Exhibit 16 Office of the Chief Accountant Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20549 May 17, 2002 Dear Sir or Madam, We have read Item 4 included in the Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 15, 2002 of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are in agreement with the statements contained therein. Very truly yours, Arthur Andersen LLP MC Copy to: Mr. David G. Gomach Chief Financial Officer Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc.