Nicor Inc.
                                                                        Form S-8
                                                                   Exhibit 24.01


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, a Director, Officer, or Director and Officer of Nicor Inc., an
Illinois corporation, hereby authorizes any executive officer of Nicor Inc. and
each of them, to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as such
Director, Officer, or Director and Officer, a Registration Statement (and any
amendments thereto) under the Securities Act of 1933.



Date:  July 25, 2003





/s/ ROBERT M. BEAVERS, JR.
-------------------------------
Robert M. Beavers, Jr.


<PAGE>


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, a Director, Officer, or Director and Officer of Nicor Inc., an
Illinois corporation, hereby authorizes any executive officer of Nicor Inc. and
each of them, to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as such
Director, Officer, or Director and Officer, a Registration Statement (and any
amendments thereto) under the Securities Act of 1933.



Date:  July 25, 2003





/s/ BRUCE P. BICKNER
----------------------
Bruce P. Bickner


<PAGE>


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, a Director, Officer, or Director and Officer of Nicor Inc., an
Illinois corporation, hereby authorizes any executive officer of Nicor Inc. and
each of them, to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as such
Director, Officer, or Director and Officer, a Registration Statement (and any
amendments thereto) under the Securities Act of 1933.



Date:  July 25, 2003





/s/ JOHN H. BIRDSALL, III
-------------------------------
John H. Birdsall, III


<PAGE>


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, a Director, Officer, or Director and Officer of Nicor Inc., an
Illinois corporation, hereby authorizes any executive officer of Nicor Inc. and
each of them, to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as such
Director, Officer, or Director and Officer, a Registration Statement (and any
amendments thereto) under the Securities Act of 1933.



Date:  July 25, 2003





/s/ THOMAS A. DONAHOE
-------------------------------
Thomas A. Donahoe


<PAGE>


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, a Director, Officer, or Director and Officer of Nicor Inc., an
Illinois corporation, hereby authorizes any executive officer of Nicor Inc. and
each of them, to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as such
Director, Officer, or Director and Officer, a Registration Statement (and any
amendments thereto) under the Securities Act of 1933.



Date:  July 25, 2003





/s/ THOMAS L. FISHER
--------------------------
Thomas L. Fisher


<PAGE>


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, a Director, Officer, or Director and Officer of Nicor Inc., an
Illinois corporation, hereby authorizes any executive officer of Nicor Inc. and
each of them, to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as such
Director, Officer, or Director and Officer, a Registration Statement (and any
amendments thereto) under the Securities Act of 1933.



Date:  July 25, 2003





/s/ KATHLEEN L. HALLORAN
--------------------------
Kathleen L. Halloran


<PAGE>


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, a Director, Officer, or Director and Officer of Nicor Inc., an
Illinois corporation, hereby authorizes any executive officer of Nicor Inc. and
each of them, to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as such
Director, Officer, or Director and Officer, a Registration Statement (and any
amendments thereto) under the Securities Act of 1933.



Date:  July 25, 2003





/s/ JOHN E. JONES
-------------------------------
John E. Jones


<PAGE>


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, a Director, Officer, or Director and Officer of Nicor Inc., an
Illinois corporation, hereby authorizes any executive officer of Nicor Inc. and
each of them, to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as such
Director, Officer, or Director and Officer, a Registration Statement (and any
amendments thereto) under the Securities Act of 1933.



Date:  July 25, 2003





/s/ DENNIS J. KELLER
--------------------------
Dennis J. Keller


<PAGE>


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, a Director, Officer, or Director and Officer of Nicor Inc., an
Illinois corporation, hereby authorizes any executive officer of Nicor Inc. and
each of them, to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as such
Director, Officer, or Director and Officer, a Registration Statement (and any
amendments thereto) under the Securities Act of 1933.



Date:  July 25, 2003





/s/ WILLIAM A. OSBORN
-------------------------------
William A. Osborn


<PAGE>


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, a Director, Officer, or Director and Officer of Nicor Inc., an
Illinois corporation, hereby authorizes any executive officer of Nicor Inc. and
each of them, to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as such
Director, Officer, or Director and Officer, a Registration Statement (and any
amendments thereto) under the Securities Act of 1933.



Date:  July 25, 2003





/s/ JOHN RAU
---------------
John Rau


<PAGE>


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, a Director, Officer, or Director and Officer of Nicor Inc., an
Illinois corporation, hereby authorizes any executive officer of Nicor Inc. and
each of them, to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as such
Director, Officer, or Director and Officer, a Registration Statement (and any
amendments thereto) under the Securities Act of 1933.



Date:  July 25, 2003





/s/ JOHN F. RIORDAN
-------------------------------
John F. Riordan


<PAGE>


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, a Director, Officer, or Director and Officer of Nicor Inc., an
Illinois corporation, hereby authorizes any executive officer of Nicor Inc. and
each of them, to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as such
Director, Officer, or Director and Officer, a Registration Statement (and any
amendments thereto) under the Securities Act of 1933.



Date:  July 25, 2003





/s/ PATRICIA A. WIER
--------------------------
Patricia A. Wier