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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.21



                           EMPLOYMENT NON-COMPETITION
                         AND PROPRIETY RIGHTS AGREEMENT


         THIS EMPLOYMENT NON-COMPETITION AND PROPRIETY RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the
"AGREEMENT") is made as of this 15th day of September, 1998, by and between
UNIVERSAL ACCESS, INC., an Illinois corporation (the "COMPANY"), and
Mr. Patrick Shutt (the "Employee").

                                    RECITALS:

         A.  The Company is in the telecommunications business; and,

         B.  The Company desires to employ the Employee and Employee desires to
be employed by the Company as its President and Chief Executive Officer,
subject to the terms, conditions and covenants hereinafter set forth; and,

         C. As a condition of the Company employing Employee, Employee has
agreed not to divulge to the public the Company's confidential information, not
to solicit the Company's vendors, customers or employees and not to compete with
the Company, all upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the agreements,
covenants and conditions set forth herein, the Employee and the Company hereby
agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   EMPLOYMENT

         1.1 Employment. The Company hereby employs, engages and hires Employee,
and Employee hereby accepts employment, upon the terms and conditions set forth
in this Agreement. The Employee shall serve as the President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. The Employee shall have and fully perform the
duties and responsibilities as may be, from time to time, specified in the
Company's By-laws or as assigned or delegated by the Board of Directors.

         1.2 Activities and Duties During Employment. Employee represents and
warrants to the Company that Employee is free to accept employment with the
Company, and that Employee has no prior or other commitments or obligations of
any kind to anyone else which would hinder or interfere with the acceptance of
the obligations under this Agreement.

         Employee accepts the employment described in Article 1 of this
Agreement and agrees to devote his full time and efforts to the faithful and
diligent performance of the services described herein, including the
performance of such other services and responsibilities as the Company may,
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from time to time, stipulate. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
Employee ordinarily shall devote not less than five days per week to his
employment, and shall be present on the Company premises or actively engaged in
service to or on behalf of the Company during normal business hours Monday
through Friday, excluding periods of vacation and sick leave. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Employee may: (i) serve on the board of directors of other
entities or serve in any capacity with any civic, educational, professional or
charitable organization provided that such service does not materially interfere
or conflict with his duties hereunder; and (ii) make and manage personal
investments of his choice.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                      TERM

         2.1 Term. The term of employment under this Agreement shall be three
(3) years, commencing on the date of the Agreement (such term of employment, as
it may be extended or terminated, is herein referred to as the "Employment
Term"), which Employment Term shall automatically renew for additional one (1)
year periods unless terminated by Employee or the Company by written notice not
less than six (6) months prior to expiration of the then-current term.

         2.2   Termination.  The Employment Term and employment of Employee may
be terminated as follows:

               (a) By the Company immediately for "Cause." For the purpose of
               this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean (i) conduct amounting to
               fraud, embezzlement, or illegal misconduct in connection with
               Employee's duties under this Agreement; (ii) the conviction of
               Employee by a court of proper jurisdiction of (or his written,
               voluntary and freely given confession to) a crime which
               constitutes a felony (other than a traffic violation) or an
               indictment that results in material injury to the Company's
               property, operation or reputation; (iii) the willful failure of
               Employee to comply with reasonable directions of the Board after
               (a) written notices delivered to the Employee describing such
               willful failure and (b) Employee has failed to cure or take
               substantial steps to cure such willful failure after a reasonable
               time period as determined by the Board in its reasonable
               discretion (not to be less than 30 days) unless the Employee,
               after discussion with counsel, in good faith believes, that the
               directions of the Board (or its actions or inactions in response
               to the Employee's written notice) are illegal; or (iv) willful
               misconduct or a material default by the Employee in the
               performance or observance of any promise or undertaking of
               Employee under this Agreement, which willful misconduct or
               default has a material adverse effect on the Company and has
               continued for a period of ten (10) business days after written
               notice thereof from the Company to the Employee; provided, that
               if such willful misconduct or default is of a nature that it or
               the injury therefrom cannot be reasonably cured within such ten
               (10) day period (but is curable), then, if Employee shall have
               commenced


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               an attempt to cure such default within such ten (10) day period,
               the period to cure the default shall be extended until the
               earlier of: (i) the date which is forty-five (45) days after
               receipt of notice or (ii) the date that Employee has failed to
               diligently continue his efforts in a reasonable manner to cure
               his default.

         (b)   Automatically, without the action of either party, upon the death
               of Employee.

         (c)   By either party upon the Total Disability of the Employee.  The
               Employee shall be considered to have a Total Disability for
               purposes of this Agreement is he is unable by reason of accident
               or illness to substantially perform his employment duties, and is
               expected to be in such condition for periods totaling six (6)
               months (whether or not consecutive) during any period of twelve
               (12) months. The determination of whether a Total Disability has
               occurred shall be based on the determination of a physician
               mutually acceptable to the Company and the Employee. Nothing
               herein shall limit the Employee's right to receive any payments
               to which Employee may be entitled under any disability or
               employee benefit plan of the Company or under any disability or
               insurance policy or plan. During a period of Total Disability
               prior to termination hereunder, Employee shall continue to
               receive his full compensation (including base salary and bonus)
               and benefits.

         (d)   By the Employee upon a Change of Control.  For the purpose of
               this Agreement, "change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of
               any of the following:

               1.   The Company consummates a merger or consolidation which
                    results in the voting securities of the Company outstanding
                    immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
                    remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting
                    securities of the surviving entity) less then fifty percent
                    (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting
                    securities of the Company or such surviving entity
                    outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation;

               2.   A plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an
                    agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of (in
                    one transaction or a series of transactions) all or
                    substantially all of the Company's assets is consummated;


         (e)   By the Employee upon ten (10) business days notice to the Company
               for Good Reason, which notice shall state the reason for
               termination. For the purpose of this Agreement, "Good Reason"
               shall mean: (i) a demotion or reduction in the Employee's duties,
               responsibilities or authority as CEO or without his written
               consent or the assignment to the Employee of duties and
               responsibilities inconsistent with his position as CEO of the
               Company without his written consent or which diminishes his
               authority without his written consent (together, the "Demotion
               Actions"), and the Demotion Actions are not cured by the Company
               within thirty



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               (30) days after written notice of the Demotion Actions from the
               Employee; (ii) the relocation of the Employee's principal place
               of employment, or the principal offices for the Company to a
               location of more than fifty (50) miles from the current location;
               or (iii) any material failure by the Company to comply with the
               provisions of this Employee Agreement, including but not limited
               to, failure to timely pay any part of Employee's compensation
               (including salary or bonus) or provide the benefits contemplated
               herein, and which is not remedied by the Company within ten (10)
               business days after receipt by the Company of written notice
               thereof from Employee; provided, that if such default is of a
               nature that it cannot be reasonably cured within ten (10) day
               period (but is curable), then if the Company shall have commenced
               an attempt to cure such default within such ten (10) day period,
               the period to cure the default shall be extended until the
               earlier of the date which is forty-five (45) days after receipt
               of notice or the Company has failed to diligently continue its
               efforts in a reasonable manner to cure its default.

         (f)   By the Employee without Good Reason, and therefore in breach of
               this Agreement.

         2.3   Cessation of Rights and Obligations: Survival of Certain
Provisions. On the date of expiration or earlier termination of the Employment
Term for any reason, all of the respective rights, duties, obligation and
covenants of the parties, as set forth herein, shall, except as specifically
provided herein to the contrary, cease and become of no further force or effect
as of the date of said termination, and shall only survive as expressly provided
for herein.

         2.4 Cessation of Compensation. In lieu of any severance under any
severance plan that the Company may then have in effect, and subject to (i) the
receipt of a full and unconditional release from Employee and (ii) any amounts
owed by the Employee to the Company under any contract, agreement or loan
document entered into after the date hereof which relates solely to his
employment with the Company (including, but not limited to, loans made by the
Company to the Employee), the Company shall pay to the Employee, and the
Employee shall be entitled to receive, the following amounts within thirty (30)
days of the date of a termination of his employment:

         (a)   Voluntary Termination/Cause/Expiration of Term. Upon (i)
               Employee terminating his employment without Good Reason as
               provided in Section 2.2(b), (ii) the expiration of the Employment
               Term because the Employee elects not extend the Employment Term,
               or (iii) a termination of the Employment Term for Cause by the
               Company, the Employee shall be entitled to receive his base
               salary and expense reimbursements solely through the date of
               termination.

         (b)   Death or Total Disability. Upon the termination of the
               Employment Term by reason of the death or Total Disability of the
               Employee, the Employee (or, in the case of death, his estate)
               shall be entitled to receive in a lump sum his base salary (which
               shall include any of his unused vacation pay for the year of such
               termination), unpaid bonus based on the portion of the calendar
               year through the date the Employment


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               Term ends hereunder based on the annual bonus paid in the
               immediately preceding calendar year and expense reimbursement
               through the date of death or total disability.

         (c)   Involuntary.  Upon the termination of the Employment Term:

               (1)  by the Company for any reason other than Cause, Death or
                    Total Disability;

               (2)  by the Employee for Good Reason,

               the Executive shall be entitled to receive in a lump sum the
               balance of his base salary and bonus (based on the annual bonus
               paid in the immediately preceding calendar year) for the
               remaining term of the Employment Term, exclusive of any renewals
               of the then existing term, plus prorated vacation pay and expense
               reimbursement through the date of termination. In addition, if
               permitted under the Company's group health, life and disability
               insurance coverage ("Insurance Coverage"), Employee shall be
               entitled to continuation of Employee's coverage thereunder
               (subject to such changes in coverage as shall apply to Company's
               employees generally) for the one (1) year period after the
               termination of the Employment Term at the cost of the Company or
               if not so permitted, payment by the Company of the premiums for
               group health insurance coverage otherwise payable by Employee
               under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985
               ("COBRA"). It shall be a condition to Employee's right to receive
               the payments described above that Employee shall be in compliance
               with all of the Employee's obligations which survive termination
               hereof, including without limitation those arising under Article
               IV hereof. The payments described above are intended to be in
               lieu of all other payments to which Employee might otherwise be
               entitled in respect of termination of Employee's employment
               without Cause unless otherwise required by law or under other
               agreements between the parties.

         2.5   No Offset/No Mitigation of Damages. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, Employee shall have no obligation to mitigate or seek
other employment with respect to the payments and benefits under this Agreement
and the Company's obligations under this Agreement shall not be subject to any
offset for any counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the
Company may have (other than amounts if any loaned by the Company to the
Employee as a result of his employment with the Company).

         2.6   Tax Gross-Up.

         (a)   The Company shall attempt to satisfy Section 280G(b)(5) of the
               Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the
               regulations thereunder to the extent such Code Section is
               applicable. In the event that the shareholder approval



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               requirements under Section 280G(b)(5) of the code and the
               regulations thereunder are not satisfied payments by the Company
               to the Employee and such payments by the Company to the Employee
               ("Company Payments") will be subject to the tax (the "Excise
               Tax") imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (and any similar tax
               that may hereafter be imposed), the Company shall have to pay to
               the Employee, an additional amount (the "Gross-up Payment") such
               that the net amount retained by the Employee, after deduction of
               any Excise Tax on the Company Payments and any federal, state and
               local income tax and Excise Tax upon the Gross-up Payment
               provided for by this Section, but before deduction for any
               federal, state or local income tax on the Company Payments, shall
               be equal to the Company Payments.

         (b)   Prior to any change in ownership (as defined under Section 280(G)
               of the Code), the Employee and the Company shall select an
               independent certified public accountant or qualified tax counsel
               (the "Tax Professional") to determine whether any of the Company
               Payments and Gross-up Payments (collectively, the "Total
               Payments") will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of
               such Excise Tax taking into account all provisions of the Code,
               including but not limited to exemptions contained in Section
               280(G) such as those for payments of reasonable compensation for
               services actually rendered. In addition, the Tax Professional
               shall determine the value of any non-cash benefits or any
               deferred payment or benefit for purposes of determining the
               amount, if any, of the Excise Tax. It the Employee and the
               Company are unable to mutually determine appropriate Tax
               Professional, the decision will be made in accordance with the
               arbitration procedures in this Agreement.

         (c)   For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-up Payment,
               the Employee shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the
               highest marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar
               year in which the Gross-up Payment is to be made and state and
               local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation in
               the state and locality of the Employee's residence for the
               calendar year in which the Company Payment is to be made, net of
               the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be
               obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes if paid in
               such year.

         (d)   The Gross-up Payment shall be paid not later than the fifteenth
               (15th) day following the final determination of the amount of the
               Excise Tax by the Tax Professionals or under the arbitration
               procedures.

         (e)   In the event that the Excise Tax is subsequently determined to be
               less than the amount taken into account hereunder at the time the
               Gross-up Payment is made, Employee shall repay to the Company at
               the time that the amount of such reduction in Excise Tax is
               finally determined (but, if previously paid to the taxing
               authorities, not prior to the time the amount of such reduction
               is refunded to Employee or otherwise realized as a benefit by
               Employee) the portion of the Gross-up Payment that would not have
               been paid if such Excise Tax had been applied to initially



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               calculating the Gross-up Payment, plus interest on the amount of
               such repayment at the rate provided in Section 2375(b)(2)(B) of
               the Code. In the event that the Excise Tax is determined to
               exceed the amount taken into account hereunder at the time the
               Gross-up Payment is made (including by reason of any payment the
               existence or amount of which cannot be determined at the time of
               the Gross-up Payment), the Company shall make an additional
               Gross-up Payment and shall indemnify and hold Employee harmless
               in respect of such excess (plus any interest and penalties
               payable with respect to such excess) at the time that the amount
               of such excess is finally determined.

               The Gross-up Payment provided for above shall be paid on the 15th
               day (or such earlier date as the Excise Tax becomes due and
               payable to the taxing authorities) after it has been determined
               that the Total Payments (or any other portion thereof) are
               subject to the Excise Tax; provided, however, that if the amount
               of such Gross-up Payment or portion thereof cannot be finally
               determined on or before such day, the Company shall pay to
               Employee on such day an estimate, as determined by the Tax
               Professionals, of the minimum amount of such payments and shall
               pay the remain of such payments (together with interest at the
               rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code), as soon as
               the amount thereof can be determined. In the event that the
               amount of the estimated payments exceeds the amount subsequently
               determined to have been due, such excess shall constitute a loan
               by the Company to Employee, payable on the fifth day after demand
               by the Company (together with interest at the rate provided in
               Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code). If more than one Gross-up
               Payment is made, the amount of each Gross-up Payment shall be
               computed so as not to duplicate any prior Gross-up Payment.

               Employee shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the
               Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the
               payment by the Company of the Gross-up Payment. Such notification
               shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten (10)
               business days after Employee is informed in writing of such claim
               and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the
               date on which such claim is requested to be paid. Employee shall
               not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period
               following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company
               (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of
               taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the company notifies
               Employee in writing prior to the expiration of such period that
               it desires to contest such claim, Employee shall give the Company
               any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to
               such claim;


         2.7   Business Expenses.

         (a)   Reimbursement. The Company shall reimburse the Employee for
               all reasonable, ordinary, and necessary business expenses
               incurred by him in connection with the



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               performance of his duties hereunder, including, but not limited
               to, ordinary and necessary travel expenses and entertainment
               expenses. The reimbursement of business expenses will be governed
               by the policies for the Company and the terms otherwise set forth
               herein.

         (b)   Accounting. The Employee shall provide the Company with an
               accounting of his expenses, which accounting shall clearly
               reflect which expenses were incurred for proper business purposes
               in accordance with the policies adopted by the Company and as
               such are reimbursable by the Company. The Employee shall provide
               the Company with such other supporting documentation and other
               substantiation of reimbursable expenses as will conform to
               Internal Revenue Service or other requirements. All such
               reimbursements shall be payable by the Company to the Employee
               within a reasonable time after receipt by the Company of
               appropriate documentation therefor.


                                   ARTICLE III

                            COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

         3.1   Compensation.  During Employee's employment, the Company shall
 pay Employee such salary and bonus as set forth on Exhibit A.

         3.2   Payment. All compensation shall be payable in intervals in
accordance with the general payroll payment practice of the Company. The
compensation shall be subject to such withholdings and deductions by the Company
as are required by law.

         3.3   Other Benefits. Employee shall be entitled to participate in any
retirement, pension, profit-sharing, stock option, health plan, disability
income, incentive compensation and welfare or any other benefit plan or plans of
the Company which may now or hereafter be in effect and for which the Employee
is eligible or for which all senior executives in general are eligible.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Company shall be under no obligation to
institute or continue the existence of any such benefit plan.


                                   ARTICLE IV

           CONFIDENTIALITY, NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT

         4.1 Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information. Employee hereby
acknowledges and agrees that the duties and services to be performed by Employee
under this Agreement are special and unique and that as of a result of the
employment hereunder, Employee will acquire, develop and



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use information of a special and unique nature and value that is not generally
known to the public or to the Company's industry, including but not limited to,
certain records, phone locations, documentation, software programs, price lists,
contract prices for purchase and sale of telephone access and telephone
services, equipment configurations, business plans, ledgers and general
information, employee records, mailing lists, accounts receivable and payable
ledgers, financial and other records of the Company or its affiliates, and other
similar matters (all such information being hereinafter referred to as
"CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION"). Employee further acknowledges and agrees that the
Confidential Information is of great value to the Company and its affiliates and
that the restrictions and agreements contained in this Agreement are reasonably
necessary to protect the Confidential Information and the goodwill of the
Company. Accordingly, Employee hereby agrees that:

         (a)   Employee will not, while employed by the Company or at any
               time thereafter, directly or indirectly, except in connection
               with Employee's performance of the duties under this Agreement,
               or as otherwise authorized in writing by the Company for the
               benefit of the Company, divulge to any person, firm, corporation,
               limited liability company, or organization, other than the
               Company (hereinafter referred to as "THIRD PARTIES"), or use or
               cause or authorize any Third Parties to use, the Confidential
               Information, except as required by law; and

         (b)   Upon the termination of Employee's employment for any reason
               whatsoever, Employee shall deliver or cause to be delivered to
               the Company any and all Confidential Information, including
               drawings, notebooks, notes, records, keys, data and other
               documents and materials belonging to the Company or its
               affiliates which is in his possession or under his control
               relating to the Company or its affiliates, regardless of the
               medium upon which it is stored, and will deliver to the Company
               upon such termination of employment any other property of the
               Company or its affiliates which is in his possession or control.

         4.2   Non-Solicitation Covenant. Employee hereby covenants and agrees
that while employed by the Company and for a period of one (1) year following
the termination of Employee's employment with the Company for any reason,
Employee shall not (i) directly or indirectly, contact, solicit, interfere with,
or endeavor to entice away from the Company or its Affiliates any person, firm,
corporation, limited liability company or other entity that was a
customer of the Company at any time while Employee was an employee of the
Company or its Affiliates or who is a "PROSPECTIVE VENDOR OR CUSTOMER"of the
Company, or (ii) induce, attempt to induce or hire any employee (or any person
who was an employee during the year preceding the date of any solicitation) of
the Company or its Affiliates to leave the employ of the Company or its
Affiliates, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such
employee and the Company or its Affiliates. For purposes hereof, "PROSPECTIVE
VENDOR OR CUSTOMER" shall mean any person or entity which has been solicited for
business by Employee or any officer or other employee of the Company at any time
during Employee's employment.


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 4.3   Non-Competition Covenant. Employee acknowledges that the covenants set
forth in this Section 4.3 are reasonable in scope and essential to the
preservation of the Business of the Company (as defined herein). Employee also
acknowledges that the enforcement of the covenant set forth in this Section 4.3
will not preclude Employee from being gainfully employed in such manner and to
the extent as to provide a standard of living for himself, the members of his
family and the others dependent upon him of at least the level to which he and
they have become accustomed and may expect. In addition, Employee acknowledges
that the Company has obtained an advantage over its competitors as a result of
its name, location and reputation that is characterized by near permanent
relationships with vendors, customers, principals and other contacts which it
has developed at great expense. Furthermore, Employee acknowledges that
competition by him following the termination or expiration of his employment
would impair the operation of the Company beyond that which would arise from the
competition of an unrelated third party with similar skills. Employee hereby
agrees that he shall not, during his employment and for a period of one (1) year
after the end of his employment, directly or indirectly, engage in or become
directly or indirectly interested in any proprietorship, partnership, firm,
trust, company, limited liability company or other entity, other than the
Company (whether as owner, partner, trustee, beneficiary, stockholder, member,
officer, director, employee, independent contractor, agent, servant, consultant,
lessor, lessee or otherwise) that competes with the Company in the Business of
the Company in the Restricted Territory (as defined herein), other than an
interest in a company listed on a recognized stock exchange in an amount which
does not exceed five percent (5%) of the outstanding stock of such corporation.
For purposes of this Agreement, (i) the term "BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY" shall
include all business activities and ventures related to providing high speed
bandwidth telecommunications services in which the Company is engaged, plans to
engage in the next twelve months or has engaged in the prior twelve months, as
determined at any time during the employment of the Employee; and (ii) the term
"RESTRICTED TERRITORY" means the geographical area consisting of Cook County,
Illinois.

         4.4   Remedies.

               (a)  Injunctive Relief.  Employee expressly acknowledges and
                    agrees that the Business of the Company is highly
                    competitive and that a violation of any of the provisions of
                    Sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 would cause immediate and
                    irreparable harm, loss and damage to the Company not
                    adequately compensable by a monetary award. Employee further
                    acknowledges and agrees that the time periods and
                    territorial areas provided for herein are the minimum
                    necessary to adequately protect the Business of the Company,
                    the enjoyment of the Confidential Information and the
                    goodwill of the Company. Without limiting any of the other
                    remedies available to the Company at law or in equity, or
                    the Company's right or ability to collect money damages,
                    Employee agrees that any actual or threatened violation of
                    any of the provisions of Sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 may be
                    immediately restrained or enjoined by any court of competent
                    jurisdiction, and that a temporary restraining order or
                    emergency, preliminary or final injunction may be issued in
                    any court of competent jurisdiction, without notice and
                    without bond. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary



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<PAGE>   11
                    contained in this Agreement, the provisions of this Section
                    shall survive the termination of Employee's employment.

         (b)   Enforcement.  It is the desire of the parties that the provisions
               of Sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 be enforced to the fullest extent
               permissible under the laws and public policies in each
               jurisdiction in which enforcement might be sought. Accordingly,
               if any particular portion of Sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 shall ever
               be adjudicated as invalid or unenforceable, or if the application
               thereof to any party or circumstance shall be adjudicated to be
               prohibited by or invalidated by such laws or public policies,
               such section or sections shall be (i) deemed amended to delete
               therefrom such portions so adjudicated or (ii) modified as
               determined appropriate by such a court, such deletions or
               modifications to apply only with respect to the operation of such
               section or sections in the particular jurisdictions so
               adjudicating on the parties and under the circumstances as to
               which so adjudicated.

         (c)   Legal Fees.  The Employee shall reimburse the Company for all
               reasonable costs and expenses, including, but not limited to
               attorney's fees, incurred by the Company in connection with the
               enforcement of the provisions set forth in this Agreement.

         4.5   Company. All references to the Company in this Article 4 shall
include "Affiliates" of the Company, as that term is construed under Rule 405 of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

                                    ARTICLE V

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         5.1   Notices. All notices or other communications required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given, delivered and
received (a) when delivered, if delivered personally, (b) four days after
mailing, when sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and
postage prepaid, (c) one business day after delivery to a private courier
service, when delivered to a private courier service providing documented
overnight service, and (d) on the date of delivery if delivered by telecopy,
receipt confirmed, provided that a confirmation copy is sent on the next
business day by first class mail, postage prepaid, in each case addressed as
follows:



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         To Employee at his home address.

         To Company at:    Universal Access, Inc.
                           Suite 101
                           1021 West Adams
                           Chicago, Illinois 60601
                           Attn.:
                           Ph: 312-491-1700
                           Fax: 312-421-9006


         With a copy to:   Shefsky & Froelich Ltd.
                           444 North Michigan Avenue
                           Suite 2500
                           Chicago, IL  60611
                           Attn.: Mitchell D. Goldsmith
                           Ph:  (312) 836-4006
                           Fax: (312) 527-5921

Any party may change its address for purposes of this paragraph by giving the
other party written notice of the new address in the manner set forth above.

         5.2   Entire Agreement; Amendments, Etc. This Agreement contains the
entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto, and supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.
Except as provided in Section 4.4(b), no modification, amendment, waiver or
alteration of this Agreement or any provision or term hereof shall in any event
be effective unless the same shall be in writing, executed by both parties
hereto, and any waiver so given shall be effective only in the specific instance
and for the specific purpose for which given.

         5.3   Benefit. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the
benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, the heirs, successors, legal
representatives and permitted assignees of Employee and the successors,
assignees and transferees of the Company. This Agreement or any right or
interest hereunder may not be assigned by Employee without the prior written
consent of the Company.

         5.4   No Waiver. No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in
exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder or pursuant hereto shall operate
as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right,
power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right, power or remedy hereunder or pursuant thereto.

         5.5   Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Agreement
shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law but, if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or
invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be



                                       12
<PAGE>   13

ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without
invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this
Agreement. If any part of any covenant or other provision in this Agreement is
determined by a court of law to be overly broad thereby making the covenant
unenforceable, the parties hereto agree, and it is their desire, that the court
shall substitute a judicially enforceable limitation in its place, and that as
so modified the covenant shall be binding upon the parties as if originally set
forth herein.

         5.6   Compliance and Headings. Time is of the essence of this
Agreement. The headings in this Agreement are intended to be for convenience and
reference only, and shall not define or limit the scope, extent or intent or
otherwise affect the meaning of any portion hereof.

         5.7   Governing Law. The parties agree that this Agreement shall be
governed by, interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of Illinois, and the parties agree that any suit, action or proceeding with
respect to this Agreement shall be brought in the courts of Lake County in the
State of Illinois or in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of
Illinois. The parties hereto hereby accept the exclusive jurisdiction of those
courts for the purpose of any such suit, action or proceeding. Venue for any
such action, in addition to any other venue permitted by statute, will be Lake
County, Illinois.

         5.8   Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original and all of which together
will constitute one and the same instrument.

         5.9   Recitals.  The Recitals set forth above are hereby incorporated
in and made a part of this Agreement by this reference.

         5.10  Arbitration. Except as expressly contemplated by Article IV, any
dispute arising between the parties pursuant to this Agreement shall be
submitted to binding arbitration. Any arbitration proceeding involving any
provision hereof will be conducted in Chicago, Illinois. Except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement, all arbitration proceedings will be conducted in
accordance with the then current National Rules for the Resolution of Employment
Disputes of the American Arbitration Association. Three arbitrators shall
conduct the proceedings. The arbitrators shall allow such discovery as the
arbitrators determine appropriate under the circumstances. The arbitrators shall
determine which party, if either, prevailed and shall award the prevailing party
its costs and reasonable attorneys fees. The award and decision of the
arbitrators shall be conclusive and binding on all parties to this Agreement and
judgment on the award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. The
parties acknowledge and agree that any arbitration award may be enforced against
either or both of them in a court of competent jurisdiction and each waives any
right to contest the validity or enforceability of such award. The parties
further agree to be bound by the provisions of any statute of limitations which
would be applicable in a court of law to the controversy or claim which is the
subject of any arbitration proceeding initiated under this Agreement. The
parties further agree that they are entitled in any arbitration proceeding to
the entry of an order, by a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to an
opinion of the arbitrator, for specific



                                       13
<PAGE>   14

performance of any of the requirements of this Agreement. The parties further
agree that the arbitrators shall provide a statement of reasons explaining the
basis of the decision rendered.

         5.11  Indemnification/D&O Insurance. The Company shall indemnify and
hold Employee harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law and under the
Articles and bylaws of the Company as, to and from any and all costs, expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees, which shall be paid in advance by the
Company, subject to recoupment in accordance with applicable law) or damages
incurred by Employee as a result of any claim, suit, action or judgment arising
out of the activities of the Company or its Affiliates or the Employee's
activities as an employee, officer or director of the Company or any related
company; provided, however that the Employee shall not be entitled to
indemnification hereunder to the extent the damages are the result of actions or
omissions which have been finally adjudicated by a court of competent
jurisdiction to constitute gross negligence or wilful or intentional misconduct
by the Employee. This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
In addition, the Company shall cover Employee under any directors' and officers'
liability insurance which it may maintain from time to time, both during and for
six (6) years after the Employment Term in the same amount and to the same
extent as the Company covers its other officers and directors, provided,
however, that if no coverage is maintained by the Company, it shall be under no
obligation to maintain coverage for Employee.

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

                                     UNIVERSAL ACCESS, INC.



                                     By: /s/ John Drummond
                                         -----------------------------------
                                     Its: Authorized Signatory
                                         -----------------------------------
                                     EMPLOYEE:


                                     /s/ Mr. Patrick Shutt
                                     ---------------------------------------
                                     Mr. Patrick Shutt

                                     Address:
                                             -------------------------------
                                             -------------------------------
                                             -------------------------------
                                             -------------------------------



                                       14
<PAGE>   15
                                    EXHIBIT A
                     UNIVERSAL ACCESS, INC./PATRICK SHUTT


A.       Compensation.

         1.   During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay Employee such
              salary and benefits as shall be agreed upon each year between
              Employee and the Company. For the first year of the Employment
              Term, the Company shall pay Employee a base salary of $155,000
              (One Hundred Fifty-Five Thousand Dollars) per year. Thereafter,
              the Company shall review the Employee's base salary at least
              annually, and as a result of such review, can not reduce the
              Employee's base salary without his consent. In no event shall any
              increases to Employee's base salary be used as a substitute for
              the Guaranteed Annual Bonus or used to offset the Company's
              obligations to the Employee under this Agreement or otherwise.

         2.   The Company will, in addition to Employee's base salary, pay
              Employee an annual bonus with respect to each calendar year in
              the Employment Term based upon two percent (2%) of the
              Company's net operating income.

         3.   Other Benefits. Employee shall be entitled to participate in any
              retirement, pensions, profit-sharing, stock option, health plan,
              insurance, disability income, incentive compensation, vacation and
              welfare or any other benefit plan or plans of the Company which
              may now or hereafter be in effect and for which he is eligible or
              for which all senior executives in general are eligible.

         4.   Vacation. Employee shall be entitled to up to four (4) weeks
              of non-accruing paid vacation in each calendar year during the
              Employment Term, provided, however, that the Employee's 1998
              calendar year vacation shall be prorated for the portion of
              the calendar year remaining after the date hereof.




                                       15