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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 EzBFWPimNJ8bft7yF3ONuhDVGSEMRb0vFN1pF980NmCHq8uS4pI1iYlx5t28cg0u
 CHc2gAcw4ELTqPAuGGDsZw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-08-028534.txt : 20080502
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-08-028534.hdr.sgml : 20080502
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080502163343
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-08-028534
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080501
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080502
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080502

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NICOR INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000072020
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION [4924]
		IRS NUMBER:				362855175
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1844 FERRY RD
		CITY:			NAPERVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60563
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6303059500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 3014
		CITY:			NAPERVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60566-7014

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DALESSANDRO ROCCO J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001205607

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-07297
		FILM NUMBER:		08799492

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6303059500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O NICOR GAS
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 3014
		CITY:			NAPERVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60566-7014
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd205133.xml
<DESCRIPTION>DIVIDENDS STOCK DEFERRAL PLAN
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-05-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000072020</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NICOR INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GAS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001205607</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DALESSANDRO ROCCO J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>NICOR INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1844 FERRY ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NAPERVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60563</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP - Nicor Gas Company</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-05-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>95.497</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>37.83</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>95.497</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7864.62</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">1 for 1</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Dividend equivalents received in connection with phantom stock elected in lieu of eligible cash awards with delivery deferred, pursuant to the Nicor Inc. Stock Deferral Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Antoinette M. Lambert - Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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