SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
_________________________
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): May 10, 2002
_________________________
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware 1-4797 36-1258310
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation) Identification No.)
3600 West Lake Avenue, Glenview, IL 60025
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code): 847-724-7500
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Item 4. Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant
On May 10, 2002, the Board of Directors of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (the
"Company"), upon recommendation of its Audit Committee, determined to dismiss
the Company's independent auditors, Arthur Andersen LLP, and to engage the
services of Deloitte and Touche LLP as its new independent auditors.
The audit reports of Arthur Andersen LLP on the consolidated financial
statements of the Company as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2001
and 2000 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were
they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting
principles.
During the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, and
the subsequent interim period through May 10, 2002, there were no disagreements
between the Company and Arthur Andersen LLP on any matter of accounting
principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or
procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to Arthur Andersen LLP's
satisfaction, would have caused Arthur Andersen LLP to make reference to the
subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports.
None of the reportable events described under Item 304 (a)(1)(v) of Regulation
S-K occurred within the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2001 and
2000 or within the interim period through May 10, 2002.
The Company has provided Arthur Andersen LLP with a copy of the foregoing
statements. Attached as Exhibit 16 is a copy of a letter from Arthur Andersen
LLP, dated May 10, 2002, stating its agreement with such statements.
During the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 and the
subsequent interim period through May 10, 2002, the Company did not consult with
Deloitte and Touche LLP regarding any of the matters or events set forth in Item
304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits
Exhibit Number Exhibit Description
16 Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP to the
Securities and Exchange Commission,
dated May 10, 2002.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Date: May 15, 2002 By: /s/ Jon C. Kinney
-----------------------------------------
Jon C. Kinney
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit 16
May 10, 2002
Office of the Chief Accountant
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Dear Sir/Madam:
We have read the first five paragraphs of Item 4 included in the Form 8-K dated
May 10, 2002 of Illinois Tool Works Inc. to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and are in agreement with the statements contained therein.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
cc: Jon C. Kinney,
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Illinois Tool Works Inc.
