ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 18, 2003 CONTACT: Dave Druker

Jesse White Announces Emergency Hot Line Numbers

CHICAGO — Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White today announced a short term plan to address services that have been affected by the fire in the Cook County Administration Building, 69 W. Washington in Chicago.

The 12th floor of the building houses the Secretary of State's Business Services Department; the Illinois Securities Department; and the Drivers' Services Reinstatement Division. In addition, a Driver Services Express Facility is located in the concourse level of the building.

White has established the following hotlines for each of the following services:

• Business Services: 217-782-6961 and 217-524-1159 This department registers and maintains records for corporations and not-for-profit companies doing business in Illinois.

• Illinois Securities Department: 217-782-2256 or 1-800-628-7937 This department regulates the offer and sale of Securities to protect investors.

• Drivers' Services Reinstatement Division: 312-814-5887 This division reinstates drivers whose licenses have been suspended.

White also announced that the Driver Services Express facility will be temporarily closed until the building is reopened. Those employees will be relocated to the Driver Services Facility located in the concourse of the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph in Chicago. Customers are urged to visit that or any other facility in the Chicago Metro area.

"We are reviewing our options for a more permanent solution," White said. "I want to stress to the public that customer service remains my top priority during this difficult time. I also want to express my condolences to the families that lost loved ones on Friday."