High Tech Takes Root on the High Plains

Grand Opening of Allstate’s New Eco-Friendly Data Center in Rochelle, Ill.

NORTHBROOK, Ill., May 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Allstate Insurance Company, the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, today opens one of America’s most energy-efficient and environmentally conscious data centers in Rochelle, Ill.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090529/CG24267)

The 65,000-square-foot facility is a secure, world-class hosting center to support Allstate’s information technology needs – enhancing the customer experience. This new center is targeted to meet LEED(R) (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

“As part of Allstate’s promise to be there for customers in their time of need, we’re dedicated to ensuring high availability of critical technology systems,” said Catherine Brune, senior vice president and chief information officer of Allstate. “Our new data center introduces sophisticated building design and technologies that reflect our company’s dedication to environmental responsibility.”

The new facility incorporates eco-friendly building design and energy efficiencies. Large windows to increase natural light, a light-colored roof that reflects sunlight and reduces cooling costs, recycled building components with low toxicity and the latest in energy-efficient computer servers are just some of the green strategies being used at this new facility.

“Data centers, by their very nature, tend to be power-hungry, but our team has worked diligently to create a fundamentally different model that will allow us to significantly reduce our projected energy consumption,” said Brune.

Rochelle, Ill. is an ideal setting for Allstate’s new data center, as it’s one of the few cities in the U.S. to own and operate its own high capacity, local fiber-optics network. The city also provides its own utilities, including affordable and reliable electricity. Construction on the Rochelle, Ill. Data Center began in January, 2008 – the first facility to break ground in the city’s new 160-acre Business and Technology Park.

Allstate’s new facility has enough data storage to hold 15 Libraries of Congress – which is considerable, since the Library of Congress holds more than 30 million books. Consumers may click on www.youtube.com/allstate to watch a video tour of the new data center.

About the Allstate Corporation

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate(R)” slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,900 exclusive agencies and Personal Financial Representatives in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate(R). Encompass(R) Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement products designed for individual, institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers. Securities offered through Allstate Financial Services, LLC (LSA Securities in LA and PA). Registered Broker-Dealer. Member FINRA, SIPC. Main Office: 2920 South 84th Street, Lincoln, NE 68506. (877) 525-5727.

SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company