ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
10-K, 1998-03-31
PLASTICS PRODUCTS, NEC
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<PAGE>   1
 
================================================================================
                UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                             ---------------------
 
                                   FORM 10-K
 
<TABLE>
<C>              <S>
   (MARK ONE)
      [X]        ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                 THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                              OR
      [  ]       TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                 THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM --------------- TO
                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
                         Commission file number 1-4797
 
                            ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
 
<TABLE>
  <S>                                      <C>
                 DELAWARE                      36-1258310
      (State or Other Jurisdiction of       (I.R.S. Employer
      Incorporation or Organization)       Identification No.)
 
  3600 W. LAKE AVENUE, GLENVIEW, ILLINOIS      60025-5811
      (Address of Principal Executive          (Zip Code)
                 Offices)
</TABLE>
 
       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (847) 724-7500
 
          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  TITLE OF EACH CLASS  NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH REGISTERED
  -------------------  -----------------------------------------
  <S>                  <C>
     Common Stock               New York Stock Exchange
                                Chicago Stock Exchange
</TABLE>
 
        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
 
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
                            Yes  X           No  ___
 
     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]
 
     The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the registrant as of March 10, 1998, was approximately $11,300,000,000.
 
     Shares of Common Stock outstanding at March 10, 1998 -- 249,760,628.
 
                                ---------------
 
                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
1997 Annual Report to Stockholders...............................Parts I, II, IV
Proxy Statement dated March 26, 1998 for Annual Meeting of Stockholders
  to be held on May 8, 1998.............................................Part III
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
                                     PART I
 
ITEM 1.  BUSINESS
 
GENERAL
 
     Illinois Tool Works Inc. (the "Company") was founded in 1912 and
incorporated in 1915. The Company manufactures and markets a variety of products
and systems that provide specific, problem-solving solutions for a diverse
customer base worldwide. The Company has more than 365 operations in 34
countries. The Company's business units are divided into three segments:
Engineered Components, Industrial Systems and Consumables, and Leasing and
Investments. Products in the Company's Engineered Components Segment include
short lead-time components and fasteners primarily for automotive, construction
and general industrial applications. This segment also manufactures specialty
products such as adhesives and static-control equipment. Industrial Systems and
Consumables products include longer lead-time machinery and related consumables
primarily for food and beverage, construction, automotive and general industrial
markets. They also manufacture specialty products for applications such as
industrial spray coating and quality measurement. The Leasing and Investment
segment makes investments that utilize the Company's cash flow, including
mortgage-related investments, leveraged and direct financing leases of
equipment, investments in properties and property developments, and affordable
housing investments.
 
     In the first quarter of 1993, the Company acquired the Miller Group
Ltd.("Miller"), a manufacturer of arc welding equipment, through an exchange of
ITW voting Common Stock for all of the voting Common Stock of Miller. In early
1996, the Company acquired all of the voting stock of Hobart Brothers Company
("Hobart"), a manufacturer of welding products, in exchange for shares of ITW
voting common stock. As a result, the Miller and Hobart acquisitions have been
accounted for as poolings of interests in conformity with Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles, specifically paragraphs 46 through 48 of Accounting
Principles Board Opinion ("APB") No. 16. Accordingly, the results of operations
for Miller and Hobart have been included in the Statement of Income as of the
beginning of 1993 and 1996, respectively. The impact of Miller and Hobart on
consolidated operating revenues, net income and net income per share was not
significant. Therefore, the 1992 and 1995 financial statements have not been
restated to reflect the acquisitions of Miller and Hobart, respectively.
 
     In late 1996, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common stock of
Azon Limited ("Azon"), an Australian manufacturer of strapping and other
industrial products. The acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase, and
accordingly, the acquired net assets have been recorded at their estimated fair
values at the date of acquisition. The results of operations have been included
in the Statement of Income from the acquisition date, except for the Azon
businesses which were expected to be sold, which were not consolidated at
December 31, 1996. During 1997, the Company disposed of the majority of the Azon
businesses which were expected to be sold. Based on the assumption that the Azon
acquisition had occurred on January 1, 1996 or January 1, 1995, the Company's
pro forma operating revenues, net income and net income per share would not have
been significantly different.
 
     During the five-year period ending December 31, 1997, the Company acquired
and disposed of numerous other operations which did not materially impact
consolidated results.
 
CURRENT YEAR DEVELOPMENTS
 
     Refer to pages 18 through 22, Management's Discussion and Analysis, in the
Company's 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders.
<PAGE>   3
 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT INDUSTRY SEGMENTS
 
     The percentage contributions to operating revenues for the last three years
by industry segment are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   INDUSTRIAL
                                                      ENGINEERED   SYSTEMS AND   LEASING AND
                                                      COMPONENTS   CONSUMABLES   INVESTMENTS
                                                      ----------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>           <C>
1997................................................     42%           56%           2%
1996................................................     43%           56%           1%
1995................................................     42%           57%           1%
</TABLE>
 
     Segment and geographic data are included on pages 18 through 20 and 26 of
the Company's 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders.
 
     The principal markets served by the Company's two manufacturing segments
are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              % OF OPERATING REVENUES
                                                              ------------------------
                                                                           INDUSTRIAL
                                                              ENGINEERED   SYSTEMS AND
                                                              COMPONENTS   CONSUMABLES
                                                              ----------   -----------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Automotive..................................................      39%          11%
Construction................................................      29%          13%
General Industrial..........................................      14%          27%
Food and Beverage...........................................      --%          16%
Industrial Capital Goods....................................       3%           7%
Consumer Durables...........................................       9%           3%
Paper Products..............................................       --           7%
Electronics.................................................       4%           4%
Other.......................................................       2%          12%
                                                                 ----         ----
                                                                 100%         100%
                                                                 ====         ====
</TABLE>
 
     Operating results of the segments are described on pages 18 through 20 and
26 of the Company's 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders.
 
BACKLOG
 
     Backlog generally is not considered a significant factor in the Company's
businesses as relatively short delivery periods and rapid inventory turnover are
characteristic of many of its products.
 
     Backlog by manufacturing segment as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 is
summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   BACKLOG IN
                                                              THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
                                                       -----------------------------------
                                                                    INDUSTRIAL
                                                       ENGINEERED   SYSTEMS AND
                                                       COMPONENTS   CONSUMABLES    TOTAL
                                                       ----------   -----------   --------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>           <C>
1997.................................................   $265,000     $231,000     $496,000
1996.................................................   $238,000     $221,000     $459,000
</TABLE>
 
     Backlog orders scheduled for shipment beyond calendar year 1998 were not
material in either manufacturing segment as of December 31, 1997.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
     The information set forth below is equally applicable to all industry
segments of the Company unless otherwise noted.
 
COMPETITION
 
     The Company's global competitive environment is complex because of the wide
diversity of products the Company manufactures and the markets it serves.
Depending on the product or market, the Company may compete with a few other
companies or with many others, some of which may be the Company's own licensees.
 
     The Company is a leading producer of plastic and metal components,
fasteners and assemblies; industrial fluids and adhesives; tooling for specialty
applications; welding products; packaging systems and related consumables;
industrial spray coating and static control equipment and systems; and quality
assurance equipment and systems.
 
RAW MATERIALS
 
     The Company uses raw materials of various types, primarily metals and
plastics that are available from numerous commercial sources. The availability
of materials and energy has not resulted in any business interruptions or other
major problems, nor are any such problems anticipated.
 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 
     The Company's growth has resulted from developing new and improved
products, broadening the application of established products, continuing efforts
to improve and develop new methods, processes and equipment, and from
acquisitions. Many new products are designed to reduce customers' costs by
eliminating steps in their manufacturing processes, reducing the number of parts
in an assembly, or by improving the quality of customers' assembled products.
Typically, the development of such products is accomplished by working closely
with customers on specific applications. Identifiable research and development
costs are set forth on page 27 of the Company's 1997 Annual Report to
Stockholders. Research and development expenditures in 1997 in local currencies
were consistent with 1996, however U.S. dollar expenditures decreased in 1997 as
a result of the negative impact of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar.
 
     The Company owns approximately 1,770 unexpired United States patents
covering articles, methods and machines. Many counterparts of these patents have
also been obtained in various foreign countries. In addition, the Company has
approximately 333 applications for patents pending in the United States Patent
Office, but there is no assurance that any patent will be issued. The Company
maintains an active patent department for the administration of patents and
processing of patent applications.
 
     The Company believes that many of its patents are valuable and important.
Nevertheless, the Company credits its leadership in the markets it serves to
engineering capability; manufacturing techniques, skills and efficiency;
marketing and sales promotion; and service and delivery of quality products to
its customers.
 
TRADEMARKS
 
     Many of the Company's products are sold under various trademarks owned or
licensed by the Company. Among the most significant are: ITW, Apex, Buildex,
Deltar, Devcon, DeVilbiss, Fastex, Hi-Cone, Hobart, Keps, Magnaflux, Miller,
Minigrip, Newtec, Oxo, Paktron, Paslode, Powcon, Ramset, Ransburg, Red Head,
Shakeproof, Signode, Teks, Tenax and Zip-Pak.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL
 
     The Company believes that its plants and equipment are in substantial
compliance with applicable environmental regulations. Additional measures to
maintain compliance are not expected to materially affect the Company's capital
expenditures, competitive position, financial position or results of operations.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
     Various legislative and administrative regulations concerning environmental
issues have become effective or are under consideration in many parts of the
world relating to manufacturing processes, and the sale or use of certain
products. To date, such developments have not had a substantial adverse impact
on the Company's sales or earnings. The Company has made considerable efforts to
develop and sell environmentally compatible products resulting in new and
expanding marketing opportunities.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     The Company employed approximately 25,700 persons as of December 31, 1997
and considers its employee relations to be excellent.
 
INTERNATIONAL
 
     The Company's international operations include subsidiaries, joint ventures
and licensees in 34 countries on six continents. These operations serve such
markets as automotive, food and beverage, construction, general industrial,
industrial capital goods and others on a worldwide basis. The Company's
international subsidiaries contributed approximately 36% of operating revenues
in 1997 and 1996.
 
     Refer to pages 18 through 22 in the Company's 1997 Annual Report to
Stockholders for additional information on international activities.
International operations are subject to certain risks inherent in conducting
business in foreign countries, including price controls, exchange controls,
limitations on participation in local enterprises, nationalization,
expropriation and other governmental action, and changes in currency exchange
rates.
 
YEAR 2000
 
     Refer to page 22 in the Company's 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders for
discussion of the effect on the Company of the Year 2000 computer issue.
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     Executive Officers of the Company as of March 23, 1998:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                                                OFFICE                          AGE
- ----                                                                ------                          ---
<S>                                          <C>                                                    <C>
Thomas W. Buckman........................    Vice President, Patents and Technology                 60
W. James Farrell.........................    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer                   55
Russell M. Flaum.........................    Executive Vice President                               47
Michael W. Gregg.........................    Senior Vice President and Controller, Accounting       62
Thomas J. Hansen.........................    Executive Vice President                               49
Stewart S. Hudnut........................    Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary   58
John Karpan..............................    Senior Vice President, Human Resources                 57
Jon C. Kinney............................    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer      55
Dennis J. Martin.........................    Executive Vice President                               47
Frank S. Ptak............................    Vice Chairman                                          54
F. Ronald Seager.........................    Executive Vice President                               57
Harold B. Smith..........................    Chairman of the Executive Committee                    64
David B. Speer...........................    Executive Vice President                               46
Allan C. Sutherland......................    Senior Vice President                                  34
Donald L. VanErden.......................    Vice President, Research and Advanced Development      62
Hugh J. Zentmeyer........................    Executive Vice President                               51
</TABLE>
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
     Except for Messrs. Hansen, Kinney, Martin, Speer, Sutherland, and
Zentmeyer, each of the foregoing officers has been employed by the Company in
various elected executive capacities for more than five years. The executive
officers of the Company serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. Mr.
Hansen joined the Company in 1980 and has held various management positions
within the Company's Engineered Components segment. Mr. Kinney joined the
Company in 1973 and has served as Vice President and Controller, Operations, and
Group Controller of several of the Company's businesses. Mr. Martin joined the
Company in 1991 and has held several management positions in the Industrial
Systems and Consumables segment. Mr. Speer joined the Company in 1978 and has
held various sales, marketing and general management positions within the
Engineered Components segment. Mr. Sutherland joined the Company in 1993 after
serving as a senior tax manager with Ernst & Young and has served the Company in
various capacities, most recently as Vice President of Leasing and Investments.
Mr. Zentmeyer joined Signode Corporation (which was acquired by the Company in
1986) in 1968 and has held various management positions in the Industrial
Systems and Consumables segment.
 
ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES
 
     As of December 31, 1997 the Company operated the following plants and
office facilities, excluding regional sales offices and warehouse facilities:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      NUMBER            FLOOR SPACE
                                                        OF        ------------------------
                                                    PROPERTIES    OWNED    LEASED    TOTAL
                                                    ----------    -----    ------    -----
                                                                   (IN MILLIONS OF SQUARE
                                                                           FEET)
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>      <C>       <C>
Domestic --
  Engineered Components...........................     103         4.1      2.0       6.1
  Industrial Systems and Consumables..............      85         3.6      1.7       5.3
  Leasing and Investments.........................      20          .9       .1       1.0
                                                       ---        ----      ---      ----
                                                       208         8.6      3.8      12.4
                                                       ---        ----      ---      ----
International --
  Engineered Components...........................      69         1.8       .6       2.4
  Industrial Systems and Consumables..............      66         2.6       .9       3.5
                                                       ---        ----      ---      ----
                                                       135         4.4      1.5       5.9
                                                       ---        ----      ---      ----
Corporate.........................................      12         1.3       --       1.3
                                                       ---        ----      ---      ----
                                                       355        14.3      5.3      19.6
                                                       ===        ====      ===      ====
</TABLE>
 
     The principal international plants are in Australia, Belgium, Canada,
France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
the United Kingdom.
 
     The Company's properties are primarily of steel, brick or concrete
construction and are maintained in good operating condition. Productive
capacity, in general, currently exceeds operating levels. Capacity levels are
somewhat flexible based on the number of shifts operated and on the number of
overtime hours worked. The Company adds productive capacity from time to time as
required by increased demand. Additions to capacity can be made within a
reasonable period of time due to the nature of the businesses.
 
ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     Not applicable.
 
ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
     Not applicable.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
                                    PART II
 
ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS
 
     This information is incorporated by reference to page 39 of the Company's
1997 Annual Report to Stockholders.
 
ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     This information is incorporated by reference to pages 40 and 41 of the
Company's 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders.
 
ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
 
     This information is incorporated by reference to pages 18 through 22 of the
Company's 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders.
 
ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
     This information is incorporated by reference to page 22 of the Company's
1997 Annual Report to Stockholders.
 
ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
     The financial statements and report thereon of Arthur Andersen LLP dated
January 27, 1998, as found on pages 23 through 38 and supplementary data on page
39 of the Company's 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders, are incorporated by
reference.
 
ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
     Not applicable.
 
                                    PART III
 
ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
 
     Information regarding the Directors of the Company is incorporated by
reference to the information under the caption "Election of Directors" in the
Company's Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
 
     Information regarding the Executive Officers of the Company can be found in
Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K on page 4.
 
ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     This information is incorporated by reference to the information under the
caption "Executive Compensation" in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 1998
Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
 
ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
     This information is incorporated by reference to the information under the
caption "Security Ownership" in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 1998
Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
 
ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
     Dennis J. Martin, Executive Vice President, had an non-interest bearing
relocation loan outstanding in 1997. The maximum amount of the loan outstanding
in 1997 was $107,000, which by March 26, 1998 had been reduced to $50,000.
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
     Frank S. Ptak, Vice Chairman, had loans bearing interest at a rate of 5.91%
per annum related to stock transactions outstanding in 1997. The maximum amount
of the loan outstanding in 1997 was $63,675, which by February 28, 1998, had
been reduced to $60,593.
 
     Additional information is incorporated by reference to the information
under the captions "Directors Compensation" and "Executive Compensation" in the
Company's Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
 
                                    PART IV
 
ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
  (a)(1) Financial Statements
 
     The financial statements and report thereon of Arthur Andersen LLP dated
January 27, 1998 as found on pages 23 through 39 of the Company's 1997 Annual
Report to Stockholders, are incorporated by reference.
 
  (2) Financial Statement Schedule
 
     The following supplementary financial data should be read in conjunction
with the financial statements and notes thereto as presented in the Company's
1997 Annual Report to Stockholders. Schedules not included with this
supplementary financial data have been omitted because they are not applicable,
immaterial or the required information is included in the financial statements
or the related notes to financial statements.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              SCHEDULE   PAGE
                                                                NO.      NO.
                                                              --------   ----
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts...........................     II       10
</TABLE>
 
  (3) Exhibits
 
     (i) See the Exhibit Index on page 11 of this Form 10-K.
 
     (ii) Pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(4)(iii), the Company has not
filed with Exhibit 4 any debt instruments for which the total amount of
securities authorized thereunder are less than 10% of the total assets of the
Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of December 31, 1997,
with the exception of the agreements related to the 7 1/2% and 5 7/8% Notes,
which are filed with Exhibit 4. The Company agrees to furnish a copy of the
agreements related to the debt instruments which have not been filed with
Exhibit 4 to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
 
  (b) Reports on Form 8-K
 
     No reports on Form 8-K have been filed during the three months ended
December 31, 1997.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
                                  ON SCHEDULE
 
To Illinois Tool Works Inc.:
 
     We have audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
the financial statements included in Illinois Tool Works Inc.'s 1997 Annual
Report to Stockholders, incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K, and have
issued our report thereon dated January 27, 1998. Our audits were made for the
purpose of forming an opinion on those statements taken as a whole. The schedule
listed in the accompanying index is the responsibility of the Company's
management and is presented for the purpose of complying with the Securities and
Exchange Commission's rules and is not part of the basic financial statements.
The schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit
of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, fairly states in all
material respects the financial data required to be set forth therein in
relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Chicago, Illinois,
January 27, 1998
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on this 27th day of
March 1998.
 
                                          ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
 
                                          By      /s/ W. JAMES FARRELL
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                      W. James Farrell
                                                   Director, Chairman and
                                                  Chief Executive Officer
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and
in the capacities indicated on this 27th day of March 1998.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    SIGNATURES                                            TITLE
                    ----------                                            -----
<C>                                                   <S>
 
                /s/ JON C. KINNEY                     Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
- --------------------------------------------------      Officer,
                  Jon C. Kinney                         (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)
 
                 MICHAEL J. BIRCK                     Director
 
               MARVIN D. BRAILSFORD                   Director
 
                   SUSAN CROWN                        Director
 
               H. RICHARD CROWTHER                    Director
 
                 W. JAMES FARRELL                     Director
 
                 L. RICHARD FLURY                     Director
 
               ROBERT C. MCCORMACK                    Director
 
                PHILLIP B. ROONEY                     Director
 
                 HAROLD B. SMITH                      Director
 
                  ORMAND J. WADE                      Director
</TABLE>
 
                                            By     /s/ W. JAMES FARRELL
 
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                      (W. James Farrell
                                                    as Attorney-in-Fact)
 
     Original powers of attorney authorizing W. James Farrell to sign this
Annual Report on Form 10-K and amendments thereto on behalf of the above-named
directors of the registrant have been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (Exhibit 24).
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
                                                                     SCHEDULE II
 
                            ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
                       VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1996, AND 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 DEDUCTIONS
                                                                    -------------------------------------
                                                                    RECEIVABLES
                           BALANCE AT   PROVISIONS                  WRITTEN OFF,                             BALANCE
                           BEGINNING    CHARGED TO                     NET OF                       (1)      AT END
                           OF PERIOD      INCOME     ACQUISITIONS    RECOVERIES    DISPOSITIONS    OTHER    OF PERIOD
                           ----------   ----------   ------------   ------------   ------------   -------   ---------
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                        <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>       <C>
 
Year Ended December 31,
  1995:
  Allowance for
     uncollectible
     accounts............    19,600        6,889         2,672          (5,763)        (414)          516     23,500
Year Ended December 31,
  1996:
  Allowances for
     uncollectible
     accounts............    23,500        4,451         4,836         (10,319)         111          (179)    22,400
Year Ended December 31,
  1997:
  Allowance for
     uncollectible
     accounts............    22,400        6,268           989          (5,639)          --        (3,218)    20,800
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Includes the effects of foreign currency translation and other reserve
    adjustments.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
                           ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
                                      1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                 DESCRIPTION
- -------                                -----------
<C>       <C>  <S>
 3(a)     --   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Illinois Tool Works
               Inc., as amended, filed as Exhibit 3(a) to the Company's
               Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
               March 31, 1997 (Commission File No. 1-4797) and incorporated
               herein by reference.
 3(b)     --   By-laws of Illinois Tool Works Inc., as amended, filed as
               Exhibit 3(b) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
               for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997 (Commission
               File No. 1-4797) and incorporated herein by reference.
 4(a)     --   Indenture, dated as of November 1, 1986, between Illinois
               Tool Works Inc. and The First National Bank of Chicago, as
               Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company's Registration
               Statement on Form S-3 (Registration Statement No. 33-5780)
               filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14,
               1986 and incorporated herein by reference.
 4(b)     --   Resignation of Trustee and Appointment of Successor under
               Indenture (Exhibit 4(a)), filed as Exhibit 4(b) to the
               Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
               ended December 31, 1989 (Commission File No. 1-4797) and
               incorporated herein by reference.
 4(c)     --   First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 1, 1990
               between Illinois Tool Works Inc. and Harris Trust and
               Savings Bank, as Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4-3 to the
               Company's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration
               Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-5780) filed with
               the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 8, 1990 and
               incorporated herein by reference.
 4(d)     --   Officers' Certificate Pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.04 of
               the Indenture (Exhibit 4(a) as amended by Exhibit 4(c))
               related to the 5 7/8% Notes due March 1, 2000, filed as
               Exhibit 4(e) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
               the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992 (Commission File No.
               1-4797) and incorporated herein by reference.
 4(e)     --   Form of 7 1/2% Notes due December 1, 1998, filed as Exhibit
               4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated December
               2, 1991 and incorporated herein by reference.
 4(f)     --   Form of 5 7/8% Notes due March 1, 2000, filed as Exhibit
               4(f) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
               fiscal year ended December 31, 1992 (Commission File No.
               1-4797) and incorporated herein by reference.
10(a)     --   Illinois Tool Works Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, dated
               February 16, 1996, as amended on December 12, 1997.
10(b)     --   Illinois Tool Works Inc. 1982 Executive Contributory
               Retirement Income Plan adopted December 13, 1982, filed as
               Exhibit 10(c) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
               for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1990 (Commission File
               No. 1-4797) and incorporated herein by reference.
10(c)     --   Illinois Tool Works Inc. 1985 Executive Contributory
               Retirement Income Plan adopted December 1985, filed as
               Exhibit 10(d) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
               for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1990 (Commission File
               No. 1-4797) and incorporated herein by reference.
10(d)     --   Amendment to the Illinois Tool Works Inc. 1985 Executive
               Contributory Retirement Income Plan dated May 1, 1996, filed
               as Exhibit 10(c) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
               10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1996
               (Commission File No. 1-4797) and incorporated herein by
               reference.
10(e)     --   Illinois Tool Works Inc. Executive Incentive Plan adopted
               February 16, 1996, filed as Exhibit 10(a) to the Company's
               Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
               June 30, 1996 (Commission File No. 1-4797) and incorporated
               herein by reference.
10(f)     --   Supplemental Plan for Employees of Illinois Tool Works Inc.,
               effective January 1, 1989, filed as Exhibit 10(d) to the
               Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
               ended December 31, 1989 (Commission File No. 1-4797) and
               incorporated herein by reference.
</TABLE>
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                 DESCRIPTION
- -------                                -----------
<S>       <C>  <C>
10(g)     --   Non-officer directors' restricted stock program, and
               non-officer directors' phantom stock plan, descriptions of
               which are under the caption "Directors' Compensation" in the
               Company's Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of
               Stockholders.
10(h)     --   Illinois Tool Works Inc. Outside Directors' Deferred Fee
               Plan dated December 12, 1980.
10(i)     --   Illinois Tool Works Inc. Phantom Stock Plan for Non-officer
               Directors, filed as Exhibit 10(e) to the Company's Quarterly
               Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30,
               1996 (Commission File No. 1-4797) and incorporated herein by
               reference.
10(j)     --   Underwriting Agreement dated November 20, 1991, related to
               the 7 1/2% Notes due December 1, 1998, filed as Exhibit 1 to
               the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 2,
               1991 and incorporated herein by reference.
10(k)     --   Underwriting Agreement dated February 23, 1993, related to
               the 5 7/8% Notes due March 1, 2000, filed as Exhibit 10(j)
               to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
               year ended December 31, 1992 (Commission File No. 1-4797)
               and incorporated herein by reference.
10(l)     --   Illinois Tool Works Inc. 1993 Executive Contributory
               Retirement Income Plan, filed as Exhibit 10(a) to the
               Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
               period ended March 31, 1993 (Commission File No. 1-4797) and
               incorporated herein by reference.
10(m)     --   Amendment to the Illinois Tool Works Inc. 1993 Executive
               Contributory Retirement Income Plan dated December 5, 1994,
               filed as Exhibit 10(n) to the Company's Annual Report on
               Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994
               (Commission File No. 1-4797) and incorporated herein by
               reference.
10(n)     --   Amendment to the Illinois Tool Works Inc. 1993 Executive
               Contributory Retirement Income Plan dated June 24, 1996,
               filed as Exhibit 10(d) to the Company's Quarterly Report on
               Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1996
               (Commission File No. 1-4797) and incorporated herein by
               reference.
13        --   The Company's 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders, pages
               18 -- 41.
21        --   Subsidiaries and Affiliates of the Company.
22        --   Information under the captions "Election of Directors,"
               "Executive Compensation" and "Security Ownership" in the
               Company's Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of
               Stockholders.
23        --   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
24        --   Powers of Attorney.
27        --   Financial Data Schedule.
99        --   Description of the capital stock of Illinois Tool Works
               Inc., filed as Exhibit 99 to the Company's Quarterly Report
               of Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997
               (Commission File No. 1-4797) and incorporated herein by
               reference.
</TABLE>
 
                                       12

<PAGE>   1
                                                                  Exhibit 10(a)













                            ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
                            1996 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN








             Approved by the Board of Directors on February 16, 1996
                     and by the Stockholders on May 3, 1996
             Amended by the Board of Directors on December 12, 1997





















Dated:  December 12, 1997
<PAGE>   2





                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


Section 1.     Purpose........................................................1


Section 2.     Definitions....................................................1


Section 3.     Administration.................................................3


Section 4.     Common Stock Subject to Plan...................................3


Section 5.     Options........................................................3


Section 6.     Stock Awards...................................................4


Section 7.     Performance Units..............................................5


Section 8.     Stock Appreciation Rights......................................5


Section 9.     Termination of Employment......................................6


Section 10.    Adjustment Provisions..........................................7


Section 11.    Term...........................................................7


Section 12.    Corporate Change...............................................7


Section 13.    General Provisions.............................................7


Section 14.    Amendment or Discontinuance of the Plan........................8


                                       -i-

<PAGE>   3

                            ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
                            1996 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

SECTION 1.     PURPOSE

        The purpose of the Plan is to encourage Key Employees to have a greater
financial investment in the Company through ownership of its Common Stock. The
Plan is an amendment and restatement of the 1979 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1979
Plan"). The terms of the Plan will apply to all outstanding Incentives granted
under the 1979 Plan, including those pertaining to a Corporate Change and
termination of employment as described below. No additional Incentives will be
granted under the 1979 Plan.

SECTION 2.     DEFINITIONS

       Board:  The Board of Directors of the Company.

       Code:  The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

       Committee:  The  Compensation  Committee  of  the  Board  or  such  other
committee as shall be appointed by the Board to administer  the Plan pursuant to
Section 3.

       Common Stock: The Common Stock, without par value, of the Company or such
other class of shares or other  securities as may be applicable  pursuant to the
provisions of Section 10.

       Company:  Illinois  Tool  Works  Inc.,  a Delaware  corporation,  and any
successor thereto.

       Corporate  Change:  Any of the  following:  (i)  the  dissolution  of the
Company; (ii) the merger,  consolidation,  or reorganization of the Company with
any other  corporation after which the holders of Common Stock immediately prior
to the effective date thereof hold less than 70% of the outstanding common stock
of the surviving or resulting entity; (iii) the sale of all or substantially all
of the assets of the Company to any person or entity  other than a wholly  owned
subsidiary;  (iv) any person or group of persons  acting in concert,  other than
descendants of Byron L. Smith and trusts for the benefit of such descendants, or
entity becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 30% of
the outstanding Common Stock; or (v) the individuals who, as of the close of the
most recent  annual  meeting of the Company's  stockholders,  are members of the
Board (the "Existing  Directors")  cease for any reason to constitute  more than
50% of the Board;  provided,  however,  that if the election,  or nomination for
election,  by the Company's  stockholders  of any new director was approved by a
vote of at least  50% of the  Existing  Directors,  such new  director  shall be
considered an Existing Director;  provided further,  however, that no individual
shall be considered an Existing  Director if such individual  initially  assumed
office as a result of either an  actual or  threatened  "Election  Contest"  (as
described  in Rule 14a-11  under the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934) or other
actual or  threatened  solicitation  of proxies by or on behalf of anyone  other
than the  Board (a  "Proxy  









<PAGE>   4


Contest"),  including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any
Election Contest or Proxy Contest.

       Covered Employee: A Key Employee who is or is expected to be a "covered
employee" within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and the related regulations
for the year in which an Incentive is taxable to such employee and for whom the
Committee intends that such Incentive qualify as performance-based compensation
under Code Section 162(m).

       Disability: Eligible for Social Security disability benefits or
disability benefits under the Company's long-term disability plan, based upon a
determination by the Committee that the condition arose prior to termination of
employment.

       Fair Market Value: The average of the highest and lowest price at which
Common Stock was traded on the relevant date, as reported in the "NYSE-Composite
Transactions" section of the Midwest Edition of The Wall Street Journal, or, if
no sales of Common Stock were reported for that date, on the most recent
preceding date on which Common Stock was traded.

       Incentive Stock Option:  As defined in Code Section 422.

       Incentives:  Options (including Incentive Stock Options), Stock Awards,
Performance Units and Stock Appreciation Rights.

       Key  Employee:  An employee of the Company approved by the Committee for
participation in the Plan on the basis of his or her ability to contribute
significantly to the growth and profitability of the Company.

       Option:  An option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted to a Key
Employee pursuant to Section 5.

       Performance Unit: A unit representing a cash sum or one or more shares of
Common Stock that is granted to a Key Employee pursuant to Section 7.

       Plan: The Illinois Tool Works Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended
from time to time.

       Restricted Shares:  Shares of Common Stock issued subject to restrictions
pursuant to Section 6(b).

       Retirement:  Termination of employment while eligible for retirement as
defined by the Company's tax-qualified defined benefit retirement plan.

       Stock  Appreciation Right or Right:  An award granted to a Key Employee
pursuant to Section 8.




                                      -2-

<PAGE>   5


       Stock Award: An award of Common Stock granted to a Key Employee  pursuant
to Section 6.

       Stock Ownership Guidelines: The stock ownership guidelines adopted by the
Board, as amended from time to time.


SECTION 3.     ADMINISTRATION

       (a)     Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. To 
the extent required to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934, each member of the Committee shall qualify as a "non-employee 
director" as defined therein. To the extent required to comply with Code 
Section 162(m) and the related regulations, each member of the Committee shall
qualify as an "outside director" as defined therein.

       (b)    Authority of the Committee. The Committee shall have the authority
to approve Key Employees for participation; to construe and interpret the Plan;
to establish, amend or waive rules and regulations for its administration; and
to accelerate the exercisability of any Incentive or the termination of any
restriction under any Incentive. Incentives may be subject to such provisions as
the Committee shall deem advisable, and may be amended by the Committee from
time to time; provided that no such amendment may adversely affect the rights of
the holder of an Incentive without such holder's consent, and no amendment, as
it applies to any Covered Employee, shall be made that would cause an Incentive
granted to such Covered Employee to fail to satisfy the performance-based
compensation exemption under Code Section 162(m) and the related regulations.

SECTION 4.    COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN

        Subject to Section 10, the aggregate shares of Common Stock that may be
issued under the Plan, including Common Stock authorized but not issued or
reserved for issuance under the 1979 Plan, shall not exceed 10,000,000. In the
event of a lapse, expiration, termination, forfeiture or cancellation of any
Incentive granted under the Plan or the 1979 Plan without the issuance of shares
or payment of cash, the Common Stock subject to or reserved for such Incentive
may be used again for a new Incentive hereunder; provided that in no event may
the number of shares of Common Stock issued hereunder exceed the total number of
shares reserved for issuance. Any shares of Common Stock withheld or surrendered
to pay withholding taxes pursuant to Section 13(e) or withheld or surrendered in
full or partial payment of the exercise price of an Option pursuant to Section
5(e) shall be added to the aggregate shares of Common Stock available for
issuance.

SECTION 5.    OPTIONS

       (a)    Price. The exercise price per share of an Option shall be not less
than the Fair Market Value on the grant date.






                                      -3-
   
<PAGE>   6

       (b)    Limitations. The exercise price of Incentive Stock Options
exercisable for the first time by a Key Employee during any calendar year shall
not exceed $100,000. Options for more than 500,000 shares of Common Stock may
not be granted in any calendar year to any Key Employee. No Incentive Stock
Options may be granted after April 30, 2006.

       (c)    Required Period of Employment. The Committee may condition the
exercisability of any Option on the completion of a minimum period of
employment.

       (d)    Duration. Each Option shall expire at such time as the Committee
may determine at the time of grant, provided that Incentive Stock Options must
expire not later than ten years from the grant date.

       (e)    Payment. The exercise price of an Option shall be paid in full at
the time of exercise in cash, through the surrender or withholding of Common
Stock having a value equal to the exercise price, or by a combination of the
foregoing.

       (f)    Grant of Restorative Options. The Committee shall grant to any Key
Employee a restorative Option to purchase additional shares of Common Stock
equal to the number of shares delivered by the Key Employee in payment of the
exercise price of an Option. The terms of a restorative Option shall be
identical to the terms of the exercised Option, except that the exercise price
shall be not less than the Fair Market Value on the grant date of the
restorative Option.

SECTION 6.    STOCK AWARDS

       (a)    Grant of Stock Awards. Stock Awards may be made on terms and
conditions fixed by the Committee. Stock Awards may be in the form of Restricted
Shares authorized pursuant to Section 6(b). Officers who are covered by the
Stock Ownership Guidelines may elect to receive up to 50% of their Executive
Incentive Plan awards in shares of Common Stock. The recipient of Common Stock
pursuant to a Stock Award shall be a stockholder of the Company with respect
thereto, fully entitled to receive dividends, vote and exercise all other rights
of a stockholder except to the extent otherwise provided in the Stock Award.
Stock Awards (including Restricted Share awards) for more than 500,000 shares of
Common Stock may not be granted in any calendar year to any Key Employee.

       (b)    Restricted Shares. Restricted Shares may not be sold by the 
holder, or subject to execution, attachment or similar process, until the lapse
of the applicable restriction period or satisfaction of other conditions
specified by the Committee. If the Committee intends the Restricted Shares
granted to any Covered Employee to satisfy the performance-based compensation
exemption under Code Section 162(m) ("Qualifying Restricted Shares"), the extent
to which the Qualifying Restricted Shares will vest shall be based on the
attainment of performance goals established in writing prior to commencement of
the performance period by the Committee from the list in Section 7(a). The level
of attainment of such performance goals and the corresponding number of vested
Qualifying Restricted Shares shall be certified by the Committee in writing
pursuant to Code Section 162(m) and the related regulations.




                                      -4-

<PAGE>   7

SECTION 7.    PERFORMANCE UNITS

       (a)    Value of Performance Units. Prior to the commencement of the
performance period, the Committee shall establish in writing an initial target
value or number of shares of Common Stock for the Performance Units to be
granted to a Key Employee, the duration of the performance period, and the
specific performance goals to be attained, including performance levels at which
various percentages of Performance Units will be earned and, for Covered
Employees, the minimum level of attainment to be met to earn any portion of the
Performance Units. If the Committee intends the Performance Units granted to any
Covered Employee to satisfy the performance-based compensation exemption under
Code Section 162(m) ("Qualifying Performance Units"), the performance goals
shall be based on one or more of the following objective criteria: generation of
free cash, earnings per share, revenues, market share, stock price, cash flow,
retained earnings, results of customer satisfaction surveys, aggregate product
price and other product price measures, safety record, acquisition activity,
management succession planning, improved asset management, improved gross
margins, increased inventory turns, product development and liability, research
and development integration, proprietary protections, legal effectiveness,
handling SEC or environmental issues, manufacturing efficiencies, system review
and improvement, service reliability and cost management, operating expense
ratios, total stockholder return, return on sales, return on equity, return on
capital, return on assets, return on investment, net income, operating income,
and the attainment of one or more performance goals relative to the performance
of other corporations.

       (b)    Payment of Performance Units. After the end of a performance
period, the Committee shall certify in writing the extent to which performance
goals have been met and shall compute the payout to be received by each Key
Employee. With respect to Qualifying Performance Units, for any calendar year,
the maximum amount payable in cash to any Covered Employee shall be $5,000,000,
and the aggregate shares of Common Stock that may be issued to any Covered
Employee is 500,000. The Committee may not adjust upward the amount payable to
any Covered Employee with respect to Qualifying Performance Units.

SECTION 8.    STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

       (a)    Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights may
be granted in connection with an Option (at the time of the grant or at any time
thereafter) or may be granted independently. Stock Appreciation Rights for more
than 500,000 shares of Common Stock may not be granted to any Key Employee in
any calendar year.

       (b)    Value of Stock Appreciation Rights. The holder of a Stock
Appreciation Right granted in connection with an Option, upon surrender of that
Option, will receive cash or shares of Common Stock equal in value to the lesser
of (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value on the exercise date over the
Option's exercise price or (ii) the exercise price of the Option that is
surrendered, multiplied by the number of shares covered by such Option. The
holder of a Stock Appreciation Right granted independently of an Option, upon
exercise of that Right, will receive cash or shares of Common Stock equal in
value to the lesser of (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value on the exercise
date over the Fair Market Value on the grant date or (ii) the Fair Market 


                                      -5-


<PAGE>   8

Value on the grant date, multiplied by the number of shares covered by such 
Right.

SECTION 9.    TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

       (a)    Forfeiture of Incentives Upon Termination of Employment. Except as
may be determined otherwise by the Committee, all unvested Options, Rights and
Stock Awards and all unpaid Performance Units shall be forfeited upon
termination of employment for reasons other than Retirement, Disability or
death.

       (b)    Vesting Upon Retirement, Disability or Death. Subject to Section
13(g), upon termination of employment by reason of Retirement, Disability or
death, all unvested Options, Rights and Stock Awards shall become fully vested
and any Performance Units shall become payable to the extent provided in Section
9(c)(ii).

       (c)    Treatment of Incentives Following Termination.

              (i)   Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.

              (A)   Termination Due to Retirement, Disability or Death. Upon
                    termination of employment by reason of Retirement or
                    Disability, Options shall be exercisable not later than the
                    earlier of five years after the termination date or the
                    expiration of the term of the Options. Options held by a Key
                    Employee who dies while employed by the Company or after
                    terminating by reason of Retirement or Disability shall be
                    exercisable by the Key Employee's beneficiary not later than
                    the earliest of two years after the date of death, five
                    years after the date of termination due to Retirement or
                    Disability, or the expiration of the term of the Options.

              (B)   Termination for Other Reasons. Upon termination of
                    employment for any reason other than Retirement, Disability
                    or death, all unvested Options shall be forfeited as
                    provided in Section 9(a) and any Options vested prior to
                    such termination may be exercised by a Key Employee during
                    the three-month period commencing on the date of
                    termination, but not later than the expiration of the term
                    of the Options. If a Key Employee dies during such
                    post-employment period, such Key Employee's beneficiary may
                    exercise the Options (to the extent such Options were vested
                    and exercisable at the date of termination of employment),
                    but not later than the earlier of two years after the date
                    of death or the expiration of the term of the Options.

              (C)   Stock Appreciation Rights. Sections 9(c)(i)(A) and (B)
                    shall apply in the same manner to Stock Appreciation Rights.





   
                                       -6-
<PAGE>   9

                  (ii) Performance Units. If a Key Employee terminates
         employment by reason of Retirement, Disability or death, the Key
         Employee or such Key Employee's beneficiary in the event of death shall
         receive a prorated payment of the Key Employee's Performance Units
         based on the number of full months of service completed by the Key
         Employee during the applicable performance period, adjusted based on
         the achievement of performance goals during the performance period.
         Payment shall be made at the time payments would have been made had the
         Key Employee not terminated by reason of Retirement, Disability or
         death.

SECTION 10.   ADJUSTMENT PROVISIONS

         In the event of a stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization,
reclassification or combination of shares, merger, sale of assets or similar
event, the Committee shall adjust equitably (a) the number and class of shares
or other securities that are reserved for issuance under the Plan, (b) the
number and class of shares or other securities that have not been issued under
outstanding Incentives, and (c) the appropriate Fair Market Value and other
price determinations applicable to Incentives.

SECTION 11.   TERM

         The Plan shall be deemed adopted and shall become effective on the date
it is approved by the stockholders of the Company and shall continue until
terminated by the Board or no Common Stock remains available for issuance under
Section 4, whichever occurs first.

SECTION 12.   CORPORATE CHANGE

         In the event of a Corporate Change, all Incentives shall vest in each
Key Employee, and the maximum value of each Key Employee's Performance Units,
prorated for the number of full months of service completed by the Key Employee
during the applicable performance period, shall immediately be paid in cash to
the Key Employee.

SECTION 13.   GENERAL PROVISIONS

       (a)    Employment. Nothing in the Plan or in any related instrument shall
confer upon any employee any right to continue in the employ of the Company or
shall affect the right of the Company to terminate the employment of any
employee with or without cause.

      (b)     Legality of Issuance of Shares. No Common Stock shall be issued
pursuant to an Incentive unless and until all legal requirements applicable to
such issuance have been satisfied.

      (c)     Ownership of Common Stock Allocated to Plan. No employee
(individually or as a member of a group), and no beneficiary or other person
claiming under or through such employee, shall have any right, title or interest
in or to any Common Stock allocated or reserved 


                                      -7-


<PAGE>   10

for purposes of the Plan or subject to any Incentive except as to shares of
Common Stock, if any, as shall have been issued to such employee.

      (d)     Governing Law. The Plan, and all agreements hereunder, shall be
construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Illinois.

      (e)     Withholding of Taxes. The Company may withhold, or allow an
Incentive holder to remit to the Company, any Federal, state or local taxes
applicable to any grant, exercise, vesting, distribution or other event giving
rise to income tax liability with respect to an Incentive. An Incentive holder
may elect to surrender previously acquired Common Stock or to have the Company
withhold Common Stock that would otherwise have been issued pursuant to the
exercise of an Option or in connection with any other Incentive, the number of
shares of such withheld or surrendered Common Stock to be sufficient to satisfy
all or a portion of the income tax liability that arises upon the exercise,
vesting, distribution or other event giving rise to income tax liability with
respect to an Incentive.

      (f)     Non-transferability; Exceptions. Except as provided in this 
Section 13(f), no Incentive may be assigned or subjected to any encumbrance,
pledge or charge of any nature. Under such rules and procedures as the Committee
may establish, the holder of an Incentive may transfer such Incentive to members
of the holder's immediate family (i.e., children, grandchildren and spouse) or
to one or more trusts for the benefit of such family members or to partnerships
in which such family members are the only partners, provided that (i) the
agreement, if any, with respect to such Incentives, expressly so permits or is
amended to so permit, (ii) the holder does not receive any consideration for
such transfer, and (iii) the holder provides such documentation or information
concerning any such transfer or transferee as the Committee may reasonably
request. Any Incentives held by any transferees shall be subject to the same
terms and conditions that applied immediately prior to their transfer. The
Committee may also amend the agreements applicable to any outstanding Incentives
to permit such transfers. Any Incentive not granted pursuant to any agreement
expressly permitting its transfer or amended expressly to permit its transfer
shall not be transferable. Such transfer rights shall in no event apply to any
Incentive Stock Option.

      (g)     Forfeiture of Incentives. Except for an Incentive that becomes
vested pursuant to Section 12, the Committee may immediately forfeit an
Incentive, whether vested or unvested, if the holder competes with the Company
or engages in conduct that, in the opinion of the Committee, adversely affects
the Company.

      (h)     Beneficiary Designation. Under such rules and procedures as the
Committee may establish, each Key Employee may designate a beneficiary or
beneficiaries to succeed to any rights which the Key Employee may have with
respect to Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Stock Awards or Performance Units
at the time of his or her death. The designation may be changed or revoked by
the Key Employee at any time. No such designation, revocation or change shall be
effective unless made in writing on a form provided by the Company and delivered
to the Company prior to the Key Employee's death. If a Key Employee does not






                                      -8-

<PAGE>   11

designate a beneficiary or no designated beneficiary survives the Key Employee,
then his or her beneficiary shall be the Key Employee's estate.

SECTION 14.   AMENDMENT OR DISCONTINUANCE OF THE PLAN

       (a)    Amendment or Discontinuance. The Plan may be amended or
discontinued by the Board from time to time, provided that without the approval
of stockholders, no amendment shall be made which (i) amends Section 4 to
increase the aggregate Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Incentives,
(ii) amends the provisions of Section 12, (iii) permits any person who is not a
Key Employee to be granted an Incentive, (iv) permits Common Stock to be valued
at, or permits the exercise price of Options at the grant date, to be less than
Fair Market Value, (v) amends the provisions of Section 8 to change the method
of establishing the amount the Company shall distribute upon exercise of a Stock
Appreciation Right, (vi) amends the provisions of Section 7(b) to increase the
value which may be specified for Performance Units or amends any other provision
of the Plan, the amendment of which would require stockholder approval in order
to continue to satisfy the performance-based compensation exemption under Code
Section 162(m) and the related regulations with respect to any Incentive awarded
to any Covered Employee, (vii) changes the maximum number of shares of Common
Stock that may be awarded to any employee in any year pursuant to Options, Stock
Awards or Stock Appreciation Rights, or (viii) amends this Section 14.

       (b)    Effect of Amendment or Discontinuance on Incentives. No amendment
or discontinuance of the Plan by the Board or the stockholders of the Company
shall adversely affect any Incentive theretofore granted without the consent of
the holder.












                                      -9-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                 EXHIBIT 10(g) 

 
                            Directors' Compensation
 
     Compensation for directors has three components, the first being paid in
cash and the remaining two being tied to the Company's Common Stock.
 
     Each non-employee director receives a $25,000 annual retainer, together
with a fee of $1,000 for each Board of Directors' meeting and committee meeting
attended. (Committee Chairmen receive an additional $600 for each meeting
chaired.) The Company's deferred fee plan permits directors to defer receipt of
all or any part of their fees until they cease to be directors. Amounts deferred
are credited with interest at current rates.
 
     Since 1992 the directors' compensation plan has linked a portion of
compensation directly with the interests of the stockholders through periodic
awards of restricted Common Stock. In January 1998 each non-officer director
received an award of 900 restricted shares, which vest in one-third increments
on the first three anniversaries of the award and fully vest upon death or
retirement. Under the program, each non-officer director who joins the Board
after January 2, 1998 will receive on the first business day of January
following election a grant of 300 shares for each full year of service remaining
until January 2001. Shares granted to directors pursuant to this program are
included in the table under "Security Ownership."
 
     The Company also has adopted a phantom stock plan under which each
non-officer director is granted 1,000 units of phantom stock upon becoming a
director. Each unit is equal in value to the market value of one share of the
Company's Common Stock. The phantom stock account is credited with additional
units in an amount equivalent to dividends on the Company's Common Stock and is
adjusted for any stock dividends, stock splits, combinations or similar
changes. A director is eligible for a cash distribution from his or her phantom
stock account at retirement or upon approved resignation in the form of a lump
sum or ten annual installments as elected by the director at the time of grant.
In addition, the value of each director's phantom stock account will be
distributed immediately to the director in the event of a corporate change of   
control.
 
     Harold B. Smith has a one-year agreement with the Company providing for a
consulting fee of $85,000.
 

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10(h)



   
                            ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

                     OUTSIDE DIRECTORS' DEFERRED FEE PLAN


        The Plan set forth herein shall be known as the "Outside Directors'
Deferred Fee Plan."  Illinois Tool Works Inc. is hereinafter referred to as
"ITW."

        1.  ELIGIBILITY.  Each member of ITW's Board of Directors who (a) is or
becomes entitled to receive directors' and attendance fees (both for attendance
at meetings of the Board of Directors and of its committees) from ITW, and (b)
is not an employee of ITW, shall be eligible to participate in the Plan and
shall be known for the purposes of this Plan as an "eligible director."

        2.  PURPOSE.  The purpose of the Plan is to enable ITW to attract and
retain as members of its Board of Directors persons who are not employees of
ITW, but whose experience and judgment are a valuable asset to ITW.

        3.  ELECTION.  Each eligible director may elect to defer payment to him
as hereinafter provided of part or all of the directors' and attendance fees
earned while he is a director of ITW.  This election may be exercised only by
the eligible director and shall be accomplished by his filing a written notice
of election with the Secretary of ITW not later than the exercise date.  For
directors holding office as such in December 1980, the initial exercise date is
December 26, 1980.  Thereafter, the exercise date is five (5) days prior to the
date on which the director's term of office commences.  Such election shall be
effective and irrevocable with respect to directors' and attendance fees earned
by such director between December 31, 1980 and the 




                                     -1-
<PAGE>   2
next annual stockholders meeting or during his term of office next following
the date of the notice of election filed by such director.  The election may
also be made effective (by so specifying in the notice of election) with
respect to any subsequent term or terms of office of such director; provided,
however, that the election with respect to any subsequent term or terms of
office may be changed or revoked by filing a new notice of election not later
than five (5) business days prior to the date on which such subsequent term of
office commences.  For purposes of this Plan, the term of office of an eligible
director shall commence on the date of his election or reelection and end at
the next following annual meeting of ITW's stockholders.

        4.  DEFERRED FEES.  All deferred directors' and attendance fees shall
be credited to a deferred fees account maintained on the books at ITW for the
electing director at the time such fees would otherwise have been payable to
such director.  Such deferred fees account shall bear interest from the date
amounts are credited thereto to the date of payment at the rate equivalent to
the rate on the most recently issued 90 day Treasury Bills at the beginning of
each calendar quarter.

        5.  PAYMENT OF DEFERRED FEES.  Any cash balance in an electing
directors' deferred fee account shall be paid to such director after he ceases
to be a director either promptly in a lump sum or in such installments and over
such a period of time as the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
may determine.

        6.  EFFECT OF DEATH.  If an eligible director, who has made an election
under this Plan, dies before payment 




                                     -2-
<PAGE>   3
in full to him of the balance, if any, in such director's deferred fee account,
such director's election shall remain in effect and such balance shall be paid
to the person or persons specified as provided in paragraph 7 hereof.  Such
balance shall be paid after such director's death either in a lump sum or in
such installments and over such a period of time as the Compensation Committee
of the Board of Directors may determine.

        7.  BENEFICIARY.  Each director or former director entitled to payment
of deferred fees may name any person (named contingently or successively) to
whom the cash balance in such director's deferred fee account shall be paid, in
the event of such director's death.  Each designation will revoke all prior
designations by such director or former director, shall be in writing and in
form prescribed by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and
will be effective only when filed during his lifetime by the director or former
director with the Secretary of ITW.  If the director or former director shall
have failed to name a beneficiary as herein provided, or if the named
beneficiary dies before receiving payment of the entitled cash balance in such
director's deferred fee account, the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors may in its discretion make payment directly to the spouse or any one
or more or all of the next of kin of the director or former director or to the
legal representative of the estate of the director or former director.

        8.  MISCELLANEOUS.  (a) Establishment of this Plan and coverage
thereunder of any person shall not be construed to confer any right on the part
of such person to be nominated for reelection to the Board of Directors of ITW
or to be 





                                     -3-
<PAGE>   4
reelected to such Board of Directors.  (b) Payment of deferred fees hereunder
will be made only to the person entitled thereto in accordance with the terms
of this Plan.  Deferred fees are not in any way subject to the debts or other
obligations of the persons entitled thereto and may not be voluntarily or
involuntarily sold, transferred to assigned.  When a person entitled to payment
under the Plan is under legal disability or in opinion of the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors is in any way incapacitated so as to be
unable to manage his own affairs, the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors may direct that payment be made to such person's legal
representative, or to such person's spouse, a relative or friend of such person
for his benefit.  Any payment made in accordance with the preceding sentence
shall be in complete discharge of ITW's obligation to make payment under the
Plan.

        9.  AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION.  This Plan may be amended or terminated
at any time by the Board of Directors of ITW.

        10. EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Plan shall become effective on the date of
its adoption by the Board of Directors of ITW.





ADOPTED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ON DECEMBER 12, 1980.





                                     -4-

<PAGE>   1
Management's Discussion and Analysis

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTRODUCTION

Illinois Tool Works Inc. is a multinational manufacturer of highly engineered
components and industrial systems with three business segments: Engineered
Components, Industrial Systems and Consumables, and Leasing and Investments.
These segments are described below. Overall, the Company believes that the
majority of the increase in operating revenues is due to higher sales volume
rather than increased sales prices.

ENGINEERED COMPONENTS SEGMENT

Businesses in this segment manufacture short lead-time components and fasteners
primarily for automotive, construction and general industrial applications. They
also manufacture specialty products such as adhesives and static-control
equipment.

Operating Revenues

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dollars in millions                      1997            1996            1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>             <C>             <C>      
Domestic                               $   1,404       $   1,315       $   1,034
International                                816             821             720
                                       ---------       ---------       ---------
Total                                  $   2,220       $   2,136       $   1,754
                                       =========       =========       =========
</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Operating Income                   1997                1996              1995
                       ----------------    ----------------   ----------------
Dollars in millions    Income    Margin    Income    Margin   Income   Margin
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>     <C>       <C>  
Domestic               $  288     20.5%    $  257     19.5%   $  194    18.8%
International             129     15.8        104     12.7        94    13.1
                       ------              ------             ------
Total                  $  417     18.8     $  361     16.9    $  288    16.4
                       ======              ======             ======        
</TABLE>

Domestic

Domestic revenues and operating income increased in 1997 over 1996 due primarily
to acquisitions, sound growth in the automotive businesses, and successful
strategic marketing in the static control and adhesives businesses. The sale of
a fastener distribution business in the first quarter of 1997 moderated revenue
growth. Revenue growth also was reduced by a parts-reduction program in the
automotive and industrial components operations, implemented after extensive
analysis of those operations. New products and increased market penetration in
the static control, adhesives and automotive businesses, along with the
parts-reduction program, caused margin growth. Operating income in the
construction businesses were flat as a result of costs to expand capacity, which
tempered margin growth.

     Acquisitions (primarily Medalist Industries) largely contributed to the
increase in domestic revenues in 1996 versus 1995. New products from the
automotive and industrial components businesses, supported by healthy U.S. car
and appliance markets, also contributed to revenue, operating income and margin
growth. The construction businesses contributed to the improved financial
results through increased market share in residential and commercial
construction markets, and increased penetration in the hardware and home center
distribution channels.

International

International revenues grew in 1997 over 1996 due to increased market
penetration by the European automotive businesses supported by a 4 percent
increase in European car builds. The increase in revenues was more than offset,
however, by the negative effect of European currencies against the U.S. dollar,
which grew stronger throughout the year. Construction revenues were flat due to
product line simplification, a focus on fewer customers and soft Australian and
European construction markets. A more profitable product mix and lower overall
cost structure in the construction businesses, however, combined with increased
revenues in the international automotive operations, resulted in strong
operating income and margin increases. Foreign currency fluctuations in 1997
versus 1996 decreased revenues by $62 million and operating income by $10
million. European operations represent 81 percent of the segment's international
revenues.

     Most of the Company's international revenue and operating income growth in
1996 versus 1995 was due to acquisitions, primarily for the European automotive
and industrial components businesses. This growth was moderated, however, by a
decline in revenues and operating income in the construction businesses due to a
weak European construction market. Margins were down internationally due to the
decline in revenues for construction operations, lower prices and unit volume in
the French automotive market and a weak European appliance market. Foreign
currency fluctuations in 1996 versus 1995 had minimal effect on revenue and
earnings.

INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS AND CONSUMABLES SEGMENT

Businesses in this segment produce longer lead-time machinery and related
consumables primarily for food and beverage, construction, automotive and
general industrial markets. They also manufacture specialty products for
applications such as industrial spray coating and quality measurement.

Operating Revenues

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dollars in millions                             1997          1996          1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>           <C>           <C>   
Domestic                                      $1,852        $1,803        $1,539
International                                  1,047           990           859
                                              ------        ------        ------
Total                                         $2,899        $2,793        $2,398
                                              ======        ======        ======
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Operating Income                   1997                1996              1995
                       ----------------    ----------------   ----------------
Dollars in millions    Income    Margin    Income    Margin   Income   Margin
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>  
Domestic                $333      18.0%     $300      16.6%    $255      16.6%
International            138      13.2       115      11.6       84       9.8
                        ----                ----               ----
Total                   $471      16.2      $415      14.9     $339      14.1
                        ====                ====               ====      
</TABLE>





                                      18
<PAGE>   2

                                                        Illinois Tool Works Inc.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Domestic

Acquisitions and new products in the decorating businesses, along with new
product introductions in the resealable packaging and welding businesses, led to
the growth in revenue and operating income domestically in 1997. The finishing
systems businesses, as a result of new products and focused selling units, also
contributed to this segment's improved performance. Tempering revenue growth was
a decline in revenues in the quality measurement businesses due to reduced
demand for their capital goods machinery from the automotive and tire markets.
In addition a shift in product mix by the Signode operations from steel to
plastic strapping systems,which sell for a lower unit price and higher margins,
also moderated revenue growth. Reduced manufacturing costs at Signode and the
welding operations, increased revenues from the finishing systems businesses and
growth in the decorating businesses contributed to operating income and margin
increases. Margin growth was partially offset by increased operating costs and
lower pricing in stretch film operations and the lower revenues in the quality
measurement businesses.

     The majority of the revenue growth in 1996 compared with 1995 was due to
the Hobart acquisition. The finishing systems and stretch film operations also
contributed to the revenue growth as a result of an increase in new customers
and steady demand from general industrial markets, respectively. Operating
income grew as a result of shorter lead-times for equipment and improved
manufacturing efficiencies at Signode, stretch film and quality measurement
operations along with contributions from the Hobart acquisition. Margins
increased due to cost reductions and lower raw material costs in most of the
operations but lower margins at the newly acquired Hobart operations offset the
increase.

International

International revenues grew in 1997, due primarily to the acquisition of Mobil
Chemical, which manufactures stretch film, and acquisitions in the Signode
businesses. Stretch film operations, along with growth in the European
decorating and Hi-Cone businesses, also contributed to the increase in revenues.
Currency translation and the sale of the European palletizing operations in the
first quarter of 1997 partially offset the revenue growth. The sale of the
underperforming palletizing business did, however, contribute to increased
margins. Operating income and margins also improved as a result of cost
reductions in Signode operations and new product introductions in the finishing
systems businesses. European operations represent 65 percent of this segment's
international revenues. Foreign currency translation reduced revenues by $80
million and operating income by $13 million in 1997 versus 1996.

     In 1996, international revenues increased from 1995 due to acquisitions,
primarily in the Signode and stretch film operations. Soft European
construction, steel and general industrial markets resulted in lower demand for
Signode products, which moderated revenue growth. Increased demand and new
customers fueled revenue increases in the specialty packaging and finishing
systems businesses, respectively, despite weak European packaging and industrial
markets. Operating income increased in 1996 due primarily to acquisitions and
lower nonrecurring costs of $10 million. The lower nonrecurring costs also
caused margins to increase in 1996. Foreign currency translation reduced
revenues by $23 million and operating income by $2 million in 1996 versus 1995.

LEASING AND INVESTMENT SEGMENT

This segment makes opportunistic investments that optimally utilize the
Company's cash flow. These investments primarily include mortgage-related
investments, leveraged and direct financing leases of equipment, investments in
properties and property developments, and affordable housing investments.


Operating Revenues

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In millions                1997          1996          1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>            <C>           <C>
Domestic                   $101           $68           $26
</TABLE>

Operating Income

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In millions                1997          1996          1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>           <C>           <C>
Domestic                    $39           $25           $19
</TABLE>

Revenues and operating income increased in 1997 primarily due to the commercial
mortgage transaction entered into at year-end 1996 and a nonrecurring gain on
the sale of equipment under leveraged lease of $3.0 million. Revenues and
operating income increased in 1996 versus 1995 primarily due to the commercial
mortgage transaction entered into at year-end 1995. Operating income in 1995
also included a nonrecurring gain on the sale of equipment under leveraged lease
of $4.1 million.

     In December 1997, the Company acquired a pool of mortgage-related assets in
exchange for a nonrecourse note payable of $217.4 million, preferred stock of a
subsidiary of $20 million and cash of $80 million. In December 1996, the Company
acquired a pool of mortgage-related assets in exchange for a nonrecourse note
payable of $266.3 million, preferred stock of a subsidiary of $20 million and
cash of $80 million. In December 1995, the Company acquired a pool of
mortgage-related assets in exchange for a nonrecourse note payable of $256
million, preferred stock of a subsidiary of $20 million and cash of $80 million.
The mortgage-related assets for the three transactions are located throughout
the U.S. and include 38 subperforming, variable rate, balloon loans and 13
foreclosed properties at December 31, 1997. In conjunction with these
transactions, the Company simultaneously entered into ten-year swap agreements
and other related agreements whereby the Company will pay a third party the
portion of the interest and net operating cash flow from the mortgage-related
assets in excess of $26 million per year and a portion of the proceeds from the
disposition of the mortgage-related assets and principal repayments, in


                                      19
<PAGE>   3

Management's Discussion and Analysis

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

exchange for the third party making payments to the Company equal to the
contractual principal and interest payments on the nonrecourse notes payable. In
addition, in the event that the pools of mortgage-related assets do not generate
income of $26 million a year, the Company has a collateral right against the
cash flow generated by three separate pools of mortgage-related assets (owned by
third parties in which the Company has minimal interests) which have a total
fair value of approximately $3.1 billion at December 31, 1997. The Company
entered into the swaps and other related agreements in order to reduce its
credit and interest rate risks relative to the mortgage-related assets.

     The Company expects to recover its net investment in the mortgage-related
assets and net swap receivables of $297.9 million at December 31, 1997 (net of
the related nonrecourse notes payable) through its expected net cash flow of $26
million per year for the remainder of the ten-year periods and its estimated
share of $416.5 million of the proceeds from disposition of the mortgage-related
assets and principal repayments. The Company believes that because the swaps'
counterparty is Aaa-rated and that significant collateral secures the net annual
cash flow of $26 million, its risk of not recovering that portion of its net
investment has been significantly mitigated. The Company currently believes that
its share of the disposition proceeds will be sufficient to recover the
remainder of its net investment. However, there can be no assurances that all of
the net investment will be recovered.

     The net assets attributed to the Leasing and Investments Segment at 
December 31, 1997 and 1996 are summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                           1997              1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>               <C>       
Assets:
  Investments--
     Mortgage-related assets                        $1,017,984        $  731,577
     Leases                                             79,875            83,432
     Properties and affordable housing                  57,549            50,462
     Other                                              14,607             7,221
  Deferred tax assets                                  360,262           281,307
  Other assets                                           4,519             3,205
                                                    ----------        ----------
                                                    $1,534,796         1,157,204
                                                    ----------        ----------
Liabilities:
  Debt--
     Nonrecourse notes payable                         720,125           519,890
     Allocated general corporate debt                  302,332           248,421
  Deferred investment income                           327,508           269,595
  Preferred stock of subsidiaries                       60,000            40,000
  Other liabilities                                     16,720            16,464
                                                    ----------        ----------
                                                     1,426,685         1,094,370
                                                    ----------        ----------
Net assets                                          $  108,111        $   62,834
                                                    ==========        ==========
</TABLE>

COST OF REVENUES

Cost of Revenues as a percentage of revenues was 64.7% in 1997 compared with
65.7% in 1996 and 65.2% in 1995. The decrease in 1997 versus 1996 was mainly due
to increased sales volume coupled with lower manufacturing costs, while the
increase in 1996 versus 1995 was mainly due to lower gross margins related to
acquired companies.

SELLING, ADMINISTRATIVE AND R&D EXPENSES

Selling, administrative, and research and development expenses were 16.7% of
revenues in 1997 versus 17.5% in 1996 and 18.6% in 1995. This ratio continues to
decline because of increasing revenues and expense reductions as a result of a
Company-wide objective to reduce administrative costs.

INTEREST EXPENSE

Interest expense decreased to $19.4 million in 1997 versus $27.8 million in
1996, primarily due to decreased commercial paper borrowings and higher interest
expense in 1996 due to debt assumed from acquisitions. Interest expense
decreased in 1996 versus $30 million in 1995 as a result of lower interest rates
related to commercial paper and foreign borrowings. Interest costs of $49.3
million in 1997, $24.8 million in 1996 and $1.6 million in 1995 attributed to
the Leasing and Investments Segment have been classified in the segment's cost
of revenues.

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

Other income increased to $16.5 million in 1997 versus expense of $2.4 million
in 1996, primarily due to higher gains on the sale of operations, foreign
currency translation gains, and debt prepayment costs in 1996, partially offset
by higher losses on sale of fixed assets in 1997. Other income (expense) was net
other expense of $2.4 million in 1996 versus net other income of $7.7 million in
1995, primarily due to 1996 debt prepayment costs of $2.7 million related to
debt assumed from acquired companies and foreign currency translation losses of
$3.2 million in 1996 versus translation gains of $2.4 million in 1995.

INCOME TAXES

The effective tax rate was 36.5% in 1997, 36.9% in 1996 and 37.9% in 1995. See
the Income Taxes note for a reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory rate to
the effective tax rate. The Company has not recorded a valuation allowance on
the net deferred income tax assets of $548.4 million at December 31, 1997 and
$423.6 million at December 31, 1996 as it expects to continue to generate
significant taxable income in future years.


                                      20
<PAGE>   4
                                                        Illinois Tool Works Inc.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NET INCOME

Net income in 1997 of $587.0 million ($2.35 per basic share and $2.33 per
diluted share) was 20.7% higher than 1996 net income of $486.3 million ($1.96
per basic share and $1.95 per diluted share). Net income in 1996 was 25.5%
higher than the 1995 net income of $387.6 million ($1.64 per basic share and
$1.63 per diluted share). In 1997, the stockholders approved a two-for-one
common stock split. All per share data in this report is calculated on a
post-split basis.

FOREIGN CURRENCY

The strengthening of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies in 1997 resulted
in decreased operating revenues of $142 million and decreased net income of
approximately 4 cents per basic share. Foreign currency fluctuations had minimal
impact on revenues or earnings in 1996. The weakening of the U.S. dollar against
foreign currencies in 1995 (primarily European currencies) resulted in increased
operating revenues of $116 million and increased net income per basic share of
approximately 5 cents per share.

     As the Company and its subsidiaries do not have significant assets or
liabilities denominated in currencies other than their functional currencies, no
material transactions to hedge foreign currency exposures occurred in 1997, 1996
or 1995.

FINANCIAL POSITION

Net working capital at December 31, 1997 and 1996 is summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Increase
Dollars in thousands                     1997              1996          (Decrease)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>               <C>                <C>        
Current Assets:
  Cash and equivalents            $   185,856       $   137,699        $    48,157
  Trade receivables                   902,022           840,092             61,930
  Inventories                         522,996           526,016             (3,020)
  Other                               247,768           197,285             50,483
                                  -----------       -----------        -----------
                                    1,858,642         1,701,092            157,550
                                  -----------       -----------        -----------
Current Liabilities:
  Short-term debt                     298,278           390,425            (92,147)
  Accounts payable and
  accrued expenses                    727,469           760,989            (33,520)
  Other                               132,133            67,911             64,222
                                  -----------       -----------        -----------
                                    1,157,880         1,219,325            (61,445)
                                  -----------       -----------        -----------
Net Working Capital               $   700,762       $   481,767        $   218,995
                                  ===========       ===========        ===========

Current Ratio                            1.61              1.40
                                  ===========       ===========
</TABLE>

The increase in trade receivables at December 31, 1997 was primarily due to 1997
acquisitions.

     Short-term debt decreased at December 31, 1997, due to the repayment of
commercial paper and a portion of the 1996 Azon acquisition debt, partially
offset by higher current maturities of long-term debt.

     Long-term debt at December 31, 1997 consisted of $125 million of 7.5%
notes, $125 million of 5.875% notes, a $237 million nonrecourse 6.59% note, a
$266 million 7.00% nonrecourse note, a $217 million nonrecourse 6.44% note and
$36 million of capitalized lease obligations and other debt. Long-term debt
increased $35 million from December 31, 1996, principally as a result of the
issuance of the 6.44% note, partially offset by reclassifications to current
maturities. Excluding the effect of the Leasing and Investments Segment, the
percentage of total debt to total capitalization decreased to 4.6% at December
31, 1997 from 15.9% at December 31, 1996.

     Stockholders' equity was $2.8 billion at December 31, 1997 compared with
$2.4 billion at December 31, 1996. Affecting equity were earnings of $587
million, dividends declared of $113 million, the effect of pooling of interests
acquisitions of $14 million and unfavorable currency translation adjustments of
$93 million.

     The Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996
is summarized below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                             1997              1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>               <C>      
Net income                                          $ 586,951         $ 486,315
Depreciation and
  amortization                                        185,386           178,233
Acquisitions                                         (221,954)         (343,595)
Additions to plant and
  equipment                                          (178,702)         (168,657)
Cash dividends paid                                  (107,053)          (85,481)
Net proceeds (repayments)
  of debt                                            (241,880)          (14,833)
Purchase of investments                               (89,729)         (104,159)
Other, net                                            115,138            73,276
                                                    ---------         ---------
Net increase in cash and
  equivalents                                       $  48,157         $  21,099
                                                    =========         =========
</TABLE>

Net cash provided by operating activities of $660 million in 1997 and $629
million in 1996 was primarily used for acquisitions, for additions to plant and
equipment, for cash dividends, to repay long-term debt assumed from acquisitions
and to make investments.

     Dividends paid per share increased 23% to $.43 per share in 1997 from $.35
per share in 1996. The Company expects to continue to meet its dividend payout
objective of 25-30% of the average of the last three years' net income.

     Management continues to believe that internally generated funds will be
adequate to service existing debt and maintain appropriate debt to total
capitalization and earnings to fixed charge ratios. Internally generated funds
are also expected to be adequate to finance internal growth, small-to-medium
sized acquisitions and additional investments. The Company has additional debt
capacity to fund larger acquisitions.

     The Company had no material commitments for capital expenditures at
December 31, 1997 or 1996.




                                      21
<PAGE>   5
Management's Discussion and Analysis

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk

The Company's exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates
primarily to the Company's long-term debt obligations and certain
mortgage-related investments.

     The Company has no cash flow exposure on its long-term obligations related
to changes in market interest rates. The Company primarily enters into long-term
debt obligations for general corporate purposes, including the funding of
capital expenditures and larger acquisitions. The Company has not entered into
any material derivative financial instruments to hedge interest rate risk on
these general corporate borrowings.

     The Company has also issued nonrecourse notes in connection with the three
commercial mortgage transactions. The holders of these notes only have recourse
against certain mortgage-related assets.

     The mortgage-related assets acquired in the commercial mortgage
transactions include 38 subperforming, variable rate, balloon loans at December
31, 1997. The fair value of these commercial mortgage loans fluctuates as market
interest rates change. The Company has entered into swap and other related
agreements to reduce its credit and interest rate risks relative to the
commercial mortgage loans and other mortgage-related assets.

     The table below presents the Company's financial instruments for which fair
value is subject to changing market interest rates:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                             AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               ESTIMATED CASH INFLOW (OUTFLOW) BY YEAR OF PRINCIPAL MATURITY
                                     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   2003 AND    ESTIMATED   CARRYING
In thousands                            1998         1999        2000         2001        2002    THEREAFTER   FAIR VALUE   VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>      
General Corporate Debt:
  7.5% notes due December 1, 1998    $(125,000)         --           --          --          --           --    (126,484)  (125,000)
  5.875% notes due March 1, 2000     $      --          --     (125,000)         --          --           --    (124,707)  (125,000)

Mortgage-related Investments and
  Related Nonrecourse Debt:
  Commercial mortgage loans          $  30,214      80,387          461          55         658      497,347     600,304    573,717
  Net swap receivables               $  52,031      51,269     (108,643)     73,478      46,628      228,892     258,857    258,857
  6.59% nonrecourse note             $ (19,000)    (16,000)     (16,000)    (16,000)    (16,000)    (153,500)   (246,963)  (236,500)
  7.00% nonrecourse note             $  (2,663)     (9,319)      (9,319)    (31,286)    (13,979)    (199,619)   (278,700)  (266,185)
  6.44% nonrecourse note             $      --          --           --          --      (1,087)    (216,353)   (217,440)  (217,440)
</TABLE>

Foreign Currency Risk

The Company operates in the United States and 33 other countries. In general,
the Company manufactures products that are sold in its significant foreign
markets in the particular local country. The initial funding for these foreign
manufacturing operations is provided primarily through the permanent investment
of capital from the U.S. parent company. As such, the Company does not have any
significant derivatives or other financial instruments which are subject to
foreign currency risk at December 31, 1997.

YEAR 2000 ISSUE

The Company utilizes software and related technologies throughout its businesses
that will be affected by the date change in the year 2000. In 1997, the Company
began an extensive internal study of the computer systems at all of its business
units to determine the extent of the systems that are not year 2000 compliant.
Testing of existing systems and remediation activities have begun and are
expected to be completed for critical systems by the end of 1998. It is
anticipated that the remaining system issues will be resolved in 1999. Based on
preliminary estimates, the cost of the Company's year 2000 compliance program is
not expected to be material to its business, results of operation or financial
condition.



                                      22
<PAGE>   6
Financial Statements                                   Illinois Tool Works Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF INCOME

Illinois Tool Works Inc. and Subsidiaries

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                                    -------------------------------------------
In thousands except for per share amounts                               1997            1996            1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                 <C>             <C>             <C>        
Operating Revenues                                                  $ 5,220,433     $ 4,996,681     $ 4,178,080
  Cost of revenues                                                    3,378,794       3,281,530       2,723,988
  Selling, administrative, and research and development expenses        870,268         875,386         776,112
  Amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets                   36,842          31,873          25,031
  Amortization of retiree health care                                     7,306           7,306           6,968
                                                                    -----------     -----------     -----------
Operating Income                                                        927,223         800,586         645,981
  Interest expense                                                      (19,383)        (27,834)        (29,991)
  Other income (expense)                                                 16,511          (2,437)          7,718
                                                                    -----------     -----------     -----------
Income Before Income Taxes                                              924,351         770,315         623,708
  Income taxes                                                          337,400         284,000         236,100
                                                                    -----------     -----------     -----------
Net Income                                                          $   586,951     $   486,315     $   387,608
                                                                    ===========     ===========     ===========
Net Income Per Share:
  Basic                                                             $      2.35     $      1.96     $      1.64
                                                                    ===========     ===========     ===========
  Diluted                                                           $      2.33     $      1.95     $      1.63
                                                                    ===========     ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF INCOME REINVESTED IN THE BUSINESS

Illinois Tool Works Inc. and Subsidiaries

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In thousands                                        1997            1996            1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>             <C>             <C>        
Balance, Beginning of Year                       $ 2,105,144     $ 1,673,320     $ 1,344,172
  Net income                                         586,951         486,315         387,608
  Cash dividends declared                           (113,467)        (88,920)        (74,789)
  Effect of pooling of interests acquisitions         13,788          34,429          16,329
                                                 -----------     -----------     -----------
Balance, End of Year                             $ 2,592,416     $ 2,105,144     $ 1,673,320
                                                 ===========     ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To the Board of Directors of
Illinois Tool Works Inc.:

     We have audited the accompanying statement of financial position of
Illinois Tool Works Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and Subsidiaries as of
December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related statements of income, income
reinvested in the business and cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1997. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Illinois Tool Works Inc. and
Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.


/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Chicago, Illinois
January 27, 1998

                                      23
<PAGE>   7
Financial Statements

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
Illinois Tool Works Inc. and Subsidiaries

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                DECEMBER 31
                                               -----------------------------
In thousands except shares                        1997            1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>        
ASSETS
Current Assets:
  Cash and equivalents                         $   185,856     $   137,699
  Trade receivables                                902,022         840,092
  Inventories                                      522,996         526,016
  Deferred income taxes                            168,697         131,404
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets         79,071          65,881
                                               -----------     -----------
    Total current assets                         1,858,642       1,701,092
                                               -----------     -----------
Plant and Equipment:
  Land                                              78,055          68,362
  Buildings and improvements                       485,845         429,686
  Machinery and equipment                        1,387,502       1,282,274
  Equipment leased to others                       107,345         109,030
  Construction in progress                          58,644          51,744
                                               -----------     -----------
                                                 2,117,391       1,941,096
  Accumulated depreciation                      (1,233,333)     (1,132,756)
                                               -----------     -----------
    Net plant and equipment                        884,058         808,340
                                               -----------     -----------

Investments                                      1,170,015         872,692
Goodwill                                           774,250         664,054
Deferred Income Taxes                              379,738         292,152
Other Assets                                       328,053         467,832
                                               -----------     -----------
                                               $ 5,394,756     $ 4,806,162
                                               ===========     ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
  Short-term debt                              $   298,278     $   390,425
  Accounts payable                                 269,088         248,062
  Accrued expenses                                 458,381         512,927
  Cash dividends payable                            29,952          23,538
  Income taxes payable                             102,181          44,373
                                               -----------     -----------
    Total current liabilities                    1,157,880       1,219,325
                                               -----------     -----------
Noncurrent Liabilities:
  Long-term debt                                   854,328         818,947
  Other                                            576,094         371,865
                                               -----------     -----------
    Total noncurrent liabilities                 1,430,422       1,190,812
                                               -----------     -----------
Stockholders' Equity:
  Preferred stock                                       --              --
  Common stock:
    Issued--249,865,904 shares in 1997 and
248,040,246 shares in 1996                           2,499         273,864
  Additional paid-in-capital                       287,153              --
  Income reinvested in the business              2,592,416       2,105,144
  Common stock held in treasury                     (1,833)         (1,841)
  Cumulative translation adjustment                (73,781)         18,858
                                               -----------     -----------
    Total stockholders' equity                   2,806,454       2,396,025
                                               -----------     -----------
                                               $ 5,394,756     $ 4,806,162
                                               ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.


                                      24
<PAGE>   8
                                                        Illinois Tool Works Inc.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Illinois Tool Works Inc. and Subsidiaries

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                                -------------------------------------
In thousands                                                       1997          1996          1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>           <C>           <C>      
Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities:
  Net income                                                    $ 586,951     $ 486,315     $ 387,608
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
    provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                                 185,386       178,233       151,931
    Change in deferred income taxes                                (7,819)      (12,627)      (23,870)
    Provision for uncollectible accounts                            6,268         4,451         6,889
    Loss on sale of plant and equipment                             7,683           536         2,539
    Income from investments                                       (93,652)      (53,623)      (20,981)
    Non-cash interest on nonrecourse debt                          35,638        16,413            --
    (Gain) loss on sale of operations and affiliates               (6,824)        2,076          (692)
    Other non-cash items, net                                      (1,206)         (165)       11,735
                                                                ---------     ---------     ---------
      Cash provided by operating activities                       712,425       621,609       515,159
  Change in assets and liabilities:
    (Increase) decrease in--
      Trade receivables                                           (66,001)      (11,461)      (27,869)
      Inventories                                                   6,173        58,935       (22,830)
      Prepaid expenses and other assets                           (46,519)      (30,428)      (11,636)
    Increase (decrease) in--
      Accounts payable                                             20,714       (22,396)      (20,020)
      Accrued expenses                                             (1,968)        5,913         2,061
      Income taxes payable                                         35,836         8,863       (11,764)
    Other, net                                                       (402)       (1,608)       11,451
                                                                ---------     ---------     ---------
        Net cash provided by operating activities                 660,258       629,427       434,552
                                                                ---------     ---------     ---------
Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities:
  Acquisition of businesses (excluding cash and equivalents)
    and additional interest in affiliates                        (221,954)     (343,595)     (212,426)
  Additions to plant and equipment                               (178,702)     (168,657)     (150,176)
  Purchase of investments                                         (89,729)     (104,159)     (126,300)
  Proceeds from investments                                        43,772        50,049        36,926
  Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment                        17,054        20,836        13,500
  Proceeds from sale of operations and affiliates                 168,383        24,660         4,650
  Other, net                                                        6,542          (521)       11,996
                                                                ---------     ---------     ---------
      Net cash used for investing activities                     (254,634)     (521,387)     (421,830)
                                                                ---------     ---------     ---------
Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities:
  Cash dividends paid                                            (107,053)      (85,481)      (71,783)
  Issuance of common stock                                          7,763         5,514         7,598
  Net proceeds (repayments) of short-term debt                   (208,362)       74,362       137,134
  Proceeds from long-term debt                                      3,341         9,776         1,152
  Repayments of long-term debt                                    (36,859)      (98,971)       (2,199)
  Redemption of preferred stock of subsidiary                          --            --       (40,000)
  Other, net                                                        4,700         2,940        (7,919)
                                                                ---------     ---------     ---------
      Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities       (336,470)      (91,860)       23,983
                                                                ---------     ---------     ---------
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Equivalents           (20,997)        4,919         3,028
                                                                ---------     ---------     ---------
Cash and Equivalents:
  Increase during the year                                         48,157        21,099        39,733
  Beginning of year                                               137,699       116,600        76,867
                                                                ---------     ---------     ---------
  End of year                                                   $ 185,856     $ 137,699     $ 116,600
                                                                =========     =========     =========
Cash Paid During the Year for Interest                          $  32,184     $  45,394     $  31,595
                                                                =========     =========     =========
Cash Paid During the Year for Income Taxes                      $ 291,721     $ 262,685     $ 264,683
                                                                =========     =========     =========
Liabilities Assumed from Acquisitions                           $ 132,122     $ 306,677     $ 185,705
                                                                =========     =========     =========
</TABLE>

See the Investments note for information regarding noncash transactions. The
Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

                                      25
<PAGE>   9
Notes to Financial Statements

The Notes to Financial Statements furnish additional information on items in the
financial statements. The notes have been arranged in the same order as the
related items appear in the statements.

     Illinois Tool Works Inc. (the "Company") is a multinational manufacturer of
highly engineered components and industrial systems. The Company primarily
serves the construction, automotive and general industrial markets.

     Significant accounting principles and policies of the Company are
highlighted in italics. Certain reclassifications of prior years' data have been
made to conform with current year reporting.

     The preparation of the Company's financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
the notes to financial statements. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.

Consolidation and Translation--The financial statements include the Company and
its majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions are
eliminated from the financial statements. Substantially all of the Company's
foreign subsidiaries have November 30 fiscal year-ends to facilitate inclusion
of their financial statements in the December 31 financial statements.

     Foreign subsidiaries' assets and liabilities are translated to U.S. dollars
at end-of-period exchange rates. Revenues and expenses are translated at average
rates for the period. Translation adjustments are not included in income but are
reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity.

INDUSTRY SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION--The Company's operations are
divided into three segments: Engineered Components, Industrial Systems and
Consumables, and Leasing and Investments. See Management's Discussion and
Analysis for a description of the segments and information regarding operating
revenues and operating income.

     No single customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated revenues in
1997, 1996 or 1995. Export sales from the United States were less than 10% of
total operating revenues during these years.

     Additional segment and geographic information for 1997, 1996 and 1995 was
as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                         1997           1996           1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>            <C>            <C>       
Identifiable Assets:
Domestic--
  Engineered Components                        $  682,614     $  620,827     $  522,495
  Industrial Systems and Consumables            1,045,525      1,003,062        930,145
  Leasing and Investments                       1,534,796      1,157,204        604,471
                                               ----------     ----------     ----------
                                                3,262,935      2,781,093      2,057,111
                                               ----------     ----------     ----------
International--
  Engineered Components                           608,064        597,145        572,026
  Industrial Systems and Consumables            1,082,185      1,073,502        704,721
                                               ----------     ----------     ----------
                                                1,690,249      1,670,647      1,276,747
                                               ----------     ----------     ----------
Corporate                                         441,572        354,422        257,460
                                               ----------     ----------     ----------
                                               $5,394,756     $4,806,162     $3,591,318
                                               ==========     ==========     ==========
Plant and Equipment Additions:
  Engineered Components                        $   83,848     $   87,431     $   78,922
  Industrial Systems and Consumables               94,854         81,226         71,254
  Leasing and Investments                              --             --             --
                                               ----------     ----------     ----------
                                               $  178,702     $  168,657     $  150,176
                                               ==========     ==========     ==========
Depreciation and Amortization:
  Engineered Components                        $   87,490     $   86,874     $   73,269
  Industrial Systems and Consumables               97,317         90,655         78,160
  Leasing and Investments                             579            704            502
                                               ----------     ----------     ----------
                                               $  185,386     $  178,233     $  151,931
                                               ==========     ==========     ==========
</TABLE>

Identifiable assets by segment and geographic area are those assets that are
specifically used in that segment and geographic area.

     Corporate assets are principally cash and equivalents, investments, and
other general corporate assets.

<PAGE>   10
                                                        Illinois Tool Works Inc.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS--In the fourth quarter of 1996, the Company
acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Azon Limited ("Azon"), an
Australian manufacturer of strapping and other industrial products. The
acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase, and accordingly, the acquired
net assets have been recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of
acquisition. The results of operations have been included in the Statement of
Income from the acquisition date, except for the Azon businesses which were
expected to be sold, which were not consolidated at December 31, 1996. During
1997, the Company disposed of the majority of the Azon businesses which were
expected to be sold.

     Based on the assumption that the Azon acquisition had occurred on January
1, 1996 or January 1, 1995, the Company's pro forma operating revenues, net
income and net income per share would not have been significantly different.

     During 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Company acquired and disposed of numerous
other operations which did not materially affect consolidated results.

Research and Development Expenses are recorded as expense in the year incurred.

     These costs were $52,021,000 in 1997, $55,800,000 in 1996 and $52,700,000
in 1995.

RENTAL EXPENSE was $41,809,000 in 1997, $41,740,000 in 1996 and $36,120,000 in
1995.

Future minimum lease payments for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>     
1998                                                                   $ 28,556
1999                                                                     22,310
2000                                                                     18,260
2001                                                                     13,955
2002                                                                     10,620
2003 and future years                                                    21,826
                                                                       --------
                                                                       $115,527
                                                                       ========
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Income (Expense) consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                                   1997           1996           1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>           <C>             <C>    
Interest income                                             $14,592       $  9,732        $ 8,177
Gain (loss) on sale of operations and affiliates              6,824         (2,076)           692
Loss on sale of plant and equipment                          (7,683)          (536)        (2,539)
Gain (loss) on foreign currency translation                   3,628         (3,198)         2,375
Debt prepayment costs                                            --         (2,721)            --
Other, net                                                     (850)        (3,638)          (987)
                                                            -------       --------        -------
                                                            $16,511       $ (2,437)       $ 7,718
                                                            =======       ========        =======
</TABLE>


                                      27
<PAGE>   11
Notes to Financial Statements

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INCOME TAXES--The Company utilizes the liability method of accounting for income
taxes. Deferred income taxes are determined based on the estimated future tax
effects of differences between the financial and tax bases of assets and
liabilities given the provisions of the enacted tax laws.

The components of the provision for income taxes were as shown below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                             1997            1996            1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>             <C>             <C>      
U.S. federal income taxes:
  Current                             $ 189,876       $ 162,454       $ 156,166
  Deferred                               21,961          (9,526)            306
                                      ---------       ---------       ---------
                                        211,837         152,928         156,472
                                      ---------       ---------       ---------
Foreign income taxes:
  Current                               121,990          80,422          61,864
  Deferred                              (34,420)         16,850          (8,488)
                                      ---------       ---------       ---------
                                         87,570          97,272          53,376
                                      ---------       ---------       ---------
State income taxes:
  Current                                40,238          32,165          27,448
  Deferred                               (2,245)          1,635          (1,196)
                                      ---------       ---------       ---------
                                         37,993          33,800          26,252
                                      ---------       ---------       ---------
                                      $ 337,400       $ 284,000       $ 236,100
                                      =========       =========       =========
</TABLE>

Income before income taxes for domestic and foreign operations was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                         1997              1996              1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>               <C>               <C>     
Domestic                            $728,120          $522,770          $449,508
Foreign                              196,231           247,545           174,200
                                    --------          --------          --------
                                    $924,351          $770,315          $623,708
                                    ========          ========          ========
</TABLE>

The  reconciliation  between the U.S.  federal  statutory  tax
rate and the effective tax rate was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1997        1996        1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                 <C>         <C>         <C>  
U.S federal statutory tax rate                                        35.0%       35.0%       35.0%
State income taxes, net of U.S. federal tax benefit                    2.7         2.9         2.7
Amortization of nondeductible goodwill                                  .9          .9          .8
Differences between U.S. federal statutory and foreign tax rates        .9          .6          .6
Other, net                                                            (3.0)       (2.5)       (1.2)
                                                                    ------      ------      ------
Effective tax rate                                                    36.5%       36.9%       37.9%
                                                                    ======      ======      ======
</TABLE>

Deferred U.S. federal income taxes and foreign withholding taxes have not been
provided on approximately $201,000,000 of undistributed earnings of
international affiliates as of December 31, 1997. In the event these earnings
were distributed to the Company, U.S. federal income taxes payable would be
reduced by foreign tax credits based on income tax laws and circumstances at the
time of distribution. The net tax effect would not be expected to be material.


                                      28
<PAGE>   12



                                                        Illinois Tool Works Inc.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities at December 31,
1997 and 1996 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     1997                         1996
                                                                  -----------------------        ---------------------- 
In thousands                                                         Asset      Liability          Asset     Liability
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>           <C>              <C>          <C>       
Acquisition asset basis differences                               $ 40,689      $ (20,505)       $ 29,625     $ (14,289)
Inventory reserves, capitalized tax cost and LIFO inventory         22,134        (11,894)         24,713       (11,011)
Investments                                                        400,280        (40,018)        324,033       (42,726)
Plant and equipment                                                 10,736        (35,425)          3,940       (46,795)
Accrued expenses and reserves                                       74,173             --          57,784            --
Employee benefit accruals                                           60,694             --          52,529            --
Net operating loss carryforwards                                    41,414             --          51,797            --
Allowances for uncollectible accounts                                4,395             --           5,434            --
Prepaid pension assets                                                  --        (23,027)             --       (19,849)
Other                                                               44,422        (17,975)         28,870       (16,334)
                                                                  --------      ---------        --------     --------- 
Gross deferred income tax assets (liabilities)                     698,937       (148,844)        578,725      (151,004)
Valuation allowances                                               (1,658)             --          (4,165)           --
                                                                  --------      ---------        --------     --------- 
Total deferred income tax assets (liabilities)                    $697,279      $(148,844)       $574,560     $(151,004)
                                                                  ========      =========        ========     ========= 
Net deferred income tax assets                                    $548,435                       $423,556
                                                                  ========                       ========
</TABLE>

No valuation allowance has been recorded on the net deferred income tax assets
at December 31, 1997 and 1996 as the Company expects to continue to generate
significant taxable income in future years.

     At December 31, 1997, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of
approximately $108,800,000 available to offset future taxable income in the U.S.
and certain foreign jurisdictions which expire as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>     
1998                                                                   $    300
1999                                                                      1,100
2000                                                                      1,400
2001                                                                      8,000
2002                                                                        400
2003                                                                      1,800
2004                                                                      2,200
2005                                                                      1,900
2006                                                                        200
2007                                                                      6,200
2008                                                                      1,800
2009                                                                      1,300
2010                                                                        900
2011                                                                        900
Do not expire                                                            80,400
                                                                       --------
                                                                       $108,800
                                                                       ========
</TABLE>


                                      29
<PAGE>   13

Notes to Financial Statements

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK--The Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 128, Earnings per Share, in the fourth quarter
of 1997. Under SFAS No. 128, net income per basic share is computed by dividing
net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period.
Net income per diluted share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted
average number of shares assuming dilution. Dilutive shares reflect the
potential additional shares that would be outstanding if the dilutive stock
options outstanding were exercised during the period.
The computation of net income per share was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands except per share data                          1997          1996          1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>           <C>       
Net income                                            $  586,951    $  486,315    $  387,608
                                                      ==========    ==========    ==========
Net income per share--Basic:
  Weighted average common shares                         249,284       247,556       235,978
                                                      ==========    ==========    ==========
  Net income per share--Basic                         $     2.35    $     1.96    $     1.64
                                                      ==========    ==========    ==========

Net income per share--Diluted:
  Weighted average common shares                         249,284       247,556       235,978
  Effect of dilutive stock options                         2,476         2,014         1,768
                                                      ----------    ----------    ----------
  Weighted average common shares assuming dilution       251,760       249,570       237,746
                                                      ==========    ==========    ==========
  Net income per share--Diluted                       $     2.33    $     1.95    $     1.63
                                                      ==========    ==========    ==========
</TABLE>

Options to purchase 1,128,639 and 752,350 shares of common stock at an average
price of $54.61 and $30.13 per share were outstanding at December 31, 1997 and
1995, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted net
income per share for the period, because the options' exercise price was greater
than the average market price of the common shares. These options will expire in
2007 and 2005, respectively.

Cash and Equivalents included interest-bearing deposits of $118,982,000 at
December 31, 1997 and $83,900,000 at December 31, 1996.

     Interest-bearing deposits have maturities of 90 days or less and are stated
at cost, which approximates market.

Trade Receivables as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 were net of allowances for
uncollectible accounts of $20,800,000 and $22,400,000, respectively.

Inventories at December 31, 1997 and 1996 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                               1997           1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>     
Raw material                                             $145,851       $143,979
Work-in-process                                            67,956         71,641
Finished goods                                            309,189        310,396
                                                         --------       --------
                                                         $522,996       $526,016
                                                         ========       ========
</TABLE>

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and include material,
labor and factory overhead. The last-in, first-out (LIFO) method is used to
determine the cost of the inventories of the majority of domestic operations.
Inventories priced at LIFO were 39% and 43% of total inventories as of December
31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The first-in, first-out (FIFO) method is used
for all other inventories. Under the FIFO method, which approximates current
cost, total inventories would have been approximately $58,500,000 and
$57,100,000 higher than reported at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

Plant and Equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Renewals
and improvements that increase the useful life of plant and equipment are
capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

     Depreciation was $148,544,000 in 1997 compared with $146,360,000 in 1996
and $126,900,000 in 1995 and was reflected primarily in cost of revenues.
Depreciation of plant and equipment for financial reporting purposes is computed
principally on an accelerated basis.

     The range of useful lives used to depreciate plant and equipment is as
follows:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                  <C>        
Buildings and improvements                                           10-40 years
Machinery and equipment                                               3-12 years
Equipment leased to others                                         Term of lease
</TABLE>




                                      30
<PAGE>   14

                                                        Illinois Tool Works Inc.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                                         1997          1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>           <C>
Commercial mortgage loans                                         $  573,717    $  457,015
Commercial real estate                                               167,194        86,919
Net swap receivables                                                 258,857       171,330
Receivable from mortgage servicer                                     18,216        16,313
Leveraged, direct financing and sales-type leases of equipment        79,875        83,432
Properties held for sale                                              22,583        18,456
Property developments                                                 17,871        18,425
Affordable housing                                                    17,095        13,581
Annuity contract                                                       5,005            --
U.S. Treasury security                                                 4,479         4,286
Other                                                                  5,123         2,935
                                                                  ----------    ----------
                                                                  $1,170,015    $  872,692
                                                                  ==========    ==========
</TABLE>

In December 1997, the Company acquired a pool of mortgage-related assets in
exchange for a nonrecourse note payable of $217,440,000, preferred stock of a
subsidiary of $20,000,000 and cash of $80,000,000. In December 1996, the Company
acquired a pool of mortgage-related assets in exchange for a nonrecourse note
payable of $266,265,000, preferred stock of a subsidiary of $20,000,000 and cash
of $80,000,000. In December 1995, the Company acquired a pool of
mortgage-related assets in exchange for a nonrecourse note payable of
$256,000,000, preferred stock of a subsidiary of $20,000,000 and cash of
$80,000,000. The mortgage-related assets for the three transactions are located
throughout the U.S. and include 38 subperforming, variable rate, balloon loans
and 13 foreclosed properties at December 31, 1997. In conjunction with these
transactions, the Company simultaneously entered into ten-year swap agreements
and other related agreements whereby the Company will pay a third party the
portion of the interest and net operating cash flow from the mortgage-related
assets in excess of $26,000,000 per year and a portion of the proceeds from the
disposition of the mortgage-related assets and principal repayments, in exchange
for the third party making payments to the Company equal to the contractual
principal and interest payments on the nonrecourse notes payable. In addition,
in the event that the pools of mortgage-related assets do not generate income of
$26,000,000 a year, the Company has a collateral right against the cash flow
generated by three separate pools of mortgage-related assets (owned by third
parties in which the Company has minimal interests) which have a total fair
value of approximately $3,074,588,000 at December 31, 1997. The Company entered
into the swaps and other related agreements in order to reduce its credit and
interest rate risks relative to the mortgage-related assets.

     The Company expects to recover its net investment in the mortgage-related
assets and net swap receivables of $297,859,000 at December 31, 1997 (net of the
related nonrecourse notes payable) through its expected net cash flow of
$26,000,000 per year for the remainder of the ten-year periods and its estimated
share of $416,500,000 of the proceeds from disposition of the mortgage-related
assets and principal repayments.

     In the first quarter of 1995, the Company exchanged preferred stock of a
subsidiary of $40,000,000 for investments in mortgage-backed securities of
$32,000,000 and corporate debt securities of $8,000,000 in a noncash
transaction. The preferred stock was subsequently redeemed for $40,000,000 cash
in the fourth quarter of 1995. The mortgage-backed securities were sold in the
first quarter of 1996.

     The Company evaluates whether the commercial mortgage loans have been
impaired by reviewing the discounted estimated future cash flows of the loans
versus the carrying value of the loans. If the carrying value exceeds the
discounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recorded through income. At
December 31, 1997 and 1996, the impairment loss allowance was $12,000,000 and
$4,803,000, respectively. The estimated fair value of the commercial mortgage
loans, based on discounted future cash flows, exceeds the carrying value by
$26,587,000 at December 31, 1997 and approximates the carrying value at December
31, 1996. The net swap receivables are recorded at fair value, based on the
estimated future cash flows discounted at the current market interest rate. Any
adjustments to the carrying value of the net swap receivables due to changes in
expected future cash flows or interest rates are recorded through income.



                                      31

<PAGE>   15
Notes to Financial Statements

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     The Company's investment in leveraged and direct financing leases relates
to equipment used primarily in the transportation, mining and paper processing
industries. The components of the investment in leveraged, direct financing and
sales-type leases at December 31, 1997 and 1996 were as shown below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                                                               1997         1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                    <C>          <C>     
Lease contracts receivable (net of principal and interest on nonrecourse financing)    $ 86,183     $ 92,874
Estimated residual value of leased assets                                                25,596       25,601
Unearned and deferred income                                                            (31,904)     (35,043)
                                                                                       --------     --------
Investment in leveraged, direct financing and sales-type leases                          79,875       83,432
Deferred income taxes related to leveraged and direct financing leases                  (36,639)     (37,980)
                                                                                       --------     --------
Net investment in leveraged, direct financing and sales-type leases                    $ 43,236     $ 45,452
                                                                                       ========     ========
</TABLE>

Goodwill represents the excess cost over fair value of the net assets of
purchased businesses. Goodwill is being amortized on a straight-line basis over
15 to 40 years. The Company assesses the recoverability of unamortized goodwill
and the other long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate that such assets may be impaired by reviewing the sufficiency of future
undiscounted cash flows of the related entity to cover the amortization or
depreciation over the remaining useful life of the asset. For any long-lived
assets which are determined to be impaired, a loss would be recognized for the
difference between the carrying value and the fair value for assets to be held
or the net realizable value for assets to be disposed of.

     Amortization expense was $25,666,000 in 1997, $21,727,000 in 1996, and
$16,335,000 in 1995. Accumulated goodwill amortization was $133,137,000 and
$125,532,000, at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

Other Assets as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                              1997          1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>      
Other intangible assets                                $ 132,974     $ 136,774
Accumulated amortization of other intangible assets      (30,048)      (48,269)
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies           83,341        64,234
Prepaid pension assets                                    62,041        54,115
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates                   28,526        34,217
Investment in businesses to be sold                           --       170,478
Other                                                     51,219        56,283
                                                       ---------     ---------
                                                       $ 328,053     $ 467,832
                                                       =========     =========
</TABLE>

Other intangible assets represent patents, noncompete agreements and other
assets acquired with purchased businesses and are being amortized primarily on a
straight-line basis over five to 17 years. Amortization expense was $11,176,000
in 1997, $10,146,000 in 1996, and $8,696,000 in 1995.

     The businesses acquired in the Azon acquisition in 1996 which were expected
to be sold were not consolidated and were recorded at estimated fair value at
December 31, 1996. During 1997, the Company disposed of the majority of the Azon
businesses which were expected to be sold.



                                      32

<PAGE>   16
                                                        Illinois Tool Works Inc.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retirement Plans--The Company sponsors defined contribution retirement plans
covering the majority of domestic employees. The Company's contributions to
these plans were $11,900,000 in 1997, $12,200,000 in 1996 and $9,900,000 in
1995.

     The Company provides the majority of its employees with pension benefits.
The Company's principal domestic plan provides benefits based on years of
service and compensation levels during the latter years of employment. Other
domestic and foreign plans provide benefits similar to the principal domestic
plan. Subject to the limitation on deductibility imposed by U.S federal income
tax laws, the Company's policy has been to contribute funds to the domestic
plans annually in amounts required to maintain sufficient plan assets to provide
for accrued benefits. Contributions of $13,865,000 and $11,303,000 were made to
the principal plan during 1997 and 1996, respectively. No contributions to the
principal plan were made in 1995. Contributions to international and other
domestic plans were minimal in 1997, 1996 and 1995. Domestic plan assets consist
primarily of listed common stocks and debt securities.

     The components of net pension expense were as shown below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                       1997          1996          1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>           <C>           <C>      
Service cost                                     $  29,830     $  24,373     $  24,369
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation       41,688        35,641        33,972
Actual return on plan assets                      (155,661)      (71,754)      (99,364)
Net amortization and deferral                       99,948        19,233        49,102
                                                 ---------     ---------     ---------
Net pension expense                              $  15,805     $   7,493     $   8,079
                                                 =========     =========     =========
</TABLE>

The following table sets forth the funded status and amounts recognized in the
Company's Statement of Financial Position at December 31, 1997 and 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           1997                        1996
                                                         -----------------------     ------------------------
In thousands                                             Domestic       Foreign      Domestic       Foreign
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>       
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
  Vested                                                 $(356,846)    $(107,492)    $(323,331)    $ (86,844)
  Non-vested                                               (61,681)      (11,465)      (62,057)      (16,118)
                                                         ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Accumulated benefit obligation                            (418,527)     (118,957)     (385,388)     (102,962)
Effect of projected wage increases                         (51,758)      (24,101)      (49,970)      (16,751)
                                                         ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Projected benefit obligation                              (470,285)     (143,058)     (435,358)     (119,713)
Plan assets at fair value                                  620,314       149,972       499,218       122,956
                                                         ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Plan assets in excess of projected benefit obligation      150,029         6,914        63,860         3,243
Unrecognized net gain                                     (129,459)      (12,636)      (52,218)      (13,653)
Unrecognized prior service cost                             25,983           292        31,038            --
Unrecognized transition asset                              (11,585)       (5,542)      (15,501)       (6,554)
Adjustment to recognize minimum liability                   (6,239)       (1,008)       (5,873)         (643)
                                                         ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Prepaid (accrued) pension asset (liability)              $  28,729     $ (11,980)    $  21,306     $ (17,607)
                                                         =========     =========     =========     =========
</TABLE>

The significant actuarial assumptions at December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 were
as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1997           1996           1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>            <C>       
Domestic plans:
  Discount rate                                              7.50%          7.75%          7.75%
  Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets          10.00%         10.00%         10.00%
  Rate of increase in future compensation levels             4.00%          4.50%          4.00%
Foreign plans:
  Discount rate                                         3.50-8.00%     4.00-9.00%     5.50-9.00%
  Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets      5.00-9.00%     5.50-9.00%     5.50-9.00%
</TABLE>




                                      33

<PAGE>   17
Notes to Financial Statements

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-Term Debt as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                                 1997           1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>     
Bank overdrafts                                          $ 73,322       $ 45,472
Commercial paper                                               --         54,990
Current maturities of long-term debt                      151,409         30,549
Australian cash advance facility                           56,842        244,717
Other borrowings by foreign subsidiaries                   16,705         14,697
                                                         --------       --------
                                                         $298,278       $390,425
                                                         ========       ========
</TABLE>

Commercial paper is issued at a discount and generally matures 30 to 90 days
from the date of issue. The weighted average interest rate on commercial paper
outstanding at December 31, 1996 was 6.41%.

     In August 1996, to fund the Azon acquisition, the Company entered into a
364-day Australian cash advance facility with maximum available borrowings of
Australian $325,000,000. In September 1997, the Company amended this cash
advance facility to decrease the maximum available borrowings to Australian
$175,000,000 and to extend the term of the facility to August 1998. The facility
had an interest rate of 5.0% at December 31, 1997 and 6.7% at December 31, 1996.

     The weighted average interest rate on other foreign borrowings was 5.0% at
December 31, 1997 and 4.4% at December 31, 1996.

Accrued Expenses as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 consisted of accruals for:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                                1997           1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>     
Compensation and employee benefits                      $185,017       $237,476
Taxes, other than income taxes                            20,985         23,375
Customer deposits                                         20,780         29,816
Other                                                    231,599        222,260
                                                        --------       --------
                                                        $458,381       $512,927
                                                        ========       ========
</TABLE>




                                      34


<PAGE>   18
                                                        Illinois Tool Works Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-Term Debt at December 31, 1997 and 1996 consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                                                                 1997            1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                                                                                       <C>             <C>        
7.5% notes due December 1, 1998                                                           $   125,000     $   125,000
5.875% notes due March 1, 2000                                                                125,000         125,000
6.59% nonrecourse note due semiannually through December 31, 2005                             236,500         253,625
7.00% nonrecourse note due semiannually through November 30, 2006                             266,185         266,265
6.44% nonrecourse note due semiannually from August 31, 2002 through February 29, 2008        217,440              --
Other, including capitalized lease obligations                                                 35,612          79,606
                                                                                          -----------     -----------
                                                                                            1,005,737         849,496
Current maturities                                                                           (151,409)        (30,549)
                                                                                          -----------     -----------
                                                                                          $   854,328     $   818,947
                                                                                          ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

In 1991, the Company issued $125,000,000 of 7.5% notes due December 1, 1998 at
99.892% of face value. The notes may not be redeemed by the Company prior to
maturity. The effective interest rate of the notes is 7.6%.

     In 1993, the Company issued $125,000,000 of 5.875% notes due March 1, 2000
at 99.744% of face value. The notes may not be redeemed by the Company prior to
maturity. The effective interest rate of the notes is 5.9%.

     The quoted market prices of the 7.5% and 5.875% notes exceeded the carrying
values by $1,191,000 at December 31, 1997, and $700,000 at December 31, 1996.

     The Company issued a $256,000,000 6.28% nonrecourse note at face value in
December 1995, a $266,265,000 7.0% nonrecourse note at face value in December
1996 and a $217,440,000 6.44% nonrecourse note at face value in December 1997.
In 1997, the Company refinanced the 6.28% nonrecourse note with a 6.59%
nonrecourse note with similar terms. The holders of these notes only have
recourse against the commercial mortgage loans, commercial real estate and the
net swap receivable, which are included in investments. The estimated fair value
of the three nonrecourse notes, based on discounted cash flows, exceeded the
carrying value by $19,978,000 at December 31, 1997 and approximated carrying
value at December 31, 1996.

     In 1992, the Company entered into a $300,000,000 revolving credit facility
(RCF). In May 1996, the Company amended the RCF to increase the maximum
available borrowings to $350,000,000 and extended the commitment termination
date to May 30, 2001. The amended RCF provides for borrowings under a number of
options and may be reduced or canceled at any time at the Company's option.
There were no amounts outstanding under these facilities as of December 31, 1997
or 1996. The Company maintains unused commitments under the RCF equal to any
commercial paper borrowings.

     The amended RCF contains financial covenants establishing a maximum total
debt to total capitalization percentage and a minimum consolidated tangible net
worth. The Company was in compliance with these covenants at December 31, 1997.

     Other debt outstanding at December 31, 1997 bears interest at rates ranging
from 2.19% to 14.5%, with maturities through the year 2012.

     Scheduled maturities of long-term debt for the years ended December 31 are
as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                                                                     <C>     
1999                                                                    $ 30,830
2000                                                                     153,629
2001                                                                      49,949
2002                                                                      40,141
2003 and future years                                                    579,779
                                                                        --------
                                                                        $854,328
                                                                        ========
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Noncurrent Liabilities at December 31, 1997 and 1996 consisted of the
following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                             1997           1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>     
Deferred investment income                           $287,958       $238,870
Preferred stock of subsidiaries                        60,000         40,000
Other                                                 228,136         92,995
                                                     --------       --------
                                                     $576,094       $371,865
                                                     ========       ========
</TABLE>






                                      35
<PAGE>   19
Notes to Financial Statements

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POSTRETIREMENT HEALTH CARE BENEFITS--The Company provides postretirement health
care benefits to the majority of domestic employees and their covered
dependents. Generally, employees who have reached age 55 and rendered 10 years
of service are eligible for these benefits, which are subject to retiree
contributions, deductibles, copayment provisions and other limitations. The
expected cost of the health care benefits is charged to expense during the
service lives of the employees. The Company funds the health care benefits
principally on a pay-as-you-go basis.

     A one-percentage point increase in the health care cost trend rate would
increase the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31,
1997 by approximately $16,437,000 and the sum of the 1997 annual service and
interest cost by approximately $1,635,000. The costs of postretirement health
care benefits were as shown below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                                              1997          1996           1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                     <C>            <C>            <C>    
Service cost                                                            $ 2,381        $ 2,253        $ 2,110
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation            9,246          9,182         10,077
Net amortization and deferral                                             6,134          6,067          5,581
                                                                        -------        -------        -------
Net postretirement benefit cost                                         $17,761        $17,502        $17,768
                                                                        =======        =======        =======
</TABLE>

The following  table sets forth the amounts  recognized in the
Company's Statement of Financial Position at December 31, 1997 and 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                                1997           1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>       
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
  Retirees                                               $ (89,650)     $ (86,467)
  Active employees                                         (36,904)       (35,614)
                                                         ---------      --------- 
                                                          (126,554)      (122,081)
Unrecognized transition obligation                          108,137        115,346
Unrecognized net gain                                      (21,631)       (26,461)
                                                         ---------      --------- 
Accrued postretirement benefit cost                      $ (40,048)     $ (33,196)
                                                         =========      ========= 
</TABLE>

The significant actuarial assumptions at December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 were
as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         1997           1996           1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>  
Discount rate                           7.50%          7.75%          7.75%
Health care cost trend rate:
  Current rate                          5.00%          5.00%          7.00%
  Ultimate rate in 1998                 5.00%          5.00%          5.00%
</TABLE>








                                      36
<PAGE>   20

                                                        Illinois Tool Works Inc.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PREFERRED STOCK, without par value, of which 300,000 shares are authorized, is
issuable in series. The Board of Directors is authorized to fix by resolution
the designation and characteristics of each series of preferred stock. The
Company has no present commitments to issue its preferred stock.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, Additional Paid-in-Capital and Common Stock Held in Treasury
transactions during 1997, 1996 and 1995 are shown below. On May 9, 1997, the
stockholders approved a) an amendment to the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation changing the number of authorized shares of common stock from
150,000,000 shares without par value to 350,000,000 shares with a par value of
$.01 and b) a two-for-one split of the Company's common stock, with a
distribution date of May 27, 1997, at a rate of one additional share for each
common share held by stockholders of record on May 20, 1997. All per share data
in this report is calculated on a post-split basis.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      ADDITIONAL                    COMMON STOCK
                                                                    COMMON STOCK PAID-IN-CAPITAL                HELD IN TREASURY
                                                     --------------------------- ---------------     ---------------------------
In thousands except shares                             SHARES             AMOUNT          AMOUNT         SHARES           AMOUNT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>             <C>             <C>                <C>          <C>         
Balance, December 31, 1994                           114,100,500     $   201,166     $        --        (142,568)    $    (1,952)
During 1995--
  Stock options exercised                                382,587           7,300              --           2,113             118
  Shares surrendered on exercise of stock options         (4,626)           (243)             --          (2,113)           (118)
  Tax benefits related to stock options exercised             --           2,528              --              --              --
  Shares issued for acquisitions                       3,876,477          27,501              --              --              --
  Shares issued for stock incentive and
    restricted stock grants                               14,091           1,436              --           6,300              86
                                                     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Balance, December 31, 1995                           118,369,029         239,688              --        (136,268)         (1,866)
                                                     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
During 1996--
  Stock options exercised                                254,181           5,871              --          23,462           1,579
  Shares surrendered on exercise of stock options        (11,791)           (462)             --         (23,462)         (1,579)
  Tax benefits related to stock options exercised             --           3,176              --              --              --
  Shares issued for acquisitions                       5,408,704          25,510              --              --              --
  Shares issued for stock incentive and
    restricted stock grants                                   --              81              --           1,800              25
                                                     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Balance, December 31, 1996                           124,020,123         273,864              --        (134,468)         (1,841)
                                                     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
During 1997--
  Adjustment to reflect the May 1997 stock split     124,020,123              --              --        (134,468)             --
  Adjustment to reflect change in par value                   --        (275,701)        275,701              --              --    
  Stock options exercised                                673,132           4,018           4,452          14,862             796
  Shares surrendered on exercise of stock options        (33,162)            (10)           (744)        (14,862)           (796)
  Tax benefits related to stock options exercised             --              --           7,758              --              --
  Shares issued for acquisitions                       1,181,228             289             (14)             --              --
  Shares issued for stock incentive and
    restricted stock grants                                4,460              39              --           1,200               8
                                                     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Balance, December 31, 1997                           249,865,904     $     2,499     $   287,153        (267,736)    $    (1,833)
                                                     ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========

Authorized, December 31, 1997                        350,000,000
                                                     ===========
                                                                                                                    
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Dividends declared were $.46 per share in 1997, $.36 per share in 1996 and
$.32 per share in 1995. Cash dividends paid were $.43 per share in 1997, $.35
per share in 1996 and $.31 per share in 1995.





                                      37

<PAGE>   21
Notes to Financial Statements

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock Options have been issued to officers and other employees under the
Company's 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, which was adopted in 1996. At December 31,
1997, 19,005,370 shares were reserved for issuance under the plan. Option prices
are 100% of the common stock fair market value on the date of grant.

     Effective in 1996, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.
123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, allows the recognition of
compensation cost related to employee stock options. The Company has elected to
continue to apply Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for
Stock Issued to Employees, which does not require that compensation cost be
recognized. The pro forma net income effect of applying SFAS No. 123 is as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands except per share data           1997           1996           1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>            <C>            <C>        
Net Income:
  As reported                         $   586,951    $   486,315    $   387,608
  Pro forma                               582,909        482,767        387,608
Net income per basic share:
  As reported                         $      2.35    $      1.96    $      1.64
  Pro forma                                  2.34           1.95           1.64
Net income per diluted share:
  As reported                         $      2.33    $      1.95    $      1.63
  Pro forma                                  2.32           1.93           1.63
</TABLE>

The table presented below provides a summary of the stock option transactions
during 1997, 1996 and 1995:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1997                              1996                             1995
                                --------------------------------- --------------------------------- --------------------------------
                                                 WEIGHTED AVERAGE                  WEIGHTED AVERAGE                 WEIGHTED AVERAGE
                                NUMBER OF SHARES  EXERCISE PRICE  NUMBER OF SHARES  EXERCISE PRICE  NUMBER OF SHARES EXERCISE PRICE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>           <C>          <C>               <C>              <C>             <C>        
Under option at beginning of year      4,999,416     $    21.56       5,154,158     $    19.71       4,447,104       $   14.26
  Granted                              1,128,639          54.61         420,028          33.69       1,554,330           30.12
  Exercised                             (687,994)         14.30        (556,020)         13.44        (769,400)           9.56
  Canceled or expired                    (55,376)         27.17         (18,750)         23.29         (77,876)          17.34
                                  --------------                   ------------                   ------------     
Under option at end of year            5,384,685          29.36       4,999,416          21.56       5,154,158           19.71
                                  ==============                   ============                   ============     

Exercisable at year-end                3,145,946                      3,037,064                      2,857,328
Available for grant at year-end       13,620,685                     14,650,384                      4,054,072
Weighted average fair value of
  option grant during the year    $        15.82                   $      10.01                   $       8.47
</TABLE>

The following table summarizes information on stock options outstanding as of
December 31, 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Options Outstanding                       Options Exercisable
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------
                                          WEIGHTED AVERAGE
       RANGE OF   NUMBER OUTSTANDING             REMAINING     WEIGHTED AVERAGE  NUMBER EXERCISABLE     WEIGHTED AVERAGE
EXERCISE PRICES                1997       CONTRACTUAL LIFE       EXERCISE PRICE                1997       EXERCISE PRICE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                  <C>                      <C>               <C>                     <C>   
  $ 8.31-16.25            1,164,071            3.42 years               $13.69            1,164,071               $13.69
   18.31-25.19            1,225,958            6.11 years                18.62            1,179,958                18.55
   30.13-39.81            1,864,989            8.03 years                30.92              800,889                30.51
   40.22-56.75            1,129,667            9.95 years                54.60                1,028                40.22
                          ---------                                                       ---------               
                          5,384,685            7.00 years                29.36            3,145,946                19.80
                          =========                                                       =========             
</TABLE>

The estimated fair value of each option granted is calculated using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following summarizes the assumptions
used in the model:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 1997           1996           1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>            <C>            <C> 
Risk-free interest rate                           5.9%           6.4%           5.6%
Expected stock volatility                        21.7%          22.2%          21.8%
Dividend yield                                   1.29%          1.36%          1.36%
Expected years until exercise                     5.5            5.5            5.5
</TABLE>



                                      38

<PAGE>   22
Quarterly and Common Stock Data                        Illinois Tool Works Inc.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         THREE MONTHS ENDED
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   MARCH 31                  JUNE 30             SEPTEMBER 30              DECEMBER 31
In thousands except    -----------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  -------------------------
per share amounts          1997        1996         1997        1996         1997        1996        1997         1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>       
Operating revenues     $1,229,798   $1,136,922  $1,326,344   $1,324,800  $1,315,388   $1,238,261  $1,348,903  $1,296,698
Cost of revenues          807,317      755,539     854,352      871,156     857,495      817,658     859,630     837,177
Operating income          196,433      161,438     245,819      214,992     235,763      198,731     249,208     225,425
Net income                123,255       98,755     154,394      130,375     149,130      122,842     160,172     134,343
Net income per share:
  Basic                       .49          .40         .62          .53         .60          .50         .64         .54
  Diluted                     .49          .40         .61          .52         .59          .49         .64         .54
</TABLE>

COMMON STOCK PRICE AND DIVIDEND DATA--The common stock of Illinois Tool Works
Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange.
Quarterly market price and dividend data for 1997 and 1996, restated for the
two-for-one stock split in May 1997, were as shown below:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          MARKET PRICE PER SHARE
                          ----------------------
                            HIGH         LOW     DIVIDENDS PAID PER SHARE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>         <C>                       <C>  
1997
Fourth quarter             $60.13      $46.88                    $.120
Third quarter               55.31       45.56                     .120
Second quarter              52.63       40.31                     .095
First quarter               45.69       37.38                     .095

1996
Fourth quarter             $43.63      $34.75                    $.095
Third quarter               37.13       30.44                     .085
Second quarter              34.88       30.50                     .085
First quarter               34.75       25.94                     .085
</TABLE>

The approximate number of holders of record of common stock as of February 13,
1998 was 4,772. This number does not include beneficial owners of the Company's
securities held in the name of nominees.


                                      39
<PAGE>   23

Eleven-Year Financial Summary

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dollars and shares in thousands 
except per share amounts                                 1997         1996        1995         1994         1993         1992    
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income:
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>       
Operating revenues                                   $ 5,220,433    4,996,681   4,178,080    3,461,315    3,159,181    2,811,645 
Cost of revenues                                     $ 3,378,794    3,281,530   2,723,988    2,290,117    2,122,286    1,858,752 
Selling, administrative and research and 
   development expenses                              $   870,268      875,386     776,112      666,576      638,560      589,423 
Amortization of goodwill and other 
   intangible assets                                 $    36,842       31,873      25,031       22,344       21,874       22,169 
Amortization of retiree health care                  $     7,306        7,306       6,968        6,968        6,968           -- 
Operating income                                     $   927,223      800,586     645,981      475,310      369,493      341,301 
Interest expense                                     $   (19,383)     (27,834)    (29,991)     (26,943)     (35,025)     (42,852)
Other income (expense)                               $    16,511       (2,437)      7,718        1,916        1,402       11,331 
Income before income taxes                           $   924,351      770,315     623,708      450,283      335,870      309,780 
Income taxes                                         $   337,400      284,000     236,100      172,500      129,300      117,700 
Net income                                           $   586,951      486,315     387,608      277,783      206,570      192,080 
  Basic per share                                    $      2.35         1.96        1.64         1.22          .91          .86 
  Diluted per share                                  $      2.33         1.95        1.63         1.22          .90          .85 
Financial Position:
Net working capital                                  $   700,762      481,767     681,558      634,500      547,506      492,118 
Net plant and equipment                              $   884,058      808,340     694,941      641,235      583,765      524,116 
Total assets                                         $ 5,394,756    4,806,162   3,591,318    2,580,498    2,336,891    2,204,187 
Long-term debt                                       $   854,328      818,947     615,557      272,987      375,641      251,979 
Total debt                                           $ 1,152,606    1,209,372     791,745      339,989      482,714      335,240 
Stockholders' equity                                 $ 2,806,454    2,396,025   1,924,237    1,541,521    1,258,669    1,339,673 
Other Data:
Operating income:
  Return on operating revenues                       %      17.8         16.0        15.5         13.7         11.7         12.1 
Net income:                                                 
  Return on operating revenues                       %      11.2          9.7         9.3          8.0          6.5          6.8 
  Return on average stockholders' equity             %      22.6         22.5        22.4         19.8         15.9         15.1 
Cash dividends paid                                  $   107,053       85,481      71,783       61,162       55,175       50,290 
  Per share--paid                                    $       .43          .35         .31          .27          .25          .23 
           --declared                                $       .46          .36         .32          .28          .25          .23 
Book value per share                                 $     11.24         9.67        8.14         6.76         5.56         5.98 
Common stock market price at year-end                $     60.13        39.94       29.50        21.88        19.50        16.31 
Long-term debt to total capitalization               %      23.3         25.5        24.2         15.0         23.0         15.8 
Total debt to total capitalization                   %      29.1         33.5        29.2         18.1         27.7         20.0 
Total debt to total capitalization (excluding               
    Leasing and Investments Segment)                 %       4.6         15.9        16.2         18.1         27.7         20.0 
Shares outstanding:
  At December 31                                         249,598      247,771     236,466      227,916      226,300      224,027 
  Average during year                                    249,284      247,556     235,978      226,775      225,958      223,492 
Plant and equipment additions                        $   178,704      168,657     150,176      131,055      119,931      115,313 
Depreciation                                         $   148,544      146,360     126,900      109,805      109,852      100,462 
Research and development expenses                    $    52,021       55,800      52,700       48,700       47,200       42,500 
Employees at December 31                                  25,700       24,400      21,200       19,500       19,000       17,800 
Operating revenues per employee                      $       203          205         197          178          166          158 
<CAPTION>
Dollars and shares in thousands 
except per share amounts                               1991         1990        1989          1988        1987
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income:
<S>                                                  <C>          <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>      
Operating revenues                                   2,639,650    2,544,153   2,172,747     1,929,805   1,698,353
Cost of revenues                                     1,759,288    1,686,423   1,450,116     1,287,297   1,117,990
Selling, administrative and research and 
   development expenses                                551,865      512,685     417,520       377,003     344,661
Amortization of goodwill and other 
   intangible assets                                    23,979       19,181      15,829        13,106      16,812
Amortization of retiree health care                         --           --          --            --          --
Operating income                                       304,518      325,864     289,282       252,399     218,890
Interest expense                                       (44,342)     (39,190)    (30,995)      (26,109)    (33,439)
Other income (expense)                                  27,583       13,209      10,735         6,522      14,333
Income before income taxes                             287,759      299,883     269,022       232,812     199,784
Income taxes                                           107,200      117,500     105,200        92,800      93,600
Net income                                             180,559      182,383     163,822       140,012     106,184
  Basic per share                                          .81          .84         .77           .66         .51
  Diluted per share                                        .81          .83         .76           .65         .50
Financial Position:
Net working capital                                    442,041      615,055     440,406       392,283     332,290
Net plant and equipment                                525,695      483,549     413,578       342,794     318,690
Total assets                                         2,257,139    2,150,307   1,687,985     1,380,237   1,334,063
Long-term debt                                         307,082      430,632     334,407       255,907     309,515
Total debt                                             489,189      495,952     370,507       257,597     357,249
Stockholders' equity                                 1,212,051    1,091,842     871,124       744,727     608,541
Other Data:
Operating income:
  Return on operating revenues                            11.5         12.8        13.3          13.1        12.9
Net income:
  Return on operating revenues                             6.8          7.2         7.5           7.3         6.3
  Return on average stockholders' equity                  15.7         18.6        20.3          20.7        19.6
Cash dividends paid                                     44,108       35,861      28,747        23,027      20,144
  Per share--paid                                          .20          .17         .14           .11         .10
           --declared                                      .21          .17         .14           .12         .10
Book value per share                                      5.44         4.98        4.06          3.53        2.94
Common stock market price at year-end                    15.94        12.07       11.22          8.63        8.25
Long-term debt to total capitalization                    20.2         28.3        27.7          23.3        33.7
Total debt to total capitalization                        28.8         31.2        29.8          25.7        37.0
Total debt to total capitalization (excluding
    Leasing and Investments Segment)                      28.8         31.2        29.8          25.7        37.0
Shares outstanding:
  At December 31                                       222,872      219,218     214,663       211,175     207,120
  Average during year                                  222,354      217,745     214,056       210,700     206,544
Plant and equipment additions                          106,036      101,183      84,263        84,107      61,052
Depreciation                                            91,414       82,913      68,890        62,064      57,839
Research and development expenses                       40,300       40,300      32,500        26,588      24,739
Employees at December 31                                18,700       18,400      15,700        14,200      13,600
Operating revenues per employee                            141          138         138           136         125
</TABLE>


Note: Certain reclassifications of prior years' data have been made to conform
with current year reporting. All share and per share amounts have been restated
for the two-for-one stock split in May 1997.


                                      40

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 21
MARCH 1998
 
                            ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
                          SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 PERCENT
                          COMPANY                               RELATIONSHIP    OWNERSHIP
                          -------                               ------------    ---------
<S>                                                             <C>             <C>
A 3 Sud S.p.A. -- Italy(1)..................................    Subsidiary         100%
Accu-Lub manufacturing GmbH -- Germany......................    Subsidiary         +50%
Azon Pty. Limited -- Australia(2)...........................    Subsidiary         100%
Buell Industries, Inc. -- Delaware..........................    Subsidiary         100%
Burseryds Bruk AB -- Sweden.................................    Subsidiary         100%
Bursped AB -- Sweden(3).....................................    Subsidiary         100%
CEV Hydroelectric Company -- Italy(4).......................     Affiliate        5.77%
Champs Investment E.U.R.L. -- France(5).....................    Subsidiary         100%
Cofiva S.p.A. -- Italy(6)...................................    Subsidiary         100%
Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques S.A.S. --
  France....................................................    Subsidiary         100%
Company Consurtium Valle D'Aosta -- Italy(4)................    Subsidiary         100%
CS Packaging (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd -- Malaysia(7)..............     Affiliate          50%
CS Packaging Corporation Ltd. -- British Virgin Islands.....     Affiliate          50%
CS Packaging Corporation Ltd. -- Hong Kong(8)...............     Affiliate          50%
CS Packaging Corporation Pte. Ltd. -- Singapore(9)..........     Affiliate          50%
CS Packaging Investment Pte. Ltd. -- Singapore(8)...........     Affiliate          50%
Cumberland Leasing Co. -- Illinois(10)......................    Subsidiary         100%
Cyclone Hardware Pty. Ltd. -- Australia(11).................    Subsidiary         100%
Cyklop Signode Packaging Corporation -- Thailand............    Subsidiary         100%
Cyklop Singapore Pte. Ltd. -- Singapore(9)..................    Subsidiary         100%
Danband Products Australia Pty. Ltd. -- Australia(12).......    Subsidiary         100%
Danband Products Limited -- New Zealand(12).................    Subsidiary         100%
Devcon de Mexico, S.A. -- Mexico............................    Subsidiary         100%
Devcon Limited -- Ireland...................................    Subsidiary         100%
DeVilbiss Equipamentos Para Pintura Industrial Ltda. --
  Brazil....................................................    Subsidiary         100%
DeVilbiss Ransburg de Mexico S.A. de C.V. -- Mexico.........    Subsidiary         100%
Edgepack Limited -- United Kingdom(13)......................    Subsidiary         100%
Elettro Gibi S.p.A. -- Italy(6).............................    Subsidiary         100%
Elleyse Financing SNC -- France(14).........................    Subsidiary         100%
Envases Multipac, S.A.de C.V. -- Mexico.....................     Affiliate          49%
Fiber Products Corp. -- Louisiana...........................    Subsidiary         100%
Fixing System S.A. -- Switzerland(15).......................    Subsidiary         100%
Gema Volstatic AG -- Switzerland(15)........................    Subsidiary         100%
Gerhard Haugk GmbH -- Germany(16)...........................    Subsidiary         100%
Gerrard Signode Limited -- New Zealand(12)..................    Subsidiary         100%
Gerrard Signode Pty. Limited -- Australia(12)...............    Subsidiary         100%
Halles Financing E.U.R.L. -- France(17).....................    Subsidiary         100%
Haloila Vertrieb GmbH -- Germany(5).........................    Subsidiary         100%
Heistrap Industriesysteme GmbH -- Germany(18)...............    Subsidiary         100%
Hobart Brothers(International) AG -- Switzerland(15)........    Subsidiary         100%
Hobart Brothers Company -- Ohio.............................    Subsidiary         100%
Hobart Laser Products, Inc.(19).............................    Subsidiary         100%
Hobart Mexico -- Mexico.....................................    Subsidiary         100%
Hylec Eletro Gibi(UK) Ltd. -- United Kingdom(20)............     Affiliate          33%
I.T.W. Inc. -- Illinois.....................................    Subsidiary         100%
ILI International S.A. de C.V. -- Mexico....................    Subsidiary         100%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   2
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 PERCENT
                          COMPANY                               RELATIONSHIP    OWNERSHIP
                          -------                               ------------    ---------
<S>                                                             <C>             <C>
Illinois Tool Works FSC Inc. -- Barbados(21)................    Subsidiary         100%
IMSA ITW, S.A. de C.V. -- Mexico............................     Affiliate          50%
IMSA Paslode, S.A. de C.V. -- Mexico........................     Affiliate          50%
IMSA Signode, S.A. de C.V. -- Mexico........................     Affiliate          50%
Inmobiliaria Cit, S.A. de C.V. -- Mexico....................     Affiliate          49%
Ispra-Control S.p.A. -- Italy(22)...........................    Subsidiary         100%
Ispra-Flex S.p.A. -- Italy(20)..............................    Subsidiary          85%
ITW Ampang Industries Philippines, Inc. -- Philippines......    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Asia(Pte) Limited -- Singapore..........................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Ateco GmbH -- Germany(23)...............................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Austria Vertriebs GmbH -- Austria(16)...................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Automotive Products GmbH -- Germany(24).................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Automotive Products GmbH, K.G.(25)......................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Befestigungssyteme GmbH -- Germany(24)..................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Belgium S.A. -- Belgium.................................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Bevestigingssystemen B.V. -- Netherlands(26)............    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Canada -- Canada(27)....................................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Canada Holdings Company -- Canada(19)...................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Canada Management Inc. -- Canada........................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW-Canguru Rotulos Ltda. -- Brazil.........................     Affiliate          50%
ITW Cayman -- Cayman Islands(6).............................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW China Components Inc. -- Delaware.......................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Construction Products (Suzhou) Co. Ltd. -- China........    Subsidiary         100%
ITW de Argentina S.A -- Argentina(6)........................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW de Fastex de Argentina S.A. -- Argentina(28)............    Subsidiary         100%
ITW de France S.A.S. -- France(5)...........................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW (Deutschland) GmbH -- Germany(29).......................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Devcon Industriel Products GmbH -- Germany(24)..........    Subsidiary         100%
ITW do Brazil Industrial e Comercial Ltda. -- Brazil........    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Domestic Holdings Inc. -- Delaware......................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Dynatec (Hong Kong) Limited -- Hong Kong................     Affiliate          50%
ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha -- Japan.......................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Dynatec Singapore Pte. Ltd. -- Singapore................     Affiliate          50%
ITW Dynatec Thailand Ltd. -- Thailand.......................     Affiliate          20%
ITW Electronic Packaging (Malta) Ltd. -- Malta(30)..........    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Espana S.A. -- Spain(6).................................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Expandet S.A. -- France(31).............................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Fastex Italia S.p.A. -- Italy(6)........................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Finance L.L.C. -- Delaware(32)..........................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Finance II L.L.C. -- Delaware(33).......................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Finishing L.L.C. -- Delaware(34)........................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Gunther S.A.S -- France(5)..............................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Holding France S.A.S. -- France(6)......................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Holdings GmbH -- Germany(35)............................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Holdings Japan L.L.C. -- Delaware(36)...................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Holdings Pty. -- Australia(37)..........................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Holdings U.K. -- United Kingdom(6)......................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW-Imaden Industria E Comercio Ltda. -- Brazil.............    Subsidiary          75%
ITW Industrie G.m.b.H. -- Germany(24).......................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Industry Co., Ltd. -- Japan(38).........................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW International Finance Inc. -- Delaware(21)..............    Subsidiary         100%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   3
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 PERCENT
                          COMPANY                               RELATIONSHIP    OWNERSHIP
                          -------                               ------------    ---------
<S>                                                             <C>             <C>
ITW International Finance S.A.S. -- France(6)...............    Subsidiary         100%
ITW International Holdings Inc. -- Delaware(39).............    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Investments, Inc. -- Delaware(40).......................    Subsidiary          90%
ITW Ireland -- Ireland(41)..................................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Ireland Holdings -- Ireland(42).........................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Italy Finance E.U.R.L. -- France(17)....................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Jeju Industries Private Limited -- India................    Subsidiary          51%
ITW Leasing & Investments Inc. -- Delaware..................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Limited Sweden Filial Sverige -- Sweden(43).............    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Limited -- United Kingdom(44)...........................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Mapri Industria e Commercio Ltda -- Brazil(45)..........    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd. -- Malaysia(46).......................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Mima Europe S.N.C. -- France(5).........................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Mima Films L.L.C. -- Delaware(47).......................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Mima Holdings L.L.C. -- Delaware(47)....................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Mortgage Investments I, Inc. -- Delaware(48)............    Subsidiary          90%
ITW Mortgage Investments II, Inc. -- Delaware(49)...........    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Mortgage Investments III, Inc. -- Delaware(50)..........    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Mortgage Investments IV, Inc. -- Delaware(51)...........    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Muller Inc. -- Texas....................................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Nederland B.V. -- Netherlands...........................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW New Zealand -- New Zealand..............................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Oberflaechentechnik GmbH -- Germany(23).................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Packaging Corporation -- Delaware.......................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW PanCon Inc. -- Delaware.................................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Paris E.U.R.L. -- France(5).............................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Polska Sp.s.o.o. -- Poland(6)...........................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Real Estate L.L.C. -- Delaware(52)......................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Residuals Inc. -- Delaware..............................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Service Inc. -- Korea(53)...............................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Shippers S.A. -- Belgium(54)............................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Signode Australasia Pty. Limited -- Australia(55).......    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Signode Holding GmbH -- Germany.........................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Signode India Limited -- India..........................    Subsidiary          51%
ITW Specialty Packaging L.L.C. -- Delaware(56)..............    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Surfaces & Finitions S.A. -- France(5)..................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Sverige AB -- Sweden....................................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Switches Asia Ltd. -- Taiwan............................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Tech Co. Inc. -- Delaware(57)...........................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Universal L.L.C. -- Delaware(6).........................    Subsidiary         100%
ITW Welding Products Asia Pacific Pte. Limited --
  Singapore.................................................    Subsidiary         100%
Jambro Ltd. -- New Zealand..................................    Subsidiary         100%
Japit Inc. -- Japan.........................................     Affiliate          19%
Jemco de Mexico,, S.A. de C.V. -- Mexico....................    Subsidiary         100%
KC Metal Products Pty. Ltd. -- Australia(12)................    Subsidiary         100%
Kinnears Pty. Ltd. -- Australia(11).........................    Subsidiary         100%
Kinnears Ropes Ltd. -- New Zealand(11)......................    Subsidiary         100%
Kormag Industries e Comercio Ltda. -- Brazil................     Affiliate          40%
Liljendals Bruk Ab -- Finland...............................    Subsidiary         100%
Lombard Pressings Limited -- United Kingdom(44).............    Subsidiary         100%
Loveshaw Corporation, The -- Delaware(58)...................    Subsidiary         100%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   4
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 PERCENT
                          COMPANY                               RELATIONSHIP    OWNERSHIP
                          -------                               ------------    ---------
<S>                                                             <C>             <C>
Lys Comet S.A.S. -- France(5)...............................    Subsidiary         100%
Lys Fusion Poland Sp.z.o.o. -- Poland(4)....................    Subsidiary          87%
Lys Fusion S.p.A. -- Italy(59)..............................    Subsidiary         100%
Meritex(Penang) Sdn. Bhd. -- Malaysia(46)...................    Subsidiary         100%
Meritex Plastic Industries, Inc. -- Texas(6)................    Subsidiary         100%
Meyercord Co., The -- Delaware..............................    Subsidiary         100%
Miller Electric Mfg. Co. -- Wisconsin.......................    Subsidiary         100%
Miller Europe S.p.A. -- Italy(60)...........................    Subsidiary         100%
Miller Group France S.A., The -- France(5)..................    Subsidiary         100%
Miller Insurance Ltd -- Bermuda(60).........................    Subsidiary         100%
Mima Films L.L.C. -- Delaware(61)...........................    Subsidiary         100%
Mima Films S.a.r.1. -- Luxembourg(62).......................    Subsidiary         100%
Mima Films SCA -- Belgium(63)...............................    Subsidiary         100%
Morlock GmbH -- Germany(16).................................    Subsidiary         100%
Morlock Mechanik Verwaltungsgessellschaft mbH --
  Germany(16)...............................................    Subsidiary         100%
Nation Financing E.U.R.L. -- France(5)......................    Subsidiary         100%
Newtec Iberica S.A. -- Spain(64)............................    Subsidiary         100%
Nifco Hi-Cone Leasing Company Limited -- Japan..............     Affiliate          40%
Nouva Cannottieri Olona s.r.1. -- Italy(20).................     Affiliate          .5%
Nuovo Lys Fusion s.r.1. -- Italy(65)........................    Subsidiary         100%
Odesign, Inc. -- Illinois...................................    Subsidiary         100%
Orgapack A.G. -- Switzerland(66)............................    Subsidiary         100%
Orgapack E.U.R.L. -- France(5)..............................    Subsidiary         100%
Orgapack Finance GmbH -- Switzerland(67)....................    Subsidiary         100%
Orgapack GmbH -- Switzerland(67)............................    Subsidiary         100%
Orgapack Holding A.G. -- Switzerland(68)....................    Subsidiary         100%
Oy M Haloila Ab -- Finland(5)...............................    Subsidiary         100%
PT Cyklop Indo Utama -- Indonesia(69).......................     Affiliate          57%
Packaging Leasing Systems Inc. -- Delaware..................    Subsidiary          80%
Padlocker Corporation -- Delaware...........................    Subsidiary         100%
PanCon GmbH -- Germany(16)..................................    Subsidiary         100%
Paslode S.A.R.L. -- France(5)...............................    Subsidiary         100%
Ransburg Gema s.r.1. -- Italy(6)............................    Subsidiary         100%
Ransburg Industrial Finishing K.K. -- Japan(70).............    Subsidiary         100%
Ransburg Manufacturing Corporation -- Indiana...............    Subsidiary         100%
Reddi-Pac, Inc. -- Pennsylvania.............................    Subsidiary         100%
Scanilec B.V. -- Netherlands(25)............................    Subsidiary         100%
Scybele S.A.S. -- France(5).................................    Subsidiary         100%
Seine Investments E.U.R.L. -- France(5).....................    Subsidiary         100%
Serim s.r.1. -- Italy(19)...................................    Subsidiary          51%
Shanghai ITW Plastic & Metal Company Limited -- China(71)...    Subsidiary          93%
Signode B.V. -- Netherlands(26).............................    Subsidiary         100%
Signode Bernpak GmbH -- Germany.............................    Subsidiary         100%
Signode Brasileiria S.A. -- Brazil..........................    Subsidiary          60%
Signode France S.A.S. -- France(5)..........................    Subsidiary         100%
Signode Ireland Limited -- United Kingdom(72)...............     Affiliate          50%
Signode Kabushiki Kaisha -- Japan(6)........................    Subsidiary         100%
Signode Packaging Systems Limited -- East Africa............     Affiliate          20%
Signode Systems GmbH -- Germany(16).........................    Subsidiary         100%
Simco(Nederland) B.V. -- Netherlands(6).....................    Subsidiary         100%
Simco Japan, K.K. -- Japan..................................    Subsidiary         +50%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   5
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 PERCENT
                          COMPANY                               RELATIONSHIP    OWNERSHIP
                          -------                               ------------    ---------
<S>                                                             <C>             <C>
Societe de Prospection et d'Inventions Techniques S.A.S.
  (SPIT) -- France(5).......................................    Subsidiary         100%
Societe d'Applications Thermiques S.A.(SAT) -- France(5)....    Subsidiary         100%
Societe Nouvelle Provence Plastiques S.A.R.L. --
  France(5).................................................    Subsidiary         100%
Svenska Kantskydd AB -- Sweden..............................    Subsidiary         100%
Thimon S.A. -- France(5)....................................    Subsidiary         100%
Triumph Financing E.U.R.L. -- France(5).....................    Subsidiary         100%
Vikadan A/S -- Denmark......................................    Subsidiary         100%
Vikadan Finans ApS -- Denmark(73)...........................    Subsidiary         100%
W.A. Deutsher Pty. Ltd -- Australia.........................    Subsidiary         100%
Wide Body(FSC) I, Inc. -- U.S. Virgin Islands(21)...........    Subsidiary         100%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 (1) Wholly owned by ITW Fastex Italia S.p.A.
 
 (2) Wholly owned by ITW Holdings Pty.
 
 (3) Wholly owned by Burseryds Bruk AB
 
 (4) Ownership interest is by Lys Fusion S.p.A.
 
 (5) Wholly owned by ITW Holding France S.A.S.
 
 (6) Wholly Owned by ITW International Holdings Inc.
 
 (7) Wholly owned by CS Packaging Corporation Pte. Ltd. (Signapore)
 
 (8) Wholly owned by CS Packaging Corporation Ltd. (BVI)
 
 (9) Wholly owned by CS Packaging Investment Pte. Ltd.
 
(10) Wholly owned by ITW Investments, Inc.
 
(11) Wholly owned by Azon Pty. Limited
 
(12) Wholly owned by ITW Signode Australasia Pty. Limited
 
(13) Wholly owned by Lombard Pressings Limited
 
(14) Wholly owned by Champs Investment E.U.R.L.
 
(15) Wholly owned by Orgapack GmbH
 
(16) Wholly owned by ITW Signode Holding GmbH
 
(17) Wholly owned by ITW International Finance S.A.S.
 
(18) Wholly owned by Signode Bernpak GmbH
 
(19) Wholly owned by Hobart Brothers Company
 
(20) Ownership interest is by Elettro GiBi S.p.A.
 
(21) Wholly owned by ITW Leasing & Investments Inc.
 
(22) Wholly owned by Elettro GiBi S.p.A.
 
(23) Wholly owned by ITW Industrie G.m.b.H.
 
(24) Wholly owned by ITW (Deutschland) GmbH
 
(25) 99.9% owned by ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH; .1% owned by ITW Automotive
     Products GmbH
 
(26) Wholly owned by ITW Nederland B.V.
 
(27) 99.9% owned by ITW Canada Holdings Company; .1% owned by ITW Canada
     Management Inc.
 
(28) Wholly owned by ITW Mapri Industria e Comercio Ltda.
 
(29) 94% owned by ITW International Holdings Inc.; 6% owned by Illinois Tool
     Works Inc.
 
(30) 99.9% owned by Illinois Tool Works Inc.; .1% owned by ITW Limited
 
(31) 53% owned by ITW Holding France S.A.S.; 47% owned by Societe de Prospection
     et d'Inventions
 
(32) Techniques S.A.S. 99% owned by ITW Tech Co. Inc.; 1% owned by Illinois Tool
     Works Inc.
<PAGE>   6
 
(33) 99% owned by ITW Leasing & Investments Inc.; 1% owned by Illinois Tool
     Works Inc.
 
(34) 99% owned by Illinois Tool Works Inc.; 1% owned by ITW Domestic Holdings
     Inc.
 
(35) 50% owned by Azon Pty. Limited; 50% owned by ITW International Holdings
     Inc.
 
(36) 90% owned by ITW International Holdings Inc.; 10% owned by ITW Leasing &
     Investments Inc.
 
(37) 99% owned by Illinois Tool Works Inc.; 1% owned by W.A. Deutsher Pty. Ltd.
 
(38) Wholly owned by Ransburg Industrial Finishing K.K.
 
(39) 1,000 common shares owned by ITW Investments, Inc.; 150,000 Preferred 6%
     Non-Voting shares
 
(40) owned by Illinois Tool Works Inc. Ownership interest is by ITW Leasing &
     Investments Inc.
 
(41) 99.9% owned by ITW Ireland Holdings; .1% owned by ITW Cayman
 
(42) 99.9% owned by ITW International Holdings Inc.; .1% owned by ITW Cayman
 
(43) Wholly owned by ITW Limited
 
(44) Wholly owned by ITW Holdings U.K.
 
(45) 96.39% owned by Illinois Tool Works Inc.; .3% owned by ITW do Brazil
     Industrial e Comercial Ltda.
 
(46) Wholly owned by Meritex Plastic Industries, Inc.
 
(47) 99% owned by ITW Specialty Packaging L.L.C.; 1% owned by ITW Leasing &
     Investments Inc.
 
(48) Ownership interest is by: 1,000 common shares, 800 Preferred Series A 6%
     Cumulative Non-Voting shares and 800 Preferred Series B 7.3% Cumulative
     Non-Voting shares owned by ITW Leasing & Investments Inc.
 
(49) 1,000 common shares owned by Illinois Tool Works Inc.; 1,000 Preferred
     Series A 6% Cumulative Non-Voting shares owned by ITW Real Estate L.L.C.
 
(50) 1,000 common shares owned by Illinois Tool Works Inc.; 1,000 Preferred
     Series A 5% Cumulative Non-Voting shares owned by ITW Real Estate L.L.C.
 
(51) 1,000 common shares owned by Illinois Tool Works Inc.; 1,000 Preferred
     Series A 7.5% Cumulative Non-Voting shares owned by ITW Investments, Inc.
 
(52) 99% owned by ITW Mortgage Investments I, Inc.; 1% owned by Illinois Tool
     Works Inc.
 
(53) 50.65% owned by Illinois Tool Works Inc.; 43.72% owned by ITW International
     Holdings Inc.; 5.63% owned by ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha
 
(54) 76% owned by Scybele S.A.S.; 24% owned by ITW Belgium S.A.
 
(55) Wholly owned by ITW Holdings GmbH
 
(56) 90% Illinois Tool Works Inc.; 10% ITW Leasing & Investments Inc.
 
(57) Wholly owned by ITW International Finance Inc.
 
(58) 1,000 common shares owned by Illinois Tool Works Inc.; 52,850 Preferred
     Series A 7% Cumulative Non-Voting shares owned by ITW Finance II L.L.C.;
     54,000 Preferred Series B 7.1% Cumulative Non-Voting shares owned by
     Padlocker Corporation
 
(59) Wholly owned by Cofiva S.p.A.
 
(60) Wholly owned by Miller Electric Mfg. Co.
 
(61) Wholly owned by ITW Mima Films L.L.C.
 
(62) Wholly owned by ITW Specialty Packaging L.L.C.
 
(63) 73% owned by ITW Mima Films L.L.C.; 1% owned by Mima Films L.L.C.
 
(64) Wholly owned by ITW Espana S.A.
 
(65) 90% owned by Lys Fusion S.p.A.; 10% ITW Fastex Italia S.p.A.
 
(66) Wholly owned by Orgapack Holding A.G.
 
(67) 99% owned by ITW International Holdings; 1% owned by ITW Universal L.L.C.
 
(68) Wholly owned by Orgapack Finance GmbH
<PAGE>   7
 
(69) Ownership interest by Cyklop Singapore Pte. Ltd.
 
(70) Wholly owned by ITW Japan Holdings L.L.C.
 
(71) Ownership interest is by ITW China Components Inc.
 
(72) Ownership interest is by ITW Limited
 
(73) Wholly owned by Vikadan A/S

<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 22

                            Election of Directors
 
     Ten directors of the Company are to be elected to hold office until the
next annual meeting, until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or
until their earlier resignation or removal. Unless otherwise directed, proxies
will be voted at the meeting for the election of the persons listed below or, in
the event of an unforeseen contingency, for different persons as substitutes.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Board of Directors are
recommending this slate. Set forth below are the name, age, principal occupation
and other information concerning each nominee.
 
<PAGE>   2
 
MICHAEL J. BIRCK (59)
  Founder, and President and Chief Executive Officer since
  1975, of Tellabs, Inc. Tellabs designs, manufactures,
  markets and services voice and data equipment. Mr. Birck
  is a director of USF&G Corporation and Molex, Inc. He has
  been a director of the Company since 1996.

MARVIN D. BRAILSFORD (59)
  Vice President of Kaiser-Hill Company LLC (construction
  and environmental services) since 1996, founder and
  President of the Brailsford Group (acquisition consulting)
  from 1995 to 1996, and President of Metters Industries
  (information technology) from 1992 to 1995. He retired
  from the United States Army in 1992 with the rank of
  Lieutenant General after 33 years of service. He has been
  a director of the Company since 1996.

SUSAN CROWN (39)
  Vice President, Henry Crown and Company since 1984, a
  family owned and operated company with investments in
  securities, real estate and manufacturing operations. Ms.
  Crown is a director of Baxter International Inc. and
  Northern Trust Corporation and its subsidiary, The
  Northern Trust Company. She is also a trustee of The Yale
  Corporation. She has been a director of the Company since
  1994.

H. RICHARD CROWTHER (65)
  Former Vice Chairman of the Company from 1990 through
  1995. Prior to becoming Vice Chairman, Mr. Crowther was
  Executive Vice President from 1983 through 1989 and had a
  total of 36 years service with the Company before his
  retirement. He is a director of Applied Power Inc. and has
  been a director of the Company since 1995.

W. JAMES FARRELL (55)
  Chairman since 1996 and Chief Executive Officer of the
  Company since 1995. Mr. Farrell served as President from
  1994 until 1996 and as Executive Vice President from 1983
  to 1994. He has a total of 32 years service with the
  Company. Mr. Farrell is a director of Morton
  International, Inc., Premark International, Inc. and the
  Quaker Oats Company, and has been a director of the
  Company since 1995.
 
<PAGE>   3
 
L. RICHARD FLURY (50)
  Executive Vice President, Amoco Corporation (energy and
  chemicals) since 1996, formerly Senior Vice President for
  Shared Services from 1994 through 1995 and Executive Vice
  President, Amoco Chemical Co., from 1991 to 1994, with a
  total of 27 years service with Amoco. Mr. Flury is a
  director of the Illinois Coalition, North Central College
  and the Field Museum, and has been a director of the
  Company since 1995.

ROBERT C. MCCORMACK (58)
  Partner, Trident Capital LP(venture capital) since 1993;
  Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1990 to 1993; Deputy
  Under Secretary of Defense from 1987 to 1990; and Managing
  Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (investment
  banking) from 1985 to 1987. Mr. McCormack is a director of
  DeVry, Inc. and has been a director of the Company since
  1993. He was previously a director of the Company from
  1978 through 1987.

PHILLIP B. ROONEY (53)
  Vice Chairman of The ServiceMaster Company (a network of
  quality service companies). Former President of WMX
  Technologies Inc. (waste management) from 1985 until 1997.
  Mr. Rooney is a director of The ServiceMaster Company,
  Urban Shopping Centers Inc. and Stone Container
  Corporation, and a Trustee of the Van Kampen American
  Capital Open-End Funds. He has been a director of the
  Company since 1990.

HAROLD B. SMITH (64)
  Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Company since
  1982. Mr. Smith is a director of W.W. Grainger Inc. and
  Northern Trust Corporation and its subsidiary, The
  Northern Trust Company, and a trustee of The Northwestern
  Mutual Life Insurance Company. He has been a director of
  the Company since 1968.

ORMAND J. WADE (58)
  Former Vice Chairman, Ameritech Corp. (telecommunications
  products and services) from 1987 to 1993 and President and
  Chief Executive Officer, Illinois Bell Telephone Company
  from 1982 through 1986. Mr. Wade is a director of Andrew
  Corporation and Westell Inc. and has been a director of
  the Company since 1985.



<PAGE>   4
                               Security Ownership
 
     The following table sets forth information regarding ownership of the
Company's Common Stock as of December 31, 1997 by each director and nominee for
director; by each of the named Executive Officers; by directors, nominees and
Executive Officers as a group; and by other persons who, to the knowledge of the
Company, own of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Common
Stock of the Company.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            DIRECTORS'
                                               AMOUNT AND NATURE OF        PHANTOM STOCK   PERCENT OF
     NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OR GROUP        BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(1)        UNITS(2)        CLASS
     ---------------------------------        -----------------------      -------------   ----------
<S>                                           <C>                          <C>             <C>
Directors and Nominees
 (Other than Executive Officers)
  Michael J. Birck..........................              3,500(3)             2,024             *
  Marvin D. Brailsford......................              1,900(3)             2,019             *
  Susan Crown...............................              8,700(3)(4)          2,040             *
  H. Richard Crowther.......................            363,327(3)(5)(6)       2,193             *
  L. Richard Flury..........................              2,100(3)             2,040             *
  Robert C. McCormack.......................         14,519,200(3)(7)(8)       2,040           5.8
  Phillip B. Rooney.........................             24,641(3)(9)          2,040             *
  Harold B. Smith...........................         38,840,362(8)(10)            --          15.6
  Ormand J. Wade............................              4,700(3)             2,040             *
Executive Officers
  W. James Farrell..........................            320,733(6)(11)                           *
  Russell M. Flaum..........................             91,883(6)(12)                           *
  Frank S. Ptak.............................            205,690(6)                               *
  F. Ronald Seager..........................            195,538(6)(13)                           *
  David B. Speer............................             45,205(6)(14)                           *
Directors, Nominees and All Executive
  Officers as a Group (22 Persons)..........         40,445,526(6)                            16.2
Other Principal Beneficial Owners
  Edward Byron Smith, Jr. ..................         15,067,868(15)                            6.0
  The Northern Trust Company................         46,846,170(16)                           18.8
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
   * Less than 1% of Class
 
 (1) Unless otherwise noted, ownership is direct.
 
 (2) Represents units of phantom stock and dividend equivalents earned under the
     phantom stock plan for non-officer directors. Each unit is equal in value
     to one share of Common Stock. The units are not transferable and have no
     voting rights. Such units are not included in the "Percent of Class"
     column.
 
 (3) Includes 900 shares of restricted stock granted on January 2, 1998 under
     the Directors' Restricted Stock Plan.
 
<PAGE>   5
 
 (4) Includes 2,000 shares owned in a trust as to which Ms. Crown shares voting
     and investment power.
 
 (5) Includes 266,041 shares held in a revocable living trust as to which Mr.
     Crowther shares voting and investment power and 30,107 shares owned by his
     spouse, as to which Mr. Crowther disclaims beneficial ownership.
 
 (6) Includes shares covered by stock options exercisable within 60 days of
     December 31, 1997 as follows: Mr. Crowther, 27,104; Mr. Farrell, 247,992;
     Mr. Flaum, 56,600; Mr. Ptak, 132,000; Mr. Seager, 145,000; Mr. Speer,
     42,200; and directors, nominees and Executive Officers as a group, 924,746.
 
 (7) Includes 400 shares owned in a trust as to which Mr. McCormack shares
     voting and investment power with The Northern Trust Company and 14,510,380
     shares as described in Footnote 8.
 
 (8) Robert C. McCormack, Edward Byron Smith, Jr., Harold B. Smith and The
     Northern Trust Company are trustees of twelve trusts owning 14,510,380
     shares as to which they share voting and investment power.
 
 (9) Includes 2,000 shares owned by Mr. Rooney's spouse, as to which he
     disclaims beneficial ownership.
 
(10) Includes 21,443,264 shares owned in twelve trusts as to which Mr. Smith
     shares voting and investment power with The Northern Trust Company and
     others; 2,164,480 shares owned in eleven trusts as to which he shares
     voting and investment power; 14,510,380 shares as described in Footnote 8;
     and 83,012 shares owned by a charitable foundation of which he is a
     director.
 
(11) Includes 2,450 shares held by Mr. Farrell's son and 1,700 shares owned by
     his spouse, as to both of which holdings Mr. Farrell disclaims beneficial
     ownership, and 43,847 shares owned in a partnership as to which Mr. Farrell
     shares voting and investment power.
 
(12) Includes 1,473 shares allocated to Mr. Flaum's account in the Company's
     Savings and Investment Plan.
 
(13) Includes 1,976 shares owned by Mr. Seager's spouse, as to which he
     disclaims beneficial ownership.
 
(14) Includes 800 shares allocated to Mr. Speer's account in the Company's
     Savings and Investment Plan.
 
(15) Includes 32,932 shares owned in two trusts as to which Edward Byron Smith,
     Jr. has sole voting and investment power; 192,400 shares owned in a trust
     as to which The Northern Trust Company has sole voting and investment
     power; 166,666 shares owned in two trusts as to which Mr. Smith shares
     voting and investment power; and 14,510,380 shares as described in Footnote
     8. Also includes the following shares held for the benefit of Mr. Smith's
     children: 111,160 shares owned in two trusts as to which The Northern Trust
     Company has sole voting and investment power; 32,080 shares held in two
     trusts as to which Mr. Smith's spouse and sister share voting and
     investment power; and 8,800 shares owned in two trusts as to which Mr.
     Smith's sister has sole voting and investment power.
 
(16) Including its holdings as trustee described in Footnotes 7, 8, 10 and 15,
     The Northern Trust Company and its affiliates act as sole fiduciary or
     co-fiduciary of trusts and other fiduciary accounts that own an aggregate
     of 46,846,170 shares. They have sole voting power with respect to
     17,792,456 shares and share voting power with respect to 16,766,852 shares.
     They have sole investment power with respect to 3,544,639 shares and share
     investment power with respect to 38,046,475 shares. In addition, The
     Northern Trust Company holds in other accounts, but does not beneficially
     own, 18,634,203 shares, resulting in aggregate holdings by The Northern
     Trust Company of 65,479,373 shares (25.9%).
 
     Because of their holdings individually and as trustees, the holdings of
their immediate families and/or their positions with the Company, Robert C.
McCormack, Edward Byron Smith, Jr. and Harold B. Smith may be deemed to be
"controlling persons" of the Company within the meaning of

<PAGE>   6
 
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Byron L. Smith, great grandfather of
Robert C. McCormack, Edward Byron Smith, Jr. and Harold B. Smith, founded the
Company in 1912.
 
     The Company maintains normal commercial banking relationships with The
Northern Trust Company, which also acts as the trustee under the Company's
principal pension plan. The Northern Trust Company is a wholly owned subsidiary
of Northern Trust Corporation. Harold B. Smith and Susan Crown, directors of the
Company, are also directors of both Northern Trust Corporation and The Northern
Trust Company.
 
     The Northern Trust Company's address is 50 South LaSalle Street, Chicago,
IL 60675 and the address of each of the other beneficial owners of more than 5%
of the Company's Common Stock is c/o The Secretary, Illinois Tool Works Inc.,
3600 West Lake Avenue, Glenview, IL 60025.
 
                             Executive Compensation
 
     The table below summarizes the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer
and the other four most highly compensated Executive Officers.
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          ANNUAL COMPENSATION                   LONG TERM COMPENSATION
                               -----------------------------------------   ---------------------------------
                                                                                   AWARDS            PAYOUTS
                                                                           -----------------------   -------
                                                                           RESTRICTED   SECURITIES
          NAME AND                                          OTHER ANNUAL     STOCK      UNDERLYING    LTIP      ALL OTHER
          PRINCIPAL                   SALARY      BONUS     COMPENSATION     AWARDS      OPTIONS     PAYOUTS   COMPENSATION
          POSITION             YEAR   ($)(1)    ($)(1)(2)      ($)(3)        ($)(4)        (#)         ($)         ($)
          ---------            ----   -------   ---------   ------------   ----------   ----------   -------   ------------
<S>                            <C>    <C>       <C>         <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>       <C>
W. James Farrell               1997   499,900    600,000           --             --     100,000         --       48,042(5)(6)(7)
  Chairman and Chief           1996   453,754    500,000           --             --     400,000         --       40,808
  Executive Officer            1995   317,212    370,000           --             --     120,000         --       38,000
Frank S. Ptak                  1997   288,017    293,030           --             --      50,000         --       14,140(5)(6)
  Vice Chairman                1996   255,261    275,000           --             --          --         --       11,429
                               1995   219,397    219,670           --             --      60,000         --       10,252
F. Ronald Seager               1997   232,562    220,980           --             --      30,000         --       15,155(5)(6)
  Executive                    1996   218,801    204,580           --             --          --         --       12,160
  Vice President               1995   209,501    206,150           --             --      60,000         --       11,306
Russell M. Flaum               1997   214,955    218,500           --             --      30,000         --        7,552(5)(6)
  Executive                    1996   208,082    209,195           --             --          --         --        6,411
  Vice President               1995   199,452    195,000           --             --      30,000         --        6,364
David B. Speer                 1997   190,924    183,300           --             --      30,000         --        7,262(5)(6)
  Executive                    1996   179,507    159,480           --             --          --         --        5,931
  Vice President               1995   159,746    113,085           --             --      24,000         --        5,300
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Actual salary or bonus earned. Includes amounts deferred under the Company's
    1993 Executive Contributory Retirement Income Plan or Savings and Investment
    Plan or both.
 
(2) Amounts awarded under the Executive Incentive Plan are calculated on the
    base salary of record as of December 31 for the respective years and paid in
    the subsequent year.
 
(3) Perquisites and other personal benefits, securities or property in the
    aggregate do not exceed the threshold reporting level of the lesser of
    $50,000 or 10% of total salary and bonus reported for the named Executive
    Officer.
 
(4) The number of unvested restricted shares previously granted under the
    Company's Stock Incentive Plan and their value as of December 31, 1997 were:
    Mr. Farrell, 35,200 shares ($2,116,400); Mr. Ptak, 35,200 shares
    ($2,116,400); Mr. Seager, 22,000 shares ($1,322,750); and Mr. Flaum, 22,000
    shares ($1,322,750).
 
(5) Includes Company matching contributions to the 1993 Executive Contributory
    Retirement Income Plan or the Savings and Investment Plan as follows: Mr.
    Farrell, $14,997; Mr. Ptak, $8,641; Mr. Seager, $6,977; Mr. Flaum, $4,800;
    and Mr. Speer $5,728.
 
<PAGE>   7
 
(6) Includes interest credited on deferred compensation in excess of 120% of the
    Applicable Federal Long Term Rate as follows: Mr. Farrell, $6,193; Mr. Ptak,
    $5,500; Mr. Seager, $8,178; Mr. Flaum, $2,752; and Mr. Speer $1,535.
 
(7) Includes $26,852 representing imputed income on Mr. Farrell's outstanding
    home loan made by the Company in 1995. The maximum amount of the loan
    outstanding during 1997 was $420,000, which by March 1, 1998 had been
    reduced to $290,000. The imputed rate of interest on the loan is 7.34% per
    annum and the loan is repayable in annual installments through the year
    2000.
 
     The Company has a loan program for Executive Officers to assist them in
complying with the Company's stock ownership guidelines. As of February 28,
1998, Mr. Farrell had an outstanding loan of $94,193 payable December 31, 2000,
bearing interest at a rate of 5.91% per annum and secured by 3,200 shares of
Common Stock of the Company. The five-year term of the promissory note is
renewable, but the note is repayable 180 days following termination of
employment with the Company (or immediately if termination is for gross or
willful misconduct) and upon bankruptcy, insolvency or death of the employee or
breach of the terms of the note.
 
     In the event of a corporate change of control, each Executive Officer's
unvested restricted stock and stock options previously granted under the Stock
Incentive Plan would immediately become fully vested. In addition, the maximum
awards under the Executive Incentive Plan for the fiscal year then in progress,
prorated for the number of days in the fiscal year that have elapsed as of the
date of the change of control, would immediately be paid in cash.
 
                            ------------------------
 
     The table below sets forth information as to options granted during 1997 to
the Executive Officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table.
 
                             OPTION GRANTS IN 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
                                     ------------------------------------------------
                                     NUMBER OF     % OF TOTAL
                                     SECURITIES     OPTIONS
                                     UNDERLYING     GRANTED     EXERCISE                  GRANT DATE VALUE
                                      OPTIONS          TO       OR BASE                 --------------------
                                      GRANTED      EMPLOYEES     PRICE     EXPIRATION        GRANT DATE
               NAME                    (#)(1)       IN 1997      ($/SH)       DATE      PRESENT VALUE ($)(2)
               ----                  ----------    ----------   --------   ----------   --------------------
<S>                                  <C>           <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
W. James Farrell...................   100,000        8.8%        54.62      12/12/07         1,582,000
Frank S. Ptak......................    50,000        4.4%        54.62      12/12/07           791,000
F. Ronald Seager...................    30,000        2.7%        54.62      12/12/07           474,600
Russell M. Flaum...................    30,000        2.7%        54.62      12/12/07           474,600
David B. Speer.....................    30,000        2.7%        54.62      12/12/07           474,600
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) These grants become exercisable as to 25% of the shares underlying the
     options on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant, and are
     generally fully exercisable after the first anniversary in the event of
     retirement, disability or death. A restorative option right applies to
     these grants so long as the option holder is employed by the Company.
 
(2) The estimated fair value of each option granted is calculated using the
     Black-Scholes option pricing model. The assumptions used in the model are:
     risk-free interest rate (5.9%); expected stock volatility (21.7%); dividend
     yield (1.29%); and expected years until exercise (5.5).
 
<PAGE>   8
 
     The table below sets forth information as to option exercises during 1997
as well as the number and value of unexercised options as of December 31, 1997
for the Executive Officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table.
 
                      AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 1997
                        AND 1997 YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          NUMBER OF SECURITIES          VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                               SHARES                    UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED         IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                              ACQUIRED       VALUE       OPTIONS AT YEAR END(#)           AT YEAR END($)(1)
                             ON EXERCISE   REALIZED    ---------------------------   ---------------------------
           NAME                  (#)          ($)      EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE   EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE
           ----              -----------   ---------   -----------   -------------   -----------   -------------
<S>                          <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>
W. James Farrell...........    42,000      1,594,313     247,992        480,000       8,664,101     10,910,500
Frank S. Ptak..............    12,000        520,583     132,000         80,000       5,371,124      1,175,250
F. Ronald Seager...........    15,000        678,444     145,000         60,000       5,972,968      1,065,150
Russell M. Flaum...........    18,000        585,750      56,600         45,000       2,233,025        615,150
David B. Speer.............     5,000        186,563      42,200         46,000       1,620,800        684,150
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(1) Based on the closing market price ($60.125) of the Company's Common Stock on
     December 31, 1997.
 
                                RETIREMENT PLANS
 
     The Company's principal non-contributory defined benefit pension plan
covers approximately 15,000 domestic business unit employees, including
Executive Officers. Benefit amounts are based on years of service and average
monthly compensation for the five highest consecutive years out of the last ten
years of employment. The following table illustrates the maximum estimated
annual benefits to be paid upon normal retirement at age 65 to individuals in
specified compensation and years of service classifications. The table does not
reflect the limitations on those benefits contained in the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986. Supplemental payments in excess of those limitations will be made under
a Board approved plan to participants designated by the Compensation Committee
in order to maintain their retirement benefits at the levels provided under the
pension plan's formula.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     ESTIMATED ANNUAL NORMAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS(1)
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        YEARS OF SERVICE AT NORMAL RETIREMENT(2)
   COMPENSATION(3)        10         15         20         25         30         35         40
   ---------------     --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
<S>                    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
$  250,000...........  $ 41,250   $ 61,875   $ 82,500   $103,125   $123,750   $133,125   $142,500
   500,000...........    82,500    123,750    165,000    206,250    247,500    266,250    285,000
   750,000...........   123,750    185,625    247,500    309,375    371,250    399,375    427,500
 1,000,000...........   165,000    247,500    330,000    412,500    495,000    532,500    570,000
 1,250,000...........   206,250    309,375    412,500    515,625    618,750    665,625    712,500
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Amounts shown exceed actual amounts by .65% of Social Security covered
     compensation for each year of service up to 30 years.
 
(2) Years of service as of December 31, 1997 for the five most highly
     compensated Executive Officers were as follows: Mr. Farrell, 32.5 years;
     Mr. Ptak, 22.1 years; Mr. Seager, 17.6 years; Mr. Flaum, 11.0 years; and
     Mr. Speer, 19.5 years.
 
(3) Compensation includes all amounts shown under the columns "Salary" and
     "Bonus" in the Summary Compensation Table.
 
     Under the Company's 1982 Executive Contributory Retirement Income Plan,
annual benefits payable beginning at the normal retirement age of 65 for 15
years are as follows: Mr. Farrell, $113,529 and Mr. Seager, $68,266.
 

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 23
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
of our reports dated January 27, 1998 included in this Form 10-K into the
Company's previously filed registration statements on Form S-8 (File No.'s
333-22035 and 333-17473), Form S-4 (File No.'s 33-60013 and 33-302671) and Form
S-3 (File No. 33-5780).
 
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Chicago, Illinois
March 31, 1998

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 24
 
                            ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
 
                            FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
                            ------------------------
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                            ------------------------
 
     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints W. James Farrell, Harold B. Smith, and
Stewart S. Hudnut, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Company's Form
10-K Annual Report and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney
this 20th day of February 1998.
 
                                          /s/ MICHAEL J. BIRCK
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (signature)
 
                                          Michael J. Birck
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (printed name)
<PAGE>   2
 
                            ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
 
                            FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
                            ------------------------
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                            ------------------------
 
     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints W. James Farrell, Harold B. Smith, and
Stewart S. Hudnut, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Company's Form
10-K Annual Report and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney
this 20th day of February 1998.
 
                                          /s/ MARVIN D. BRAILSFORD
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (signature)
 
                                          Marvin D. Brailsford
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (printed name)
<PAGE>   3
 
                            ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
 
                            FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
                            ------------------------
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                            ------------------------
 
     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints W. James Farrell, Harold B. Smith, and
Stewart S. Hudnut, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Company's Form
10-K Annual Report and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney
this 20th day of February 1998.
 
                                          /s/ SUSAN CROWN
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (signature)
 
                                          Susan Crown
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (printed name)
<PAGE>   4
 
                            ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
 
                            FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
                            ------------------------
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                            ------------------------
 
     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints W. James Farrell, Harold B. Smith, and
Stewart S. Hudnut, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Company's Form
10-K Annual Report and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney
this 20th day of February 1998.
 
                                          /s/ H. RICHARD CROWTHER
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (signature)
 
                                          H. Richard Crowther
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (printed name)
<PAGE>   5
 
                            ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
 
                            FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
                            ------------------------
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                            ------------------------
 
     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints W. James Farrell, Harold B. Smith, and
Stewart S. Hudnut, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Company's Form
10-K Annual Report and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney
this 20th day of February 1998.
 
                                          /s/ W. JAMES FARRELL
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (signature)
 
                                          W. James Farrell
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (printed name)
<PAGE>   6
 
                            ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
 
                            FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
                            ------------------------
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                            ------------------------
 
     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints W. James Farrell, Harold B. Smith, and
Stewart S. Hudnut, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Company's Form
10-K Annual Report and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney
this 20th day of February 1998.
 
                                          /s/ L. RICHARD FLURY
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (signature)
 
                                          L. Richard Flury
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (printed name)
<PAGE>   7
 
                            ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
 
                            FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
                            ------------------------
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                            ------------------------
 
     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints W. James Farrell, Harold B. Smith, and
Stewart S. Hudnut, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Company's Form
10-K Annual Report and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney
this 20th day of February 1998.
 
                                          /s/ ROBERT C. MCCORMACK
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (signature)
 
                                          Robert C. McCormack
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (printed name)
<PAGE>   8
 
                            ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
 
                            FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
                            ------------------------
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                            ------------------------
 
     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints W. James Farrell, Harold B. Smith, and
Stewart S. Hudnut, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Company's Form
10-K Annual Report and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney
this 20th day of February 1998.
 
                                          /s/ PHILLIP B. ROONEY
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (signature)
 
                                          Phillip B. Rooney
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (printed name)
<PAGE>   9
 
                            ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
 
                            FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
                            ------------------------
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                            ------------------------
 
     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints W. James Farrell, Harold B. Smith, and
Stewart S. Hudnut, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Company's Form
10-K Annual Report and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney
this 20th day of February 1998.
 
                                          /s/ HAROLD B. SMITH
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (signature)
 
                                          Harold B. Smith
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (printed name)
<PAGE>   10
 
                            ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
 
                            FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
                            ------------------------
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                            ------------------------
 
     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints W. James Farrell, Harold B. Smith, and
Stewart S. Hudnut, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Company's Form
10-K Annual Report and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of attorney
this 20th day of February 1998.
 
                                          /s/ ORMAND J. WADE
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (signature)
 
                                          Ormand J. Wade
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (printed name)

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Statement of Income and the Statement of Financial Position and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         185,856
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  922,822
<ALLOWANCES>                                    20,800
<INVENTORY>                                    522,996
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,858,642
<PP&E>                                       2,117,391
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,233,333
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,394,756
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,157,880
<BONDS>                                        854,328
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,499
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,803,955
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,394,756
<SALES>                                      5,220,433
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             5,220,433
<CGS>                                        3,378,794
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,378,794
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                44,148
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 6,268
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,383
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                924,351
<INCOME-TAX>                                   337,400
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            586,951
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   586,951
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.33
        

</TABLE>


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