Caterpillar Inc.

Peoria-based Caterpillar Inc. is the world's largest supplier of engines and heavy machinery. In 2005, Caterpillar posted sales and revenues of $36.34 billion and employed 72,000 people in more than 200 countries. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs awarded Caterpillar $285,000 for the development of a new procedure for recycling overspray from Caterpillar vehicles. Caterpillar was ordered in a 1999 settlement with the Citizens for a Better Environment to monitor a Cat dumpsite suspected of leaking toxic waste into the Illinois River. In 2001 the company was fined after the Office of the Attorney General filed a complaint against Caterpillar for violating the Environmental Protection Act. Caterpillar managers are on the Boards of Directors for many Illinois organizations, such as the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation, the Oswego Economic Development Corporation, the Illinois United Way, the Illinois Nature Conservancy, the Knox College Board of Trustees, the Illinois Channel Advisory Board, and the Illinois Workforce Investment Board.

Caterpillar Inc. is a career patron of Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson.

From January 1, 1993 to June 30 2006, Caterpillar Inc. gave $1.244 million to candidates for Illinois statewide constitutional and legislative office, 95% of which was contributed to Republicans.

Last revised September 2006 br>