Document:

CAPITAL
      GROWTH SYSTEMS, INC.

    2007
      LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

     

    FIRST
      AMENDMENT

     

    CAPITAL
      GROWTH SYSTEMS, INC., a Florida corporation (the "Company"), sets forth herein
      the terms of the First Amendment dated as of February 22, 2008 to the Capital
      Growth Systems, Inc. 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan") as follows:
      

     

    WHEREAS,
      the Company is desirous of increasing the number of shares subject to the Plan
      by 1,500,000 to an aggregate of 6,500,000 shares of Common Stock issuable
      pursuant to the Plan (subject to adjustment as provided therein).

     

    NOW
      THEREFORE, Section 3 of the Plan is hereby amended by increasing the number
      of
      shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Plan to 6,500,000 shares and
      by
      inserting the number 6,500,000 in lieu of the number 5,000,000 in the two places
      where the number 5,000,000 appears in the original Plan.Unassociated Document

    EXHIBIT
      10.1

    

    SEPARATION,
      RELEASE AND CONSULTING AGREEMENT

    

    AMCORE
      Financial, Inc. (the "Company") and Kenneth E. Edge ("Executive") enter into
      this Separation, Release and Consulting Agreement (this "Agreement"), which
      was
      signed by Executive on the 22nd
      day of
      February, 2008 and is effective on the 1st
      day of
      March, 2008 (the eighth day after the date signed by Executive).

    

    WITNESSETH:

    

    WHEREAS,
      Executive has been employed by the Company as its Chief Executive
      Officer;

    

    WHEREAS,
      Executive and the Company have agreed that Executive will resign from his
      position as the Company's Chief Executive Officer on February 22, 2008, but
      remain an employee and the Chairman of the Board of the Company until
      immediately prior to the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Company's stockholders
      on
      May 6, 2008; and

    

    WHEREAS,
      Executive and the Company have negotiated and reached an agreement with respect
      to all rights, duties and obligations arising between them, including, but
      in no
      way limited to, any rights, duties and obligations that have arisen or might
      arise out of or are in any way related to Executive's employment with the
      Company and the conclusion of that employment.

    

    NOW,
      THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and mutual promises herein
      contained, it is agreed as follows:

     

    Section
      1.
      Executive hereby resigns from his position as Chief Executive Officer and from
      all appointments he holds with the Company and its affiliates, effective as
      of
      February 22, 2008, except that he will remain the Chairman of the Board of
      the
      Company and continue to perform substantially all acts necessary or advisable
      to
      fulfill the duties and responsibilities of his position as Chairman of the
      Board
      until his resignation therefrom immediately prior to the 2008 Annual Meeting
      of
      the Company's stockholders on
      May 6,
      2008.
      Executive understands and agrees that his employment with the Company will
      continue until the close of business on May 6, 2008 (the "Termination Date").
      After the Termination Date, Executive is no longer required to perform any
      services for the Company except as set forth in Section 3 hereof, and is thus
      no
      longer authorized to incur any expenses, obligations or liabilities on behalf
      of
      the Company, unless specifically authorized herein or directed by an executive
      officer of the Company.

     

    Section
      2.
      The
      Company hereby agrees to continue to provide Executive with his current base
      salary and benefits during the period from the date hereof until the Termination
      Date and to pay Executive his current base salary for the period from the
      Termination Date through February 22, 2009 (the "Salary Continuation Period"),
      through the normal payroll process of bi-weekly payments (collectively, the
      "Salary Continuation Payments"), less all applicable withholding taxes and
      other
      customary payroll deductions. The Salary Continuation Payments will commence
      on
      the first payroll date following the Termination Date. In the event of the
      Executive’s death prior to February 22, 2009, the Salary Continuation Payments
      shall continue to be paid to Executive's spouse and, except to the extent
      benefits contemplated herein are expressly provided by their terms to heirs
      and
      beneficiaries, the Company shall have no further obligations to Executive’s
      heirs or beneficiaries under this Agreement.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        
        

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

     

    Section
      3.
      In
      consideration for the Salary Continuation Payments, the Company hereby engages
      Executive as a consultant and advisor with respect to its banking businesses
      and
      their operations for the compensation hereinafter set forth, and Executive
      hereby accepts this engagement for such compensation. Executive's engagement
      under this paragraph shall commence on the first business day following the
      Termination Date, and shall terminate on February 22, 2009 (the "Consulting
      Period"). Upon reasonable request, Executive shall advise the Company and its
      subsidiaries with respect to their businesses and operations within the general
      areas of his knowledge and shall remain available for such reasonable
      consulting, advisory services and such other assignments as may reasonably
      be
      requested from time to time and agreed to by Executive, which agreement shall
      not be unreasonably withheld. Executive shall perform his duties in such manner,
      at such times and at such places as the Company may reasonably request and
      Executive agrees, which agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld. In no
      event shall Executive be required to devote more than 300 hours to the
      performance of such consulting services; provided, however that such consulting
      services shall be scheduled so that they will not interfere with other
      employment of Executive during normal business hours. The Company shall
      reimburse Executive for all reasonable expenses, including travel expenses,
      necessarily incurred by him in the performance of his obligations under this
      paragraph; provided, however, that (a) Executive shall submit to the Company
      appropriate documentation for such expenses within 30 days after the end of
      the
      month in which such expense has been incurred and that (b) the Company shall
      have approved the expenditure of any expense exceeding $250 prior to the
      incurrence of such expense. The parties agree that, insofar as this paragraph
      is
      applicable, Executive shall at all times be an independent contractor and not
      an
      agent, employee or representative of the Company or its subsidiaries and that
      he
      shall have no power under this Agreement to bind or obligate the Company or
      its
      subsidiaries in any way whatsoever.

     

    Section
      4.
      Executive acknowledges and agrees that other than as specifically set forth
      in
      this Agreement, he is not and will not be due any compensation, including,
      but
      not limited to, compensation for unpaid salary (except for amounts, if any,
      of
      accrued or unused but earned vacation time or vacation pay from the Company
      or
      any of its affiliates), unpaid bonus, and severance, and following the
      Termination Date, except as expressly provided herein, he will not be eligible
      to participate in any of the benefit plans of the Company or any of its
      affiliates, whether currently existing or not, including without limitation,
      the
      AMCORE Financial Security Plan (the "Security Plan"), the AMCORE Financial,
      Inc.
      Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Deferred Compensation Plan"), stock purchase
      plans, travel accident insurance, personal accident insurance, accidental death
      and dismemberment insurance and short-term and long-term disability insurance;
      provided, however, that nothing herein shall limit Executive's ability to
      convert the Executive's long-term disability coverage into long-term care
      coverage at his cost pursuant to the terms of such plan or to continue life
      insurance coverage for Executive and his spouse pursuant to the terms of such
      plans at his cost. Executive also acknowledges and agrees that no provision
      in
      this Agreement shall limit the authority of the Company, including but not
      limited to a committee or administrator of the Company, to interpret the terms
      and conditions of the Company's benefit plans and policies.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    Section
      5.
      The
      Company also hereby acknowledges and agrees that Executive shall continue to
      participate in the Company's 2008 Annual Incentive Plan through the Termination
      Date, and that any bonus for the 2008 fiscal year shall be prorated for the
      period January 1, 2008 through the Termination Date based upon the Company's
      performance during the 2008 year.
      Following
      the Termination Date, Executive shall be eligible to receive any payments owed,
      if any, as a result of the performance awards granted on January 1, 2006 under
      the Company's 2005 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.

     

    Section
      6.
      The
      Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that Executive shall continue to
      participate in the Amcore Stock Option Advantage Plan, Security Plan, the
      Deferred Compensation Plan and the AMCORE Financial, Inc. Supplemental Executive
      Retirement Plan (the "SERP") through the Termination Date. Executive's interest
      in the Security Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan, including but not limited
      to the amount and timing of distributions under each plan, shall be made in
      accordance with the terms and conditions of each such plan, as such plans are
      in
      effect from time to time. Executive's benefit under the SERP shall be determined
      in accordance with the terms and conditions of the SERP except for the following
      express modifications: 

     

    (a) Executive
      shall be eligible to receive benefits payable under the SERP as of the first
      of
      the month following the Termination Date;

     

    (b) The
      assumed interest rate that shall be used to calculate Executive's retirement
      benefit in accordance with Section 4.2(a) of the SERP shall be six percent;
      and

     

    (c) The
      amount of benefits payable under the SERP will be computed in accordance with
      the early retirement methodology recently adopted by the Compensation Committee
      of the Board of Directors, including a reduction on account of Early Retirement
      (as defined in the SERP) amounting to 5% for each year (prorated for partial
      years) by which Executive's Early Retirement precedes Executive's Normal
      Retirement Date (as defined in the SERP).

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    Section
      7.
      To
      the
      extent unvested, all of Executive's options to acquire shares of the Company's
      common stock ("Common Stock") under the Amcore Financial, Inc. 1995 Stock Option
      Incentive Plan and Amcore Financial, Inc. 2000 Stock Option Incentive Plan
      shall
      fully vest and become exercisable as of the Termination Date and all options
      under such plans may
      be
      exercised until the earlier of (i) the third anniversary of the Termination
      Date
      or (ii) the expiration of the term of each specific option as set forth in
      Executive's applicable option agreements, and
      shall
      thereafter terminate to the extent not previously exercised. Notwithstanding
      anything to the contrary in any specific option agreement, to the extent
      unvested, all of Executive's options to acquire Common Stock under the Amcore
      Financial, Inc. 2005 Stock Award and Incentive Plan shall continue to vest
      at
      the stated rate in the related option agreements and all options under such
      plan
      shall be exercisable until the stated expiration of the option. To the extent
      there are restrictions on any award of restricted Common Stock to Executive
      as
      listed on Exhibit A, such restrictions shall lapse as of the Termination Date.
      The parties acknowledge and agree that the options and restricted stock as
      listed on Exhibit A comprise all of the options to acquire Common Stock and
      restricted Common Stock held by Executive as of the date hereof.

     

    Section
      8.
      The
      Company shall provide Executive and his current spouse, at no cost to Executive
      or his current spouse, with medical and dental benefits, which are substantially
      similar to those offered to similarly situated active employees of the Company,
      until the earlier of (i) the date in which Executive obtains age 65
      or (a)
      the date in which Executive obtains other full-time employment with an employer
      which provides health insurance coverage and Executive becomes a participant
      therein. In connection with the provision of such continued medical and dental
      benefits to Executive by the Company, if requested by the Company, Executive
      shall elect to continue his participation (and if applicable, his spouse) in
      the
      Company's group health (medical and dental) insurance benefit plan presently
      available to the Company’s executives pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus
      Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 ("COBRA"). In the event of Executive's death
      prior to age 65, such health insurance continuation to Executive and his spouse
      shall cease upon Executive's death and the Company shall have no further
      obligations to Executive's heirs or beneficiaries with respect to the benefits
      provided in this Section 8, except that any qualified beneficiary of Executive
      may elect COBRA coverage, at the qualified beneficiary's expense, to the extent
      the Company is required to offer such coverage to such qualified beneficiary
      under COBRA. In accordance with the policies and procedures of the Company,
      at
      age 65, Executive may purchase, at Executive's sole expense, supplemental health
      insurance coverage by the Company, at the same rate offered to retirees of
      the
      Company.

     

    Section
      9.
      In
      accordance with Section 5(a)(iii) of the Executive Insurance Agreement, by
      and
      between the Company and Executive, dated as of August 10, 1998 (the “Insurance
      Agreement”), Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Insurance
      Agreement shall terminate as of the Termination Date, and that Executive has
      no
      interest or right with respect to the Policy (as defined under the Insurance
      Agreement) as of the Termination Date.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    Section
      10.
      The
      Company shall transfer to the Executive ownership of the automobile that was
      regularly used by Executive to perform his duties as Chief Executive Officer
      of
      the Company.

     

    Section
      11.
      The
      Company shall indemnify, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted
      by applicable law, statutes and regulations as they may exist from time to
      time,
      Executive if he becomes a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
      threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
      criminal, administrative or investigative ("Claim"), by reason of the fact
      that
      he was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or is or was
      serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent
      of another corporation (including but not limited to a subsidiary or affiliate
      of the Company), partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against
      expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
      settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the action,
      suit
      or proceeding. Expenses of Executive incurred in defending a civil or criminal
      action, suit or proceeding will be paid by the Company as they are incurred
      upon
      receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of Executive to repay the amount
      if it
      is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that he is not
      entitled to be indemnified by the Company. The Company's obligations described
      in the paragraph shall continue for a period of not less than five (5) years
      after the Termination Date; provided, however, that all rights to
      indemnification in respect of any Claim asserted or made within such period
      shall continue until the final disposition of such claim.

     

    Section
      12.
      At all
      times after the Termination Date, Executive will maintain the confidentiality
      of
      all information in whatever form concerning the Company or any of its affiliates
      relating to its or their businesses, customers, finances, strategic or other
      plans, marketing, employees, trade practices, trade secrets, know-how or other
      matters which are not generally known outside the Company, and Executive will
      not, directly or indirectly, make any disclosure thereof to anyone, or make
      any
      use thereof, on his own behalf or on behalf of any third party, unless
      specifically requested by or agreed to in writing by an executive officer of
      the
      Company. Executive has returned or will immediately return to the Company all
      reports, files, memoranda, records, computer equipment and software, credit
      cards, cardkey passes, door and file keys, computer access codes or disks and
      instructional manuals, and other physical or personal property which he received
      or prepared or helped prepare in connection with his employment with the
      Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, and Executive has not retained and
      will not retain any copies, duplicates, reproductions or excerpts
      thereof.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    Section
      13.
      From
      the date Executive signs this Agreement until the first anniversary of the
      end
      of the Consulting Period,

     

    (a) Executive
      will not, directly or indirectly, solicit, entice, persuade or induce (or
      authorize or assist in the taking of any such actions by any third party) any
      employee of the Company or its affiliates or any person employed by the Company
      or its affiliates for the purpose of being hired by Executive or any other
      person; and

     

    (b) Executive
      will not, directly or indirectly, solicit, entice, persuade or induce (or
      authorize or assist in the taking of any such actions by any third
      party) any
      person or entity who is known to Executive to be or have been a customer or
      supplier of the Company within the two-year period immediately preceding the
      Termination Date to terminate his, her or its relationship with the Company
      or
      initiate or expand his, her or its relationship with a competitor of the
      Company.

     

    Section
      14.
      Unless
      waived in writing by the Company, from the date Executive signs this Agreement
      until the first anniversary of the end of the Consulting Period, Executive
      will
      not directly or indirectly engage in, invest in, participate in the management
      (with or without pay) of, or act as a consultant (with or without pay) for
      or
      employee of, any business operation of any enterprise if such operation or
      business significantly competes with the business of the Company in, and has
      an
      office in, the area within one hundred fifty (150) miles of the Company's
      current executive offices in Rockford, Illinois.

     

    Section
      15.
      At all
      times after the date Executive signs this Agreement, Executive will not
      disparage or criticize, orally or in writing, the business, products, policies,
      decisions, directors, officers or employees of the Company or any of its
      operating divisions, subsidiaries or affiliates to any person.

     

    Section
      16.

     

    (a) In
      consideration for the payments and benefits provided herein, Executive, on
      behalf of himself, his heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, affiliates
      and
      agents do hereby knowingly and voluntarily release, acquit and forever discharge
      the Company and any affiliates, successors, assigns and past, present and future
      directors, officers, employees, trustees and shareholders (the "Amcore Released
      Parties") from and against any and all charges, complaints, claims,
      cross-claims, third-party claims, counterclaims, contribution claims,
      liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements, controversies, damages, actions,
      causes of action, suits, rights, demands, costs, losses, debts and expenses
      of
      any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, foreseen
      or
      unforeseen, matured or unmatured, which, at any time up to and including the
      date that Executive signs this Agreement, exists, have existed, or may arise
      from any matter whatsoever occurring, including, but not limited to, any claims
      arising out of or in any way related to Executive’s employment with the Company
      or its affiliates and the conclusion thereof, which Executive, or any of his
      heirs, executors, administrators and assigns and affiliates and agents ever
      had,
      now has or at any time hereafter may have, own or hold against the Amcore
      Released Parties. Executive acknowledges that, in exchange for this release,
      the
      Company is providing Executive with a total consideration, financial and
      otherwise, which exceeds what Executive would have received had Executive not
      given this release.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    (b) Except
      to
      the extent that such waiver is precluded by law, order, or regulation, the
      Executive further agrees forever that he will not file, initiate, or cause
      to be
      filed or initiated, any claim, charge, suit, complaint, grievance, action,
      or
      cause of action based upon, arising out of, or relating to any claim, demand,
      or
      cause of action released herein, nor shall he participate, assist or cooperate
      in any claim, charge, suit, grievance, complaint, action or proceeding regarding
      any of the Amcore Released Parties, whether before a court or administrative
      agency or otherwise. Furthermore, Executive agrees that he will waive the right
      to seek or be entitled to any award of equitable or monetary relief in any
      action or proceeding brought on his behalf, that arises out of the matters
      released by him under this Agreement. If Executive is identified in any action
      related in any way to the matters released or waiver herein, he agrees that
      he
      shall permanently opt out of the class at the first available
      opportunity.

     

    (c) By
      executing this Agreement, Executive is waiving all claims against the Amcore
      Released Parties arising under federal, state and local labor and
      anti-discrimination laws and any other restriction on the right to terminate
      employment, including, without limitation, claims arising under Title VII of
      the
      Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment
      Act
      of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Employee Retirement
      Income Security Act of 1974, and the Illinois Human Rights Act, all as
      amended.

     

    (d) EXECUTIVE
      SPECIFICALLY WAIVES AND RELEASES THE AMCORE RELEASED PARTIES FROM ALL CLAIMS
      EXECUTIVE MAY HAVE AS OF THE DATE EXECUTIVE SIGNS THIS AGREEMENT REGARDING
      CLAIMS OR RIGHTS ARISING UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF
      1967,
      AS AMENDED, 29 U.S.C. § 621 ("ADEA"). EXECUTIVE FURTHER AGREES: (i) THAT
      EXECUTIVE'S WAIVER OF RIGHTS UNDER THIS RELEASE IS KNOWING AND VOLUNTARY AND
      IN
      COMPLIANCE WITH THE OLDER WORKER'S BENEFIT PROTECTION ACT OF 1990; (ii) THAT
      EXECUTIVE UNDERSTANDS THE TERMS OF THIS RELEASE; (iii) THAT THE SALARY
      CONTINUATION PAYMENTS AND OTHER BENEFITS CALLED FOR IN THIS AGREEMENT WOULD
      NOT
      BE PROVIDED TO ANY EMPLOYEE TERMINATING HIS OR HER EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY
      WHO DID NOT SIGN A RELEASE SIMILAR TO THIS RELEASE, THAT SUCH PAYMENTS AND
      BENEFITS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PROVIDED HAD EXECUTIVE NOT SIGNED THIS RELEASE,
      AND
      THAT THE PAYMENTS AND BENEFITS ARE IN EXCHANGE FOR THE SIGNING OF THIS RELEASE;
      (iv) THAT EXECUTIVE HAS BEEN ADVISED IN WRITING BY THE COMPANY TO CONSULT WITH
      AN ATTORNEY PRIOR TO EXECUTING THIS RELEASE; (v) THAT THE COMPANY HAS GIVEN
      EXECUTIVE A PERIOD OF AT LEAST TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS WITHIN WHICH TO CONSIDER
      THIS RELEASE OF HIS RIGHTS UNDER ADEA, ALTHOUGH HE MAY SIGN THIS AGREEMENT
      SOONER IF HE SO DESIRES; (vi) THAT EXECUTIVE REALIZES THAT HE HAS SEVEN (7)
      DAYS
      FROM THE DATE HE SIGNS THIS AGREEMENT IN WHICH TO REVOKE THIS RELEASE BY WRITTEN
      NOTICE TO THE UNDERSIGNED; AND (vii) THAT THIS ENTIRE AGREEMENT SHALL BE VOID
      AND OF NO FORCE AND EFFECT IF EXECUTIVE CHOOSES TO SO REVOKE, AND IF EXECUTIVE
      CHOOSES NOT TO SO REVOKE, THAT THIS AGREEMENT AND RELEASE THEN BECOME EFFECTIVE
      AND ENFORCEABLE.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    (e) In
      consideration for the releases and other commitments provided herein by
      Executive, the Company, on behalf of itself, its present, past and future
      shareholders, directors, and officers, and its subsidiaries, affiliates,
      successors, assigns, and agents, does hereby knowingly and voluntarily release,
      acquit and forever discharge Executive, his heirs, executors, administrators,
      assigns, affiliates and agents, from and against any and all charges,
      complaints, claims, cross-claims, third-party claims, counterclaims,
      contribution claims, liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements,
      controversies, damages, actions, causes of action, suits, rights, demands,
      costs, losses, debts and expenses of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown,
      suspected or unsuspected, foreseen or unforeseen, matured or unmatured, which,
      at any time up to and including the date that Executive signs this Agreement,
      exists, have existed or may arise from any matter whatsoever occurring,
      including, but not limited to, any claims arising out of or in any way related
      to Executive's employment with and/or actions taken on behalf of, the Company
      or
      its affiliates or subsidiaries which the Company, any of its present, past
      and
      future shareholders, directors, or officers, or any of its subsidiaries,
      affiliates, successors, assigns or agents ever had, now has or at any time
      hereafter may have, own or hold against Executive, his heirs, executors,
      administrators, assigns, affiliates or agents; provided, however, that
      notwithstanding the foregoing, the release set forth herein shall not apply
      to,
      and shall have no effect with respect to, claims, liabilities, damages, actions,
      costs, losses and expenses arising out of Executive's actions which are finally
      determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been a felony violation
      of criminal law directed against the Company.

     

    Section
      17.
      Executive represents to the Company that in executing this Agreement he does
      not
      rely and has not relied upon any representation or statement not set forth
      herein made by the Company or by any of the Company's agents, representatives
      or
      attorneys with regard to the subject matter, basis or effect of this Agreement
      or otherwise.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    Section
      18.
      Executive acknowledges by signing this Agreement that Executive has read and
      understands this document, that Executive has conferred with or had opportunity
      to confer with Executive's attorney regarding the terms and meaning of this
      Agreement, that Executive has had sufficient time to consider the terms provided
      for in this Agreement, that no representations or inducements have been made
      to
      Executive except as set forth in this Agreement, and that Executive has signed
      the same KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY.

     

    Section
      19.
      Except
      for the provisions of Section 11 relating to indemnification which shall be
      governed by Nevada law, this Agreement will be governed by and construed and
      enforced under the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict
      of laws rules. Except for any action brought by the Company to specifically
      enforce the provisions of this Agreement, any proceeding relating to this
      Agreement shall be brought in a state or federal court located in Winnebago
      County, Illinois. The Company and Executive hereby consent to personal
      jurisdiction in any such action and to service of process by mail at the
      addresses set forth herein and waive any objection to venue in any such Illinois
      court.

     

    Section
      20.
      In
      the
      event that any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement is held to be
      invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability
      of
      the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
      Moreover, if any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement
      is
      held to be excessively broad as to duration, scope, activity or subject, such
      provisions will be construed by limiting and reducing them so as to be
      enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with applicable law.

    

    Each
      party acknowledges and agrees that the other party will or would suffer
      irreparable injury in the event of a breach or violation or threatened breach
      or
      violation of any provision of this Agreement and therefore agrees that, in
      the
      event of an actual or threatened breach or violation of such provisions, the
      other party shall be awarded injunctive relief in a court of appropriate
      jurisdiction to prohibit or remedy any such violation or breach or threatened
      violation or breach, without the necessity of posting any bond or security,
      and
      such right to injunctive relief shall be in addition to any other right or
      remedy available to the other party.

    
 

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    Section
      21.
      Any
      notice to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given
      when
      mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed as
      follows:

     

    To
      Executive at:

    

    Kenneth
      E. Edge

    12256
      Leighton Drive

    Caledonia,
      IL 61011

    

    with
      a
      copy to:

    

    Richard
      W. Burke, Sr.

    Burke
      Warren MacKay & Serritella PC

    330
      N.
      Wabash Avenue, Suite 2200

    Chicago,
      IL 60611-3607

    

    To
      the
      Company at:

    

    AMCORE
      Financial, Inc.

    501
      Seventh Street

    Rockford,
      Illinois 61104

    Attention:
      James Waddell

    

    with
      a
      copy to:

    

    William
      R. Kunkel

    Skadden,
      Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

    333
      West
      Wacker Drive

    Suite
      2100

    Chicago,
      Illinois 60606

     

    Section
      22.
      This
      Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the parties hereto and may
      not
      be changed without the written consent of the parties. This Agreement supersedes
      all prior agreements, understandings and proposals, whether oral or written,
      by
      either party or by any officer, employee or representative of either party
      hereto. The parties may execute this Agreement in two or more counterparts
      each
      of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one
      and
      the same instrument. Executive also acknowledges and agrees that Executive's
      Amended and Restated Transitional Compensation Agreement, dated as of November
      1, 2007, shall terminate effective as of February 22, 2008, and thereafter
      shall
      be null and void.

     

    Section
      23.
      This
      Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties
      hereto and their respective successors and assigns. The Company will require
      any
      successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or
      otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
      Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same
      manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform
      it
      if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company"
      shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business
      and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement,
      by operation of law or otherwise. In the event that a successor (whether direct
      or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
      substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company fails to perform
      this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to recover any legal fees and
      expenses incurred in enforcing this Agreement against such
      successor.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        10

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

     

    Section
      24.
      The
      Company and Executive agree that neither this Agreement nor the performance
      by
      the parties hereunder constitutes an admission by any of the parties released
      in
      Section 16 of any violation of any federal, state or local law, regulation,
      common law, breach of any contract or any other wrongdoing of any
      type.

     

    Section
      25.
      The
      Company will pay the reasonable legal expenses (as shown on appropriate
      documentation) incurred by Executive in connection with the negotiation and
      preparation of this Agreement up to $10,000.

     

    Section
      26.
      If any
      provision of this Agreement is deemed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
      Corporation or an appropriate federal banking agency to require a “golden
      parachute payment” or a “prohibited indemnification payment” under 12 C.F.R.
      part 359, then the effectiveness of such provision, and the Company's obligation
      to make any payment thereunder, shall be subject to regulatory approval. The
      Company and Executive will cooperate to use all reasonable efforts to obtain
      all
      necessary regulatory approvals as promptly as possible. Notwithstanding whether
      such approvals are obtained, all other provisions of this Agreement shall remain
      in full force and effect.

    

    IN
      WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the signing
      date
      set forth above.

     

    

      
        
          	 	 	AMCORE FINANCIAL,
                  INC. 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By: 	 
	
                  
                    
                            
                    Kenneth E. Edge

                	 	 	
                  
Name:
                  Jack D. Ward
	
                	 	 	
                  Title:
                    Chairman of Compensation Committee

                           
                    of the Board of
                    Directors

                

        

      

    

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        11

        
          

        

      

       

    

    EXHIBIT
      A

    

    
      	
              Grant
                Date

            	 	
              Expiration

              Date

            	 	
              Plan
                ID

            	 	
              Number
                of Options

              Granted

            	 	
              Option
                Price

            	 	
              Number
                of Options Exercisable at 2/22/08

            	 
	
              5/22/2007*

            	 	 	
              5/20/2008

            	 	 	
              1995

            	 	 	
              10,698

            	 	 	
              30.1350

            	 	 	
              10,698

            	 
	
              5/9/2000

            	 	 	
              5/9/2010

            	 	 	
              2000

            	 	 	
              20,000

            	 	 	
              19.2815

            	 	 	
              5,000

            	 
	
              5/16/2001

            	 	 	
              5/16/2011

            	 	 	
              2000

            	 	 	
              25,000

            	 	 	
              20.1500

            	 	 	
              25,000

            	 
	
              1/10/2002

            	 	 	
              1/10/2009

            	 	 	
              2000

            	 	 	
              45,278

            	 	 	
              22.7050

            	 	 	
              45,278

            	 
	
              5/15/2002

            	 	 	
              5/15/2009

            	 	 	
              2000

            	 	 	
              35,399

            	 	 	
              24.5050

            	 	 	
              35,399

            	 
	
              5/7/2003

            	 	 	
              5/7/2010

            	 	 	
              2000

            	 	 	
              9,879

            	 	 	
              23.7750

            	 	 	
              9,879

            	 
	
              5/7/2003

            	 	 	
              5/7/2010

            	 	 	
              2000

            	 	 	
              18,741

            	 	 	
              23.7750

            	 	 	
              18,741

            	 
	
              5/9/2003

            	 	 	
              5/9/2010

            	 	 	
              2000

            	 	 	
              21,259

            	 	 	
              23.7600

            	 	 	
              21,259

            	 
	
              6/16/2003*

            	 	 	
              5/9/2010

            	 	 	
              2000

            	 	 	
              12,966

            	 	 	
              23.8700

            	 	 	
              12,966

            	 
	
              6/10/2004*

            	 	 	
              8/13/2009

            	 	 	
              1995

            	 	 	
              17,279

            	 	 	
              29.0000

            	 	 	
              17,279

            	 
	
              1/20/2005

            	 	 	
              1/20/2015

            	 	 	
              2000

            	 	 	
              45,000

            	 	 	
              29.8900

            	 	 	
              45,000

            	 
	
              1/23/2006

            	 	 	
              1/23/2016

            	 	 	
              2005

            	 	 	
              52,000

            	 	 	
              30.5950

            	 	 	
              34,667

            	 
	
              1/25/2007

            	 	 	
              1/25/2017

            	 	 	
              2005

            	 	 	
              51,550

            	 	 	
              32.9400

            	 	 	
              12,887

            	 
	
              2/7/2007

            	 	 	
              2/7/2017

            	 	 	
              2005

            	 	 	
              25,400

            	 	 	
              34.4900

            	 	 	
              6,350

            	 
	
              1/24/2008

            	 	 	
              1/24/2018

            	 	 	
              2005

            	 	 	
              80,000

            	 	 	
              20.4200

            	 	 	
              0

            	 

    

    

    *
      Reload
      date

       

    

    
      	
              ·

            	
               Executive
                also has 2,627
                shares of restricted stock which were issued on 1/3/2000 and which
                restrictions will lapse according to the agreement with respect
                thereto.

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00137-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00137-of-00352.parquet"}]]