CHICAGO, June 20, 2002 – Chicago won the commercial real estate industry’s Extreme City “Digie” (digital innovation) award for its efforts in moving commercial real estate into the 21st century. The award was presented this week at Realcomm 2002, the world’s largest annual real estate and technology conference, in Las Vegas.

Chicago received the award for its efforts in redesigning commercial space to be more in line with a digital lifestyle. Recent projects incorporating next generation wired line and mobile/wireless solutions include Dearborn Center, e-Port, Lakeside Technology Center, and UBS Tower helped the City capture this award.

“This award recognizes the critical need and commitment for a technologydriven commercial real estate industry,” said Mayor Richard M. Daley. “Our ability to provide the resources and technology required to run a world-class business will help ensure Chicago maintains its economic leadership. Through collaboration between City departments, the business community, and groups like the Mayor’s Council of Technology Advisors and World Business Chicago, I’m pleased to see that our leadership and vision are recognized throughout the industry.”

The “Digie” awards are designed to give credit to those who have worked tirelessly to transform the Commercial Real Estate Industry into a digital model. These awards are not based on monetary success or market dominance, rather on examples of vision, drive, passion, consistency and determination.

Realcomm, produced for the commercial real estate industry, and the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR), the international organization of leading commercial real estate brokers and service providers, provides commercial real estate professionals a first-hand look at how leading companies are handling technology opportunities and challenges, while learning best practices for keeping their own organizations competitive.

About World Business Chicago

World Business Chicago (WBC) is a not-for-profit economic development organization chaired by Mayor Richard M. Daley and directed by Paul O’Connor. WBC leads in marketing Chicago’s competitive advantages, coordinates business retention and attraction efforts, and seeks to enhance Chicago’s business climate by being a thought leader in economic development policy. For more information, visitwww.worldbusinesschicago.com or call (312) 553-0500.

Media Contact:

Meghan Risch

(312) 553-4658