the corresponding figures for the preceding fiscal
      year, and accompanied by an opinion thereon of independent certified
      public accountants of recognized national standing, which opinion shall
      state that said financial statements fairly present the consolidated
      financial position and results of operations and cash flows of Nicor and
      its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of, and for, such fiscal
      year, and otherwise be without any Impermissible Qualification; provided
      that if Nicor files its annual report on Form 10-K for the applicable
      annual period, and such annual report


                                       31

<PAGE>

      contains the financial statements and accountants certifications, opinions
      and statements described above, Nicor may satisfy the requirements of this
      Section 7.6(a)(i) by delivering a copy of such annual report to each
      Lender;

         (ii)   as soon as available and in any event within 50 days after the
      end of each of the first three fiscal quarterly periods of each fiscal
      year of Nicor, consolidated statements of income of Nicor for such period
      and for the period from the beginning of the respective fiscal year to the
      end of such period, and consolidated cash flows for the period from the
      beginning of the respective fiscal year to the end of such period, and the
      related consolidated balance sheet as at the end of such period, all of
      the foregoing prepared by Nicor in reasonable detail in accordance with
      GAAP and certified by Nicor's Chief Financial Officer, Vice-President -
      Controller, or Vice President - Treasurer as fairly presenting the
      financial condition as at the dates thereof and the results of operations
      for the periods covered thereby (except for the absence of footnotes and
      year-end adjustments); provided that if Nicor files a Form 10-Q for the
      applicable quarterly period, and such quarterly report contains the
      financial statements and certifications described above, the Nicor may
      satisfy the requirements of this Section 7.6(a)(ii) by delivering a copy
      of such quarterly report to each Lender.

      (b)   Each financial statement furnished to the Lenders pursuant to
subsection (i) or (ii) of this Section 7.6 shall be accompanied by a Compliance
Certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto signed by the Chief Financial
Officer, Vice President - Controller, or Vice-President - Treasurer of Nicor.

      (c)   Borrowers will promptly (and in any event within five Business Days
after an officer of a Borrower has knowledge thereof) give notice to the
Administrative Agent of (i) any Default or Event of Default of which either
Borrower has knowledge, including in such notice a description of the same in
reasonable detail, and indicating what action is being undertaken with respect
to such Default or Event of Default; and (ii) any event or condition which in
the opinion of a Borrower could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

      (d)   Promptly upon their becoming available, and without duplication of
the other materials required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement, Nicor
will deliver (via email or otherwise) to the Administrative Agent, with copies
for each Lender, copies of all registration statements, regular periodic
reports, if any, and SEC Disclosure Documents which Nicor shall have filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any governmental agency substituted
therefor) or any national securities exchange.

      (e)   Promptly upon the mailing thereof to the shareholders of Nicor
generally, and without duplication of the other materials required to be
delivered pursuant to this Agreement, Nicor will deliver to the Administrative
Agent, with copies for each Lender, copies of all financial statements, reports
and proxy statements so mailed.

      (f)   Immediately upon becoming aware of the institution of any steps by
Nicor or any other Person to terminate any Pension Plan or the complete or
partial withdrawal from any Pension Plan by Nicor or any member of its
Controlled Group which could result in a liability to Nicor or any of its
Subsidiaries of a liability in excess of $20,000,000, or the failure to make a


                                       32

<PAGE>

required contribution to any Pension Plan if such failure is sufficient to give
rise to a Lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA securing an amount in excess of
$20,000,000, or the taking of any action with respect to a Pension Plan which
could result in the requirement that either Borrower furnish a bond or other
security to the PBGC or such Pension Plan in excess of $20,000,000, or the
occurrence of any event with respect to any Pension Plan which could result in
the incurrence by either Borrower of any material liability, fine or penalty, or
any material increase in the contingent liability of either Borrower with
respect to any post-retirement Welfare Plan benefit, notice thereof and copies
of all documentation relating thereto.

      (g)   From time to time such other information regarding the business or
financial condition of a Borrower as the Administrative Agent or a Lender may
reasonably request.

      Section 7.7   Lender Inspection Rights. For purposes of confirming
compliance with the Credit Documents or after the occurrence and during the
continuance of an Event of Default, upon reasonable notice from the
Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, Borrowers will, permit the Lenders
(and such Persons as any Lender may designate) during normal business hours to
visit and inspect, under Borrowers' guidance, any of the Properties of Borrowers
or any of their Subsidiaries, to examine all of their books of account, records,
reports and other papers, to make copies and extracts therefrom, and to discuss
their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers,
employees and with their independent public accountants (and by this provision
Borrowers authorize such accountants to discuss with the Lenders (and such
Persons as any Lender may designate) the finances and affairs of Borrowers and
their Subsidiaries) all at such reasonable times and as often as may be
reasonably requested; provided, however, that except upon the occurrence and
during the continuation of any Default or Event of Default, not more than one
such visit and inspection may be conducted in any twelve month period. Prior to
the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Borrowers shall only be required to
pay the costs and expenses of professionals retained by the Administrative Agent
in connection with any such visit or inspection. After the occurrence of an
Event of Default, the Borrowers shall be obligated to pay all reasonable costs
and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in connection
with such visitations and inspections. The Borrowers shall receive advance
notice of any proposed discussion with such accountants and shall have the right
to participate therein.

      Section 7.8   Conduct of Business. Neither Borrower will engage in any
material line of business materially unrelated to the lines of business in which
the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries are engaged on the Closing Date.

      Section 7.9   Liens. Neither Borrower will, nor will it permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, create, incur, permit to exist any Lien on any Property owned
by such Borrower or any Subsidiary of such Borrower; provided, however, that
this Section 7.9 shall not apply to or operate to prevent:

         (a)   Liens arising by operation of law in respect of Property of a
      Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which are incurred in the ordinary
      course of business which do not in the aggregate materially detract from
      the value of such Property or materially impair the use thereof in the
      operation of the business of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;


                                       33

<PAGE>

         (b)   Liens for taxes or assessments or other government charges or
      levies on a Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower or their respective
      Properties which are not past due or which are being contested in good
      faith by appropriate proceedings and for which reserves in conformity
      with GAAP have been provided on the books of a Borrower; provided that
      the aggregate amount of liabilities (including interest and penalties,
      if any) of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries secured by such Liens
      shall not exceed $20,000,000 at any one time outstanding;

         (c)   Liens arising out of judgments or awards against a Borrower or
      any Subsidiary of a Borrower, or in connection with surety or appeal bonds
      in connection with bonding such judgments or awards, the time for appeal
      from which or petition for rehearing of which shall not have expired or
      with respect to which such Borrower or such Subsidiary shall be
      prosecuting an appeal or proceeding for review, and with respect to
      which it shall have obtained a stay of execution pending such appeal or
      proceeding for review; provided that the aggregate amount of liabilities
      (including interest and penalties, if any) of Borrower and its
      Subsidiaries secured by such Liens shall not exceed $20,000,000 at any
      one time outstanding;

         (d)   Survey exceptions or encumbrances, easements or reservations, or
      rights of others for rights-of-way, utilities and other similar purposes,
      or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real Properties which do
      not materially impair their use in the operation of the business of a
      Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower;

         (e)   Liens existing on the date hereof and Liens granted pursuant to
      the terms of the Nicor Gas Indenture;

         (f)   Liens securing Indebtedness and other obligations; provided that
      such Liens permitted by this paragraph (f) shall only be permitted to the
      extent the aggregate amount of Indebtedness and other obligations secured
      by all such Liens does not exceed ten percent (10%) of the difference
      between (A) Consolidated Assets as reflected on the most recent balance
      sheet delivered by Nicor pursuant to Section 7.6, minus (B) the amount
      of Indebtedness then outstanding under the Nicor Gas Indenture;

         (g)   Liens in favor of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen
      and landlords granted in the ordinary course of business for amounts not
      overdue or being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate
      proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP shall
      have been set aside on its books;

         (h)   Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of
      business in connection with worker's compensation, unemployment insurance
      or other forms of governmental insurance or benefits;

         (i)   Liens with respect to any surplus assets leased by either
      Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

         (j)   Any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions,
      renewals or replacements) in whole or in part of any Lien referred to in
      the foregoing paragraphs (a) through (i), inclusive; provided, however,
      that the principal amount of


                                       34

<PAGE>

      Indebtedness secured thereby shall not exceed the principal amount of
      Indebtedness so secured at the time of such extension, renewal or
      replacement, and that such extension, renewal or replacement shall be
      limited to the Property which was subject to the Lien so extended,
      renewed or replaced;

      provided, that the foregoing paragraphs shall not be deemed under any
circumstance to permit a Lien to exist on (i) any capital stock or other equity
interests of Nicor Gas or (ii) Nicor Gas' natural gas inventory or any
receivables arising from the sale of such inventory.

      Any Lien which when incurred or permitted to exist complies with the
requirements of paragraphs (a) through (j) above may continue to exist, and
shall be permitted hereunder, notwithstanding that such Lien if incurred
thereafter would not comply with such requirement.

      Section 7.10   Use of Proceeds; Regulation U. The proceeds of each
Borrowing will be used by a Borrower solely for general corporate purposes of
such Borrower. Neither Borrower will use any part of the proceeds of any of the
Borrowings directly or indirectly to purchase or carry any margin stock (as
defined in Section 5.10 hereof) or to extend credit to others for the purpose
of purchasing or carrying any such margin stock.

      Section 7.11   Mergers, Consolidations and Sales of Assets. Neither
Borrower will, nor will it permit any of its Material Subsidiaries to, (i)
consolidate with or be a party to merger with any other Person or (ii) sell,
lease or otherwise dispose of all or a "substantial part" of the assets of such
Borrower and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that (w) the foregoing shall
not prohibit any sale, lease, transfer or disposition to which the Required
Lenders have consented, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld if (A)
such transaction does not result in a downgrade of either Borrower's S&P Rating
or Moody's Rating, (B) such transaction is for cash consideration (or other
consideration acceptable to the Required Lenders) in an amount not less than the
fair market value of the applicable assets, and (C) such transaction, when
combined with all other such transactions, would not have a Material Adverse
Effect, taken as a whole, (x) any Subsidiary of a Borrower may merge or
consolidate with or into or sell, lease or otherwise convey all or a substantial
part of its assets to a Borrower or any Subsidiary of which a Borrower holds
(directly or indirectly) at least the same percentage equity ownership; provided
that in any such merger or consolidation involving a Borrower, such Borrower
shall be the surviving or continuing corporation, and (y) a Borrower and its
Subsidiaries may sell inventory in the ordinary course of business.

      As used in this Section 7.11, a sale, lease, transfer or disposition of
assets during any fiscal year shall be deemed to be of a "substantial part" of
the consolidated assets of a Borrower and its Subsidiaries if the net book value
of such assets, when added to the net book value of all other assets sold,
leased, transferred or disposed of by such Borrower and its Subsidiaries during
such fiscal year (other than obsolete or surplus Property and inventory in the
ordinary course of business) exceeds ten percent (10%) of the total assets of
such Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis as of the
last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year.

      Section 7.12   Environmental Matters. Each of the Borrowers will:


                                       35

<PAGE>

         (a)   use and operate all of its facilities and Properties in
      compliance with all Environmental Laws except for such noncompliance
      which, singly or in the aggregate, will not have a Material Adverse
      Effect, keep all necessary permits, approvals, certificates, licenses and
      other authorizations relating to environmental matters in effect and
      remain in compliance therewith, except where the failure to keep such
      permits, approvals, certificates, licenses or other authorizations, or
      any noncompliance with the provisions thereof, will not have a Material
      Adverse Effect, and handle all Hazardous Materials in compliance with
      all applicable Environmental Laws, except for any noncompliance that
      will not have a Material Adverse Effect; and

         (b)   promptly notify the Administrative Agent and provide copies upon
      receipt of all written inquiries from any Governmental Authority, claims,
      complaints or notices relating to the condition of its facilities and
      Properties or compliance with Environmental Laws which will have a
      Material Adverse Effect.

      Section 7.13   Investments, Acquisitions, Loans, Advances and Guaranties.
Neither Borrower will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary of such Borrower to,
directly or indirectly, make, retain or have outstanding any investments
(whether through purchase of stock or obligations or otherwise) in, or loans or
advances to, any other Person, or acquire all or any substantial part of the
assets or business of any other Person or division thereof, or be or become
liable as endorser, guarantor, surety or otherwise (such as liability as a
general partner) for any debt, obligation or undertaking of any other Person, or
otherwise agree to provide funds for payment of the obligations of another, or
supply funds thereto or invest therein or otherwise assure a creditor of another
against loss, or apply for or become liable to the issuer of a letter of credit
which supports an obligation of another, or subordinate any claim or demand it
may have to the claim or demand of any other Person (cumulatively, all of the
foregoing "Investments"); provided, however, that the foregoing provisions shall
not apply to nor operate to prevent:

         (a)   investments permitted by the Borrowers' corporate investment
      policy attached hereto as Schedule 7.13;

         (b)   ownership of stock, obligations or securities received in
      settlement of debts owing to a Borrower or any Subsidiary;

         (c)   endorsements of negotiable instruments for collection in the
      ordinary course of business;

         (d)   loans and advances to employees in the ordinary course of
      business for travel, relocation, and similar purposes;

         (e)   Investments (i) in or with respect to either Borrower or any
      Subsidiary of either Borrower, including intercompany loans, provided
      that any intercompany loans to a Borrower must be subordinated to the
      Obligations on terms reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent,
      or (ii) existing on the Closing Date;

         (f)   Investments constituting (i) accounts receivable arising, (ii)
      trade debt granted, or (iii) deposits made in connection with the purchase
      price of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of
      business;


                                       36

<PAGE>

         (g)   Investments in Persons engaged in substantially the same lines of
      business as the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries so long as, unless
      consented to by the Required Lenders, (i) no downgrade in the S&P Rating
      or Moody's Rating would occur as a result of the consummation of such
      Investment, (ii) if such Investment is for the purpose of acquiring
      another Person, the Board of Directors (or similar governing body) of
      such Person being acquired has approved being so acquired, and (iii) no
      Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time
      of, or would occur as a result of, such Investment; and

         (h)   Guarantees by either Borrower or any of their respective
      Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness (so long as such Indebtedness is
      permitted pursuant to Section 7.14) or other obligations of either
      Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries;

         (i)   Investments, whether directly or indirectly through one or more
      Subsidiaries, in Triton Container Investments LLC, a cargo container
      leasing business, made after the Closing Date in an aggregate amount not
      to exceed $20,000,000 in any one year (with the Closing Date and each
      anniversary thereof being deemed the first day of a year for calculating
      compliance with this provision) and

         (j)   other Investments in addition to those set forth above not to
      exceed an aggregate amount of (i) $20,000,000 in any one year (with the
      Closing Date and each anniversary thereof being deemed the first day of
      a year for calculating compliance with this provision), and (ii)
      $100,000,000 during the term of this Agreement.

      Any Investment which when made complies with the requirements of
paragraphs (a) through (i) above may continue to be held notwithstanding that
such Investment if made thereafter would not comply with such requirements;

      In determining the amount of investments, acquisitions, loans, advances
and guarantees permitted under this Section 7.13, investments and acquisitions
shall always be taken at the original cost thereof (regardless of any subsequent
appreciation or depreciation therein), loans and advances shall be taken at the
principal amount thereof then remaining unpaid, and guarantees shall be taken at
the amount of obligations guaranteed thereby.

      Section 7.14   Restrictions on Indebtedness. Neither Borrower will, nor
will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, issue, incur, assume, create, become
liable for, contingently or otherwise, or have outstanding any Indebtedness,
provided that the foregoing provisions shall not restrict nor operate to prevent
the following Indebtedness:

         (a)   the Obligations;

         (b)   any other Indebtedness so long as after giving effect to the
      incurrence thereof the Borrowers shall be in compliance with the Leverage
      Ratio set forth in Section 7.15, provided that intercompany loans owing by
      a Borrower are permitted only so long as such loans are subordinated to
      the Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
      Agent.


                                       37

<PAGE>

      Section 7.15   Leverage Ratio. Nicor will not at the end of any fiscal
quarter permit the ratio of its Consolidated Indebtedness to its Capital to
exceed 0:70 to 1:00.

      Section 7.16   [Intentionally Omitted].

      Section 7.17   Dividends and Other Shareholder Distributions. (a) Neither
Borrower shall (i) declare or pay any dividends or make a distribution of any
kind (including by redemption or purchase) on or relating to its outstanding
capital stock, or (ii) repay (directly, through sinking fund payments or
otherwise) any Indebtedness or other obligations owing to an Affiliate unless
in either circumstance no Default or Event of Default exists prior to or would
result after giving effect to such action; provided that nothing in this Section
shall prohibit either Borrower from paying a dividend which was declared as
otherwise permitted hereby.

      (b)   Except as set forth on Schedule 7.17, neither Borrower will permit
any of its Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to create or otherwise cause or
suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of
any kind on the ability of any such Subsidiary to: (1) pay dividends or make any
other distribution on any of such Subsidiary's capital stock owned by a Borrower
or any Subsidiary of a Borrower, (2) pay any Indebtedness owed to a Borrower or
any other Subsidiary, (3) make loans or advances to a Borrower or any other
Subsidiary, or (4) transfer any of its Property or assets to a Borrower or any
other Subsidiary; provided, however, in the case of any consensual Liens that
are permitted pursuant to Section 7.9, the Lien holder may, solely with respect
to the assets or property to which such Lien attaches, contract for and receive
a negative pledge and restrictions on transfer with respect thereto and the
proceeds thereof.

      Section 7.18   No Negative Pledges. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.17,
the Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to enter
into or suffer to exist any agreement (except the Credit Documents) prohibiting
the creation or assumption of any security interest upon its properties or
assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrowers; provided,
however, in the case of a consensual Lien on assets or property that is
permitted pursuant to Section 7.9, the Lien holder may, solely with respect of
the assets or property to which such Lien attaches, contract for and receive a
negative pledge with respect thereto and the proceeds thereof.

      Section 7.19   Transactions with Affiliates. Neither Borrower will, nor
will they permit any of their Subsidiaries to, enter into or be a party to any
material transaction or arrangement with any Affiliate of such Person, including
without limitation, for purchase from, sale to or exchange of Property with, for
merger or consolidation with or into, or the rendering of any service by or for,
any Affiliate, except (i) pursuant to the reasonable requirements of a
Borrower's or such Subsidiary's business and upon terms no less favorable to a
Borrower or such Subsidiary than could be obtained in a similar transaction
involving a third-party or (ii) as otherwise permitted in this Agreement.

      Section 7.20   Compliance with Laws. Each Borrower will comply with the
requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of any
Governmental Authority if failure to comply with such requirements would result
in a Material Adverse Effect.


                                       38

<PAGE>

      Section 7.21   Derivative Obligation. Neither Borrower will, nor will it
permit any of its Subsidiaries, to enter into any Derivative Obligations other
than Permitted Derivative Obligations.

      Section 7.22   Sales and Leasebacks. Neither Borrower will, nor will it
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement with any bank,
insurance company or other lender or investor providing for the leasing by a
Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower of any Property theretofore owned by it
and which has been or is to be sold or transferred by such owner to such lender
or investor if the total amount of rent and other obligations of the Borrowers
and their Subsidiaries under such lease, when combined with all rent and other
obligations of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries under all such leases, would
exceed $50,000,000.

      Section 7.23   OFAC; BSA. The Borrowers will ensure, and cause each of its
Subsidiaries to ensure, that each person who owns a controlling interest in or
otherwise controls a Borrower (a) is not nor shall it be (i) listed on the
Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Person List maintained by the Office
of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC"), Department of the Treasury, and/or any other
similar lists maintained by OFAC pursuant to any authorizing statute, Executive
Order or regulation or (ii) a person designated under Section 1(b), (c) or (d)
of Executive Order No. 13224 (September 23, 2001), any related enabling
legislation or any other similar Executive Orders, and (b) complies with all
applicable Bank Secrecy Act ("BSA") and anti-money laundering laws and
regulations.

SECTION 8.   EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.

      Section 8.1   Events  of  Default. Any one or more of the following shall
constitute an Event of Default:

         (a)   (i) default in the payment when due of any fees, interest or of
      any other Obligation not covered by clause (ii) below and such payment
      default continues for three (3) Business Days or (ii) default in the
      payment when due of the principal amount of any Loan;

         (b)   default by a Borrower in the observance or performance of any
      covenant set forth in Section 7.1, Section 7.6(c), Sections 7.10, 7.11,
      Sections 7.13 through 7.17, and Section 7.21 hereof;

         (c)   default by a Borrower in the observance or performance of any
      provision hereof or of any other Credit Document not mentioned in (a) or
      (b) above, which is not remedied within thirty (30) days after notice
      thereof shall have been given to the Borrowers by the Administrative
      Agent;

         (d)   (i) failure to pay when due Indebtedness in an aggregate
      principal amount of (x) $20,000,000 or more of a Borrower or any Material
      Subsidiary, or (ii) default shall occur under one or more indentures,
      agreements or other instruments under which any Indebtedness of a
      Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal
      amount of $20,000,000 or more is outstanding and such default shall
      continue for a period of time sufficient to permit the holder or
      beneficiary of such Indebtedness or a


                                       39

<PAGE>

      trustee  therefor  to cause the acceleration of the maturity of any such
      Indebtedness or any mandatory unscheduled prepayment, purchase or funding
      thereof;

         (e)   any representation or warranty made herein or in any other Credit
      Document by a Borrower, or in any certificate furnished pursuant to any
      Credit Document by a Borrower proves untrue in any material respect as of
      the date of the issuance or making, or deemed making or issuance, thereof;

         (f)   a Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall (i) fail to pay its
      debts generally as they become due or admit in writing its inability to
      pay its debts generally as they become due, (ii) make an assignment for
      the benefit of creditors, (iii) apply for, seek, consent to, or acquiesce
      in, the appointment of a receiver, custodian, trustee, examiner,
      liquidator or similar official for it or any substantial part of its
      Property, (iv) institute any proceeding seeking to have entered against
      it an order for relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code, as
      amended, to adjudicate it insolvent, or seeking dissolution, winding up,
      liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of
      it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or
      reorganization or relief of debtors or fail to file an answer or other
      pleading denying the material allegations of any such proceeding filed
      against it or any analogous action is taken under any other applicable
      law relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, (v) take any corporate action
      (such as the passage by its board of directors of a resolution) in
      furtherance of any matter described in parts (i)-(iv) above, or (vi)
      fail to contest in good faith any appointment or proceeding described in
      Section 8.1(g) hereof;

         (g)   a custodian, receiver, trustee, examiner, liquidator or similar
      official shall be appointed for a Borrower or any Material Subsidiary, or
      any substantial part of the Property of a Borrower or a Material
      Subsidiary, or a proceeding described in Section 8.1(f)(iv) shall be
      instituted against a Borrower or any Material Subsidiary, and such
      appointment continues undischarged or such proceeding continues
      undismissed or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days;

         (h)   a Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall fail within thirty
      (30) days to pay, bond or otherwise discharge any judgment or order for
      the payment of money in excess of $20,000,000, which is not stayed on
      appeal or otherwise being appropriately contested in good faith in a
      manner that stays execution thereon;

         (i)   (i) a Borrower or any other member of the Controlled Group shall
      fail to pay to the PBGC or any Pension Plan any amount or amounts
      aggregating in excess of $20,000,000 when due, which if remain unpaid
      could reasonably result in a Lien against Borrowers, (ii) a notice of
      intent to terminate a Pension Plan or Pension Plans at a single time
      having aggregate Unfunded Vested Liabilities in excess of $20,000,000
      (collectively, a "Material Plan") shall be filed by the sponsor of such
      Pension Plan and it could reasonably be expected that a Borrower shall
      have liability for any Unfunded Vested Liabilities in excess of
      $20,000,000 or (iii) the PBGC shall institute proceedings to terminate
      or cause a trustee to be appointed to administer any Material Plan and
      it reasonably could be expected to result in liability to the Borrowers
      in excess of $20,000,000;


                                       40

<PAGE>

         (j)   a Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower or any Person acting
      on behalf of a Borrower, a Subsidiary or any governmental authority
      challenges the validity of this Agreement, the Fee Letters or the Notes
      or a Borrower's or one of its Subsidiary's obligations thereunder;

         (k)   a Change of Control Event shall have occurred; or

         (l)   a Borrower shall for any reason cease to be wholly liable for
      the full amount of the Obligations owing by it.

      Section 8.2   Non-Bankruptcy Defaults. When any Event of Default other
than those described in subsections (f) or (g) of Section 8.1 hereof has
occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, if so directed by
the Required Lenders, by written notice to Borrowers: (a) terminate the
remaining Commitments and all other obligations of the Lenders hereunder on the
date stated in such notice (which may be the date thereof); and (b) declare the
principal of and the accrued interest on all outstanding Loans to be forthwith
due and payable and thereupon all outstanding Loans, including both principal
and interest thereon, and all other Obligations, shall be and become immediately
due and payable together with all other amounts payable under the Credit
Documents without further demand, presentment, protest or notice of any kind,
all of which are hereby waived by each Borrower. The Administrative Agent, after
giving notice to Borrowers pursuant to Section 8.1(c) or this Section 8.2, shall
also promptly send a copy of such notice to the other Lenders, but the failure
to do so shall not impair or annul the effect of such notice.

      Section 8.3   Bankruptcy Defaults. When any Event of Default described in
subsections (f) or (g) of Section 8.1 hereof has occurred and is continuing,
then all outstanding Loans, including both interest and principal thereon, and
all other Obligations shall immediately become due and payable together with all
other amounts payable under the Credit Documents without presentment, demand,
protest or notice of any kind, the obligation of the Lenders to extend further
credit pursuant to any of the terms hereof shall immediately terminate.

SECTION 9.   CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES; TAXES.

      Section 9.1   Change of Law. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
Agreement or any Note, if at any time after the date hereof any change in
applicable law or regulation or in the interpretation thereof makes it unlawful
for any Lender to make or continue to maintain Eurodollar Loans or to perform
its obligations as contemplated hereby, such Lender shall promptly give notice
thereof to the Borrowers and such Lender's obligations to make or maintain
Eurodollar Loans under this Agreement shall terminate until it is no longer
unlawful for such Lender to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans. The applicable
Borrower shall convert the outstanding principal amount of any such affected
Eurodollar Loans of such Lender into a Base Rate Loan and on the date of such
conversion pay to such Lender all interest accrued thereon at a rate per annum
equal to the interest rate applicable to such Eurodollar Loan. Thereafter,
subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, such Borrower may
then elect to borrow the principal amount of any Eurodollar Loans from such
Lender by means of Base Rate Loans from such Lender, which Base Rate Loans shall
not be made ratably by the Lenders but only from such affected Lender.


                                       41

<PAGE>

      Section 9.2   Unavailability of Deposits or Inability to Ascertain, or
Inadequacy of, LIBOR. If on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period
for any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans:

         (a)   the Administrative Agent determines that deposits in U.S. Dollars
      (in the applicable amounts) are not being offered to major banks in the
      eurodollar interbank market for such Interest Period, or that by reason
      of circumstances affecting the interbank eurodollar market adequate and
      reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable LIBOR, or

         (b)   Lenders having more than 33% percent of the aggregate amount of
      the Commitments reasonably determine and so advise the Administrative
      Agent that LIBOR as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent
      will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders or Lender
      of funding their or its Eurodollar Loans or Loan for such Interest Period,

then the Administrative Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to the
Borrowers and the Lenders, whereupon until the Administrative Agent notifies the
Borrowers that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no longer exist,
the obligations of the Lenders or of the relevant Lender to make Eurodollar
Loans shall be suspended.

      Section 9.3   Increased Costs.

      (a)   Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

         (i)   impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit,
      compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets
      of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender
      (except any reserve requirement reflected in Adjusted LIBOR);

         (ii)  subject any Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect
      to this Agreement or any Eurodollar Loan made by it, or change the basis
      of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect thereof (except for
      Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes covered by Section 9.4 and any changes
      relating to any Excluded Tax payable by such Lender); or

         (iii) impose on any Lender any other condition, cost or expense
      affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender
      hereunder;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such
Lender of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Loan (or of maintaining its
obligation to make any such Loan), or to reduce the amount of any sum received
or receivable by such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any
other amount), then upon request of such Lender the Borrowers will pay to such
Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such
additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

      (b)   Capital Requirements. If any Lender determines that any Change in
Law affecting such Lender or any lending office of such Lender or such Lender's
holding company, if


                                       42

<PAGE>

any, regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing
the rate of return on such Lender's capital or on the capital of such Lender's
holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of
such Lender or the Loans made by, such Lender to a level below that which such
Lender or such Lender's holding company could have achieved but for such Change
in Law (taking into consideration such Lender's policies and the policies of
such Lender's holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time
to time the Borrowers will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts
as will compensate such Lender or such Lender's holding company for any such
reduction suffered.

      (c)   Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender setting
forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding
company as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to
the Borrowers shall be prima facie evidence of such costs absent manifest error.
The Borrowers shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such
certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

      (d)   Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to
demand compensation pursuant to this Section 9.3 shall not constitute a waiver
of such Lender's right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrowers
shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section for any
increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than nine months prior to
the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise
to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender's intention to claim
compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such
increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine-month period
referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect
thereof).

      Section 9.4   Taxes.

      (a)   Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of
any obligation of the Borrowers hereunder or under any other Credit Document
shall be made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any
Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if a Borrower shall be required
by applicable law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes (including any Other Taxes)
from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so
that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to
additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent or Lender
receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such
deductions been made, (ii) such Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii)
such Borrower shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant
Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

      (b)   Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrowers. Without limiting the
provisions of paragraph (a) above, the applicable Borrower shall timely pay any
Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority related to its obligations
under this Agreement in accordance with applicable law.

      (c)   Indemnification by the Borrowers. Each Borrower severally shall
indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender within 10 days after demand
therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including
Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to
amounts payable under this Section) arising in connection with


                                       43

<PAGE>

payments made by such Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document paid
by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and any penalties, interest and
reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto except to the
extent that such penalties, interest and expenses are attributable to the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent or such Lender. A
certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the
applicable Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by
the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be
conclusive absent manifest error.

      (d)   Evidence of Payments. Upon the request of the Administrative Agent
and as soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes
by a Borrower to a Governmental Authority, such Borrower shall deliver to the
Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by
such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return
reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent.

      (e)   Status of Lenders. Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an
exemption from or reduction of withholding tax with respect to payments under
any Loan Document under the law of the jurisdiction in which a Borrower is
incorporated or otherwise organized or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is
a party (in each case such jurisdiction will include the United States if a
Borrower is incorporated or organized in any state thereof or the District of
Columbia), shall deliver to the Borrowers (with a copy to the Administrative
Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law or reasonably
requested by a Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and
executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments
to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding.

      Each Lender and Administrative Agent that is a United States person as
defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (each a "U.S. Lender") shall provide
prior to or on the Closing Date (or on or prior to the date it becomes a party
to this Agreement) to Borrower and, if applicable, the Administrative Agent, a
properly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 (certifying that such U.S. Lender
is entitled to an exemption from United States backup withholding tax) or any
successor form. Solely for purposes of this Section 9.4(e), a U.S. Lender shall
not include a Lender or Administrative Agent that may be treated as an exempt
recipient based on the indicators described in Treasury Regulation Section
1.6049-4(c)(1)(ii). In addition, any Lender, if requested by a Borrower or the
Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by
applicable law or reasonably requested by a Borrower or the Administrative Agent
as will enable such Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or
not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting
requirements.

      Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that a
Borrower is incorporated or otherwise organized in the United States of America
or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, any Foreign Lender shall
deliver to such Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies
as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such
Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time
thereafter upon the request of a Borrower or the Administrative Agent, but only
if such Foreign Lender is legally entitled to do so) the following documents, as
applicable:


                                       44

<PAGE>

         (i)   Duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN
      claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the
      United States of America is a party,

         (ii)  duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI,

         (iii) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the
      exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a
      certificate to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (A) a "bank"
      within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a "10 percent
      shareholder" of any Borrower within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B)
      of the Code, or (C) a "controlled foreign corporation" described in
      section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (y) duly completed copies of Internal
      Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, or

         (iv)  any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for
      claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States Federal
      withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary
      documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the
      Borrowers to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

      (f)   Treatment of Certain Refunds. If the Administrative Agent or a
Lender determines, in its reasonable discretion, that it has received a refund
of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by a Borrower
or with respect to which a Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this
Section 9.4(f), it shall pay to such Borrower an amount equal to such refund
(but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid,
by a Borrower under this Section with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving
rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative
Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any
interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such
refund); provided that a Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent
or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to such Borrower (plus any
penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental
Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the
Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such
Governmental Authority. This paragraph shall not be construed to require the
Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any
other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to a
Borrower or any other Person.

      (g)   Tax Benefit. If and to the extent that any Lender is able, in its
sole opinion, to apply or otherwise take advantage of any offsetting tax credit
or other similar tax benefit arising out of or in conjunction with any
deduction or withholding which gives rise to an obligation on the Borrower to
pay any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes pursuant to this Section 9.4, then such
Lender shall, to the extent that in its sole opinion it can do so without
prejudice to the retention of the amount of such credit or benefit and without
any other adverse tax consequences for such Lender, reimburse to the Borrower at
such time as such tax credit or benefit shall have actually been received by
such Lender such amount as such Lender shall, in its sole opinion, have
determined to be attributable to the relevant deduction or withholding and as
will leave such Lender in no better or worse position than it would have been in
if the payment of such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes had not been required.
Nothing in this Section 9.4 shall


                                       45

<PAGE>

oblige any Lender to disclose to the Borrower or any other person any
information regarding its tax affairs or tax computations.

      Section 9.5   Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

      (a)   Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests
compensation under Section 9.3, or requires a Borrower to pay any additional
amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender
pursuant to Section 9.4, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to
designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder
or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices,
branches or affiliates, if, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, such
designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant
to Section 9.3 or 9.4, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not
subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise
be materially disadvantageous to such Lender.

      (b)   Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under
Section 9.3, or if a Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any
Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to
Section 9.4, or if any Lender defaults in its obligation to fund Loans
hereunder, then the Borrowers may, at their expense and effort or, in the case
of an assignment from a Defaulting Lender, at the expense of such Defaulting
Lender, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such
Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject
to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 11.8), all
of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related
Credit Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which
assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided
that:

         (i)   the Borrowers shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the
      assignment fee specified in Section 11.8,

         (ii)  such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the
      outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees
      and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Credit
      Documents (including any amounts under Section 2.10) from the assignee (to
      the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or
      the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts),

         (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for
      compensation under Section 9.3 or payments required to be made pursuant
      to Section 9.4, such assignment will result in a reduction in such
      compensation or payments thereafter, and

         (iv)  such assignment does not conflict with applicable law.

A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if,
prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the
circumstances entitling the Borrowers to require such assignment and delegation
cease to apply.

      Section 9.6   Discretion of Lender as to Manner of Funding.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, each Lender shall be
entitled to fund and maintain its funding of all


                                       46

<PAGE>

or any part of its Loans in any manner it sees fit; it being understood,
however, that for the purposes of this Agreement all determinations hereunder
shall be made as if each Lender had actually funded and maintained each
Eurodollar Loan through the purchase of deposits in the eurodollar interbank
market having a maturity corresponding to such Loan's Interest Period and
bearing an interest rate equal to LIBOR for such Interest Period.

SECTION 10.   THE AGENT.

      Section 10.1   Appointment and Authority. Each of the Lenders hereby
irrevocably appoints JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as its agent hereunder and under
the other Credit Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such
actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the
Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions
and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Section
10 are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and
neither Borrower shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such
provisions.

      Section 10.2   Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as the
Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its
capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it
were not the Administrative Agent and the term "Lender" or "Lenders" shall,
unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires,
include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its
individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from,
lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity
for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrowers or any
Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the
Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the
Lenders.

      Section 10.3   Exculpatory Provisions. The Administrative Agent shall not
have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in
the other Credit Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the Administrative Agent:

         (a)   shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties,
      regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
      continuing,

         (b)   shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or
      exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers
      expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Credit Documents that the
      Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by
      the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the relevant
      Lenders as shall be expressly provided for under the circumstances as
      provided in this Agreement); provided that the Administrative Agent shall
      not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of
      its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is
      contrary to any Credit Document or applicable law. In all cases in which
      this Agreement and the other Credit Documents do not require the
      Administrative Agent to take certain actions, the Administrative Agent
      shall be fully justified in using its reasonable discretion in failing to
      take or in taking any action hereunder and thereunder, and


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<PAGE>

         (c)   shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other
      Credit Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for
      the failure to disclose, any information relating to either Borrower or
      any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the person
      serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any
      capacity.

The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken
by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other
number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for under the
circumstances as provided in this Agreement) or in the absence of its own gross
negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not
to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until notice
thereof is given in writing to the Administrative Agent by a Borrower or a
Lender.

The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to
ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in
or in connection with this Agreement or any other Credit Document, (ii) the
contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or
thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or
observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set
forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default,
(iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this
Agreement, any other Credit Document or any other agreement, instrument or
document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in this Agreement,
other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the
Administrative Agent.

      Section 10.4   Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent
shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying
upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document
or other writing (including any electronic message, posting or other
distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or
otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may
rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to
have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for
relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the
making of a Loan that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a
Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory
to such Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the
contrary from such Lender prior to the making of such Loan. The Administrative
Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrowers),
independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be
liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of
any such counsel, accountants or experts.

      Section 10.5   Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform
any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under
any other Credit Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by
the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may
perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or
through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this
Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the
Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective
activities in connection with


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<PAGE>

the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as
activities as Administrative Agent.

      Section 10.6   Resignation of Administrative Agent. The Administrative
Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders and the
Borrowers. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders
shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrowers (and so long as no
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, with the consent of the
Borrower), to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in
Chicago, Illinois or New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank with
an office in Chicago, Illinois, or New York, New York. If no such successor
shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted
such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives
notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may on behalf
of the Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the
qualifications set forth above; provided that if the Administrative Agent shall
notify the Borrowers and the Lenders that no such successor is willing to accept
such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in
accordance with such notice and (1) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be
discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan
Documents and (2) all payments, communications and determinations to be made by,
to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each
Lender directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor
Administrative Agent as provided for above in this paragraph. Upon the
acceptance of a successor's appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such
successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers,
privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent, and the
retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and
obligations hereunder and under the other Credit Documents (if not already
discharged therefrom as provided above in this paragraph). The fees payable by
the Borrowers to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those
payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed among the Borrowers and such
successor. After the retiring Administrative Agent's resignation hereunder and
under the other Credit Documents, the provisions of this Section 10.6 and
Section 11.11 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring
Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in
respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the
retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.

      Section 10.7   Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.
Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon
the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and
based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its
own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also
acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the
Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and
based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem
appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action
under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related
agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

      Section 10.8   No Other Duties, etc. Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, no Bookrunner nor Joint Lead-Arranger listed on the cover page
hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities in such capacity under
this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents.


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<PAGE>

SECTION 11.   MISCELLANEOUS.

      Section 11.1   No Waiver of Rights. No delay or failure on the part of the
Administrative Agent or any Lender or on the part of the holder or holders of
any Note in the exercise of any power or right under any Credit Document shall
operate as a waiver thereof, nor as an acquiescence in any default, nor shall
any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of
any other power or right. The rights and remedies hereunder of the
Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the holder or holders of any Notes are
cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies which any of them
would otherwise have.

      Section 11.2   Non-Business Day. If any payment of principal or interest
on any Loan or of any other Obligation shall fall due on a day which is not a
Business Day, interest or fees (as applicable) at the rate, if any, such Loan or
other Obligation bears for the period prior to maturity shall continue to accrue
on such Obligation from the stated due date thereof to and including the next
succeeding Business Day, on which the same shall be payable.

      Section 11.3   Survival of Representations. All representations and
warranties made herein or in certificates given pursuant hereto shall survive
the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and
shall continue in full force and effect with respect to the date as of which
they were made as long as any credit is in use or available hereunder.

      Section 11.4   Survival of Indemnities. All indemnities and all other
provisions relating to reimbursement of the Lenders of amounts sufficient to
protect the yield of the Lenders with respect to the Loans, including, but not
limited to, Section 2.10, Section 9.3, Section 9.4 and Section 11.11 hereof,
shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents
and the payment of the Loans and all other Obligations.

      Section 11.5   Set-Off; Sharing of Payments. (a) Without limitation of
any other rights of the Lenders, if an Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing, each Lender and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby
authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special,
time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and
other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender or any
such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of a Borrower against any and
all of the obligations of the Borrowers now or hereafter existing under this
Agreement or any other Credit Document to such Lender, irrespective of whether
or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other
Credit Document and although such obligations of a Borrower may be contingent or
unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender different from the
branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The
rights of each Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in
addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which
such Lender or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender agrees promptly
to notify the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent after any such setoff and
application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the
validity of such setoff and application.


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<PAGE>

      (b)   If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or
counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or
interest on any of its Loans or other obligations hereunder resulting in such
Lender's receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans
and accrued interest thereon or other such obligations greater than its
Percentage thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater
proportion shall notify the Administrative Agent of such fact and purchase (for
cash at face value) participations in the Loans and such other obligations of
the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that
all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with
their Percentages and other amounts owing them; provided that:

         (i)   if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion
      of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations
      shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such
      recovery, without interest, and

         (ii)  the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply
      to (x) any payment made by a Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with
      the express terms of this Agreement or (y) any payment obtained by a
      Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation
      in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to a
      Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof (as to which the provisions of this
      paragraph shall apply).

Each Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may
effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a
participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such
Borrower rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as
fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Borrower in the amount of
such participation.

      Section 11.6   Notices.

      (a)   Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other
communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone or email (and except
as provided in paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications
provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or
overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by
facsimile as follows:

                (i)     if to either Borrower, to:

                        1844 Ferry Road; Naperville, IL 60563
                        Attention:  George Behrens
                        Fax:  630-983-3810
                        Confirm No.: 630-983-8676 x2286

                (ii)    if to the Administrative Agent, to the address set
                        forth on Part B of Schedule 4 hereto

                        With copies of all such notices to:


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<PAGE>

                              JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
                              270 Park Avenue, 4th Floor
                              New York, NY 10017
                              Attention: Michael DeForge
                              Telephone: 212-270-1656
                              Facsimile: 212-270-3089

                (iii)   if to a Lender, to it at its address (or facsimile
                        number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or
registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received. Notices sent
by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not
given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have
been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the
recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent
provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in said
paragraph (b).

      (b)   Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the
Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication
(including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures
approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not
apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Section 2.4(b) if such Lender has
notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices
under Section 2.4(b) by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or
the Borrowers may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other
communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to
procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be
limited to particular notices or communications.

      Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and
other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the
sender's receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by
the "return receipt requested" function, as available, return e-mail or other
written acknowledgement); provided that if such notice or other communication is
not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or
communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on
the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications
posted to an internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the
deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in
the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is
available and identifying the website address therefor.

      (c)   Change of Address, Etc. Any party hereto may change its address or
facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the
other parties hereto.

      Section 11.7   Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic
Execution.

      (a)   Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be
executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different
counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which
when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and any
separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the


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<PAGE>

Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating
to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and
understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except
as provided in Section 6.1, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall
have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative
Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear
the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page
of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be effective as
delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

      (b)   Electronic Execution of Assignments. The words "execution,"
"signed," "signature," and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption
shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in
electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or
enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based
record keeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in
any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and
National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act,
or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions
Act.

      Section 11.8   Successors and Assigns.

      (a)   Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither Borrower
may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder,
without the prior written consent of each Lender and no Lender may assign or
otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an
Eligible Assignee in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this
Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of
paragraph (d) of this Section or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a
security interest subject to the restrictions of paragraph (f) of this Section
(and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be
null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be
construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their
respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent
provided in paragraph (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly
contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent
and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by
reason of this Agreement.

      (b)   Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or
more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under
this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at
the time owing to it); provided that

         (i)   except in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining
      amount of the assigning Lender's Commitment and the Loans at the time
      owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate
      of a Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to a Lender, the aggregate
      amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans
      outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in
      effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loan of the assigning
      Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the
      Assignment and Assumption with respect to


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<PAGE>

      such  assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if "Trade
      Date" is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date)
      shall not be less than $5,000,000 (and the remaining aggregate amount of
      the Commitment of such assigning Lender shall not be less than $5,000,000
      after giving effect to such assignment), unless each of the Administrative
      Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
      the Borrowers otherwise consent (each such consent not to be unreasonably
      withheld or delayed);

         (ii)  each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a
      proportionate part of all the assigning Lender's rights and obligations
      under this Agreement with respect to the Loan or the Commitment assigned;

         (iii) any assignment of a Commitment must be approved by the
      Administrative Agent unless the Person that is the proposed assignee is
      itself an Eligible Assignee, which approval shall not be unreasonably
      withheld; and

         (iv)  the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the
      Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a
      processing and recordation fee of $3,500, and the Eligible Assignee, if it
      shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an
      Administrative Questionnaire.

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant
to paragraph (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in
each Assignment and Assumption, the Eligible Assignee thereunder shall be a
party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such
Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under
this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the
interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its
obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and
Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under
this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue
to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 9.3 and 9.4 with respect to facts and
circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment. Any
assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement
that does not comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this
Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and
obligations in accordance with paragraph (d) of this Section.

      (c)   Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose
as an agent of the Borrowers, shall maintain at one of its offices in Chicago,
Illinois a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register
for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the
Commitments of, and principal amounts of the Loans owing to, each Lender
pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the "Register"). The entries in
the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent
and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register
pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this
Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be
available for inspection by the Borrowers and any Lender at any reasonable time
upon reasonable prior notice.


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<PAGE>

      (d)   Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of,
or notice to, the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to
any Person (other than a natural person or a Borrower or any of the Borrowers'
Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a "Participant") in all or a portion of such
Lender's rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a
portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such
Lender's obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such
Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the
performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrowers, the Administrative
Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such
Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under this
Agreement.

      Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a
participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to
enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of
any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may
provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree
to any amendment, modification or waiver of the type described in Section
11.9(i) that affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (e) of this Section,
the Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of
Sections 9.3 and 9.4 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired
its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. Each
Lender granting a participation under this Section 11.8(d) shall keep a
register, meeting the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 5f.103-1(c),
of each participant, specifying such participant's entitlement to payments of
principal and interest with respect to such participation.

      (e)   Limitations upon Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be
entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 9.3 and 9.4 than the
applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the
participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to
such Participant is made with the Borrowers' prior written consent. A
Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be
entitled to the benefits of Section 9.4 unless the Borrowers are notified of the
participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the
benefit of the Borrowers, to comply with Section 9.4 as though it were a Lender.

      (f)   Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a
security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to
secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation any pledge or
assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no
such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations
hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party
hereto.

      (g)   Certain Funding Arrangements. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein, any Lender (a "Granting Bank") may grant to a special
purpose funding vehicle which is an Affiliate of such Bank (a "SPC") and
identified as such in writing by the Granting Bank to the Administrative Agent
and the Borrowers, the option to provide to the Borrowers all or any part of any
Loan that such Granting Bank would otherwise be obligated to make to the
Borrowers pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall
constitute a commitment by any SPC to make any Loan and (ii) if an SPC elects
not to exercise


                                       55

<PAGE>

such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the
Granting Bank shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof.
The making of a Loan by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the
Granting Bank to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such
Granting Bank. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPC shall be liable for
any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement (all liability
for which shall remain with the Granting Bank). In furtherance of the foregoing,
each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination
of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after
the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior
indebtedness of any SPC, it will not institute against, or join any other person
in instituting against, such SPC any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement,
insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States or any
State thereof. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
in this Section 11.8(g), any SPC may (i) with notice to, but without the prior
written consent of, the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent and without
paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in
any Loans to the Granting Bank or to any financial institutions (consented to by
the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent) providing liquidity and/or credit
support to or for the account of such SPC to support the funding or maintenance
of Loans and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information
relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider
of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPC. This
section may not be amended without the written consent of the SPC.

      Section 11.9   Amendments. Any provision of the Credit Documents may be
amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is
signed by (a) the Borrowers, (b) the Required Lenders, and (c) if the rights or
duties of the Administrative Agent are affected thereby, the Administrative
Agent; provided that:

         (i)   no amendment or waiver pursuant to this Section 11.9 shall (A)
      increase, decrease or extend any Commitment of any Lender without the
      consent of such Lender or (B) reduce the amount of or postpone any fixed
      date for payment of any principal of or interest on any Loan or of any fee
      or other Obligation payable hereunder without the consent of each Lender;
      provided that the Required Lenders may waive any default interest accruing
      pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof; and

         (ii)  no amendment or waiver pursuant to this Section 11.9 shall,
      unless signed by each Lender, change this Section 11.9, or the definition
      of Required Lenders, or affect the number of Lenders required to take any
      action under the Credit Documents.

      Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if at any time
when the conditions precedent set forth in Section 6.2 hereof to any Loan
hereunder are satisfied, any Lender shall fail to fulfill its obligations to
make such Loan (any such Lender, a "Defaulting Lender") then, for so long as
such failure shall continue, the Defaulting Lender shall (unless the Borrowers,
the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders (determined as if the
Defaulting Lender were not a Lender hereunder) shall otherwise consent in
writing) be deemed for all purposes related to amendments, modifications,
waivers or consents under this Agreement (other than amendments or waivers
referred to in clause (i) and (ii) above) to have no Loans or Commitments and
shall not be treated as a Lender hereunder when performing the computation of
the Required Lenders. To the extent the Administrative Agent receives any
payments or other


                                       56

<PAGE>

amounts for the account of a Defaulting Lender such Defaulting Lender shall be
deemed to have requested that the Administrative Agent use such payment or other
amount to fulfill its obligations to make such Loan.

      Section 11.10   Headings. Section headings used in this Agreement are for
reference only and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement.

      Section 11.11   Expenses; Indemnity; Waiver.

      (a)   Costs and Expenses. The Borrowers shall pay (i) all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates,
including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the
Administrative Agent (and fees and time charges for attorneys who may be
employees of the Administrative Agent), in connection with the syndication of
the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation,
execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Credit
Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof
or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby
shall be consummated), and (ii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the
Administrative Agent or any Lender, including the fees, charges and
disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent or any Lender (and
fees and time charges for attorneys who may be employees of the Administrative
Agent or any Lender), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its
rights in connection with this Agreement and the other Credit Documents,
including its rights under this Section 11.11(a), or in connection with the
Loans made hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during
any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans.

      (b)   Indemnification by Nicor. Nicor shall indemnify the Administrative
Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and each Lender, and each Related Party of
any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an "Indemnitee")
against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities and expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements
of any counsel for any Indemnitee (and fees and time charges for attorneys who
may be employees of the Administrative Agent or any Lender) incurred by or
asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a
result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Credit
Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the
performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including
any relating to a misrepresentation by a Borrower under any Credit Document),
(ii) any Loan or the use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) any actual or alleged
presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on or from any Property owned or
operated by Nicor or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability
related in any way to Nicor or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or
prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of
the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and
regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such
indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a
court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have
resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.


                                       57

<PAGE>

      (c)   Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that the Borrowers fail for
any reason to pay within the time set forth in paragraph (e) below any amount
required under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 11.11 to be paid to the
Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or any Related Party of the
Administrative Agent, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative
Agent (or any such sub-agent) or such Related Party, as the case may be, upon
demand such Lender's Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable
unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount;
provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage,
liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted
against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or against any Related
Party of the Administrative Agent acting for the Administrative Agent (or any
such sub-agent) in connection with such capacity.

      (d)   Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, neither Borrower shall assert, and each hereby
waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for
special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or
actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this
Agreement, any other Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated
hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or the use of
the proceeds thereof, except to the extent that any such claim shall be based
upon the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any such Indemnitee. No
Indemnitee referred to in paragraph (b) above shall be liable for any damages
arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other
materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other
information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other
Credit Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

      (e)   Payments. All amounts due under this Section 11.11 shall be payable
not later than 5 days after demand therefor; provided that with respect to a
Borrower, such amount shall automatically become due to the extent an Event of
Default has arisen under Section 8.1(f) or 8.1(g).

      Section 11.12   Entire Agreement. The Credit Documents constitute the
entire understanding of the parties thereto with respect to the subject matter
thereof and any prior or contemporaneous agreements, whether written or oral,
with respect thereto are superseded thereby.

      Section 11.13   Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

      (a)   Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

      (b)   Submission to Jurisdiction. Each Borrower irrevocably and
unconditionally submits itself and its Property to the nonexclusive jurisdiction
of the courts of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan and
of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and
any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of
or relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or for recognition
or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably and
unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or
proceeding may be heard and determined in


                                       58

<PAGE>

such New York State court or, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment
in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in
other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by
law. Nothing in this Agreement or in any other Credit Document shall affect any
right that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may otherwise have to bring
any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document
against a Borrower or its Properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

      (c)   Waiver of Venue. Each Borrower irrevocably and unconditionally
waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which
it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding
arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document in any
court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto
hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or
proceeding in any such court.

      (d)   Service of Process. Each party hereto irrevocably consents to
service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 11.6. Nothing
in this Agreement will affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in
any other manner permitted by applicable law.

      Section 11.14   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE
TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF
OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER
THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR
ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH
OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE
FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE
BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS BY,
AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

      Section 11.15   Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality. Each of
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality
of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed
(a) to it, its Affiliates and their respective partners, directors, officers,
employees, agents, advisors and representatives (it being understood that the
Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential
nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information
confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority
(including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or
regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party
hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under
any other Credit Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement
or any other Credit Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or
thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions


                                       59

<PAGE>

substantially the same as those of this Section 11.15, to any assignee of or
Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its
rights or obligations under this Agreement, (g) with the consent of a Borrower
or (h) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than
as a result of a breach of this Section 11.15 or (y) becomes available to the
Administrative Agent or any Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source
other than the Borrowers.

      For purposes of this Section, "Information" means all information received
from a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries relating to a Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, other than any such
information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a
non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by a Borrower; provided that, in the
case of information received from a Borrower after the date hereof, such
information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any
Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in
this Section 11.15 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to
do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the
confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own
confidential information.

      Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, "Information" shall not
include, and the Administrative Agent and each Lender may disclose to any and
all persons any information with respect to the U.S. federal income tax
treatment and U.S. federal income tax structure of the transactions contemplated
hereby and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses)
that are provided to the Administrative Agent or such Lender relating to such
tax treatment and tax structure.

      Section 11.16   Patriot Act. As required by federal law or the
Administrative Agent or a Lender's polices and practices, the Administrative
Agent or a Lender may need to collect certain customer identification
information and documentation in connection with opening or maintaining accounts
or establishing or continuing to provide services.


                - Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank -
                            [Signature Page Follows]


                                       60

<PAGE>

           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.



                               NICOR INC., an Illinois corporation


                               By:     /s/ GEORGE BEHRENS
                                  ----------------------------
                               Name:   George Behrens
                                    -----------------------------
                               Title:  Vice President & Treasurer
                                     ----------------------------


                               NORTHERN ILLINOIS GAS COMPANY, an Illinois
                               corporation


                               By:     /s/ GEORGE BEHRENS
                                  -------------------------------
                               Name:   George Behrens
                                    -----------------------------
                               Title:  Vice President & Treasurer
                                     ----------------------------



                     SIGNATURE PAGE 5-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT


<PAGE>

                               JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N. A.,
                               in its individual capacity as a Lender and as
                               Administrative Agent


                               By:     /s/ MICHAEL J. DEFORGE
                                  ----------------------------
                               Name:   Michael J. DeForge
                                    --------------------------
                               Title:  Vice President
                                     -------------------------



                  BANK SIGNATURE PAGE 5-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT


<PAGE>

                               ABN AMRO BANK N.V.


                               By:     /s/ JOHN D. REED
                                  ----------------------------=
                               Name:   John D. Reed
                                    ---------------------------
                               Title:  Director
                                     --------------------------


                               By:     /s/ TODD D. VAUBEL
                                  -----------------------------
                               Name:   Todd D. Vaubel
                                    ---------------------------
                               Title:  Assistant Vice President
                                     --------------------------


                 BANK SIGNATURE PAGE TO 5-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT

<PAGE>

                               WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.


                               By:     /s/ SHAWN YOUNG
                                  ----------------------------
                               Name:   Shawn Young
                                    --------------------------
                               Title:  Vice President
                                     -------------------------



                 BANK SIGNATURE PAGE TO 5-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT


<PAGE>

                               THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, LTD.,
                               CHICAGO BRANCH


                               By:      /s/ KAZUYA MATSUSHITA
                                  ----------------------------
                               Name:    Mr. Kazuya Matsushita
                               Title:   General Manager



                 BANK SIGNATURE PAGE TO 5-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT


<PAGE>

                               THE BANK OF NEW YORK


                               By:     /s/ JOHN V. YANCEY
                                  ----------------------------
                               Name:   John V. Yancey
                                    --------------------------
                               Title:  Managing Director
                                     -------------------------



                 BANK SIGNATURE PAGE TO 5-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT

<PAGE>



                               SOCIETE GENERALE


                               By:     /s/ NIGEL ELVEY
                                  ----------------------------
                               Name:   Nigel Elvey
                                    --------------------------
                               Title:  Vice President
                                     -------------------------



                 BANK SIGNATURE PAGE TO 5-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT

<PAGE>



                               UFJ BANK LIMITED


                               By:     /s/ RUSSELL BOHNER
                                  ----------------------------
                               Name:   Russell Bohner
                                    --------------------------
                               Title:  Vice President
                                     -------------------------



                 BANK SIGNATURE PAGE TO 5-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT

<PAGE>



                               MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD.


                               By:     /s/ RAYMOND VENTURA
                                  ----------------------------
                               Name:   Raymond Ventura
                                    --------------------------
                               Title:  Senior Vice President
                                     -------------------------



                 BANK SIGNATURE PAGE TO 5-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT

<PAGE>



                               BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA S.A.


                               By:     /s/ HECTOR O. VILLEGAS
                                  -----------------------------
                               Name:   Hector O. Villegas
                                    ---------------------------
                               Title:  Vice President
                                       Global Corporate Banking
                                     --------------------------

                               By:     /s/ JUAN URQUIOLA
                                  ----------------------------
                               Name:   Juan Urquiola
                                    --------------------------
                               Title:  SVP
                                     -------------------------



                 BANK SIGNATURE PAGE TO 5-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT

<PAGE>



                               SUNTRUST BANK


                               By:     /s/ KELLEY BRUNSON
                                  ----------------------------
                               Name:   Kelley Brunson
                                    --------------------------
                               Title:  Vice President
                                     -------------------------



                 BANK SIGNATURE PAGE TO 5-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT

<PAGE>



                               WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                               By:     /s/ CHARLES W. REED
                                  ----------------------------
                               Name:   Charles W. Reed
                                    --------------------------
                               Title:  Vice President
                                     -------------------------

                               By:     /s/ SCOTT A. MILLER
                                  ----------------------------
                               Name:   Scott A. Miller
                                    --------------------------
                               Title:  Vice President
                                     -------------------------



                 BANK SIGNATURE PAGE TO 5-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT

<PAGE>



                               U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                               By:     /s/ JAMES N. DEVRIES
                                  ----------------------------
                               Name:   James N. DeVries
                                    --------------------------
                               Title:  Senior Vice President
                                     -------------------------



                 BANK SIGNATURE PAGE TO 5-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT

<PAGE>



                               FIFTH THIRD BANK (CHICAGO), A MICHIGAN BANKING
                               CORPORATION


                               By:      /s/ KIM PUSZCZEWICZ
                                  ------------------------------
                               Name:    Kim Puszczewicz
                               Title:   Vice President



                 BANK SIGNATURE PAGE TO 5-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT

<PAGE>



                               SEAWAY NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO


                               By:      /s/ ARLENE C. WILLIAMS
                                  ------------------------------
                               Name:    Arlene C. Williams
                               Title:   Senior Vice President



                 BANK SIGNATURE PAGE TO 5-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT