Construction Begins on New Marriott Hotel at Prairie Stone in Hoffman Estates

  What:   A groundbreaking ceremony marking the beginning of construction on
          the new full-service Marriott hotel at Prairie Stone in Hoffman
          Estates.

          With an anticipated opening in Fall 2002, the new Marriott hotel
          will be 202,146 square feet and will sit on 15.15 acres of land at
          Prairie Stone on lot 22 at 4800 Columbine Boulevard at Old Sutton
          Road.  The hotel, designed by Winegardner & Hammons, will feature
          295 rooms, a 48,000 square foot conference/banquet facility,
          meeting rooms, a ballroom, indoor swimming pool, exercise
          facilities, and a three-meal-per-day restaurant and lounge that
          seat 160 people.  The new Marriott will employ about 125 people.

  Who:    Mayor of Hoffman Estates William D. McLeod and Penny Cate, vice
          president of Government Affairs at Sears, will be on hand for the
          official groundbreaking of the Marriott Hotel.

  When:   Thursday, May 17, 2001; 4:30 p.m. CDT

  Where:  4800 Columbine Boulevard at Old Sutton Road
          Prairie Stone in Hoffman Estates

  Why:    The new Marriott hotel will be an exciting enhancement for Prairie
          Stone, the Village of Hoffman Estates, local businesses and their
          visitors.  In addition to creating 125 new jobs, the Marriott
          hotel will enable local companies to host events and provide more
          convenience and ease to people who are visiting and doing business
          in the area.

          Prairie Stone is home to more than 10 businesses with more than
          three million square feet of development.

  CONTACT:  For more information contact Paula Davis of Sears, 847-286-4965.

PRNewswire -- May 16/

SOURCE: Sears

Website: http://www.sears.com/