GLENVIEW, IL -- The board of directors of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) has authorized a two-for-one common stock split. The board's action is subject to the approval of shareholders at the annual meeting to be held on May 5, to increase the number of authorized common shares from 350 million to 700 million.

The record date for the split is expected to be May 18, with distribution of split shares to follow on or about May 25. The company last split its stock in 1997, when the board approved a similar two-for-one share split.

ITW had $12.9 billion in revenues in 2005.

For more information about Illinois Tool Works, go to: www.itw.com .

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