TRANSPORTATION AND ENERGY

The Region's transportation system and infrastructure leads the nation, with
strong representation in the principal modes of air, water, highway and rail.
The economy is less energy intensive than other parts of the nation.

* More than 922,800 miles of improved roadway include 10,406 miles of
interstate highway of 23% of the national total.

* More than 33,595 miles of major rail line provide the Region with the
densest rail service network in the nation.

* The low-cost shipping option available through the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence
Seaway and the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers gives Regional business the unique
advantage of access to two navigation systems.

* Airports in the Great Lakes Region handle more than half of all U.S.
travelers.

* The Region accounts for only 28% of total U.S. electricity usage and 27% of
U.S. natural gas consumption.

* With air conditioning a major energy use category nationally, the Region's
relative low number of cooling degree days contributes to lower energy
expenditures.


ILLINOIS IS THE TRANSPORTATION HUB OF THE U.S.--ILLINOIS' O'HARE AIRPORT IS
THE WORLD'S BUSIEST; EVERY MAJOR U.S. CITY IS DIRECTLY ACCESSIBLE BY RAIL FROM
ILLINOIS; MORE U.S. INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS INTERSECT IN ILLINOIS THAN IN ANY
OTHER STATE, MAKING IT A HUB FOR THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY.

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MARKET PROXIMITY: The Great Lakes states are within a day's drive for more
than 55% of the U.S. consumer and industrial market.