Nicor Inc.
                                                                       Form 8-K
                                                                   Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          FOR MORE INFORMATION:
September 9, 2003              Contact: Nicor (630) 983-8676
                               Re: N-898
                               Analysts:  Mark Knox, Ext. 2529
                               Media:     Kris Lathan, Ext. 2781


NICOR COMPLETES $1 BILLION SYNDICATED REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITIES


Naperville, Ill. - Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) today announced the establishment of
two syndicated revolving credit facilities totaling $1 billion to replace
stand-alone revolvers totaling $484 million that expire in September 2003. The
facilities consist of a $500 million, 364-day revolver available to Nicor Inc.
and Nicor Gas and a $500 million, seasonal 180-day revolver available to Nicor
Gas. These new facilities, which serve as backup for the issuance of commercial
paper, accommodate the company's short-term borrowing needs associated with
higher natural gas costs and its greater storage inventory for delivery to its
customers this winter.

"Replacing bilateral lines of credit with syndicated revolving credit facilities
makes sense in today's business environment," said George Behrens,
vice-president administration and treasurer for Nicor. "We believe these credit
facilities will enable us to meet our short-term borrowing needs in a
cost-effective manner."

The credit facilities were arranged by ABN AMRO and include a total of 30
lenders.
-More-


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About Nicor Inc. and Nicor Gas

Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) is a holding company and is a member of the S&P 500.
Its principal businesses are Nicor Gas, one of the nation's largest natural
gas distribution companies, and Tropical Shipping, a containerized shipping
business serving the Caribbean region. Nicor also owns and has equity
interest in several energy-related businesses.

Nicor Gas has provided safe, reliable and cost-effective natural gas services
for nearly 50 years. The Company serves over two million customers in a service
territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the
city of Chicago. For more information about Nicor Inc., visit the Web site at
www.nicor.com.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

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