Exhibit 24
ACE HARDWARE CORPORATION: POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each of the undersigned directors of ACE
HARDWARE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints DAVID F.
HODNIK AND RITA D. KAHLE, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents,
each with full power to act without the other, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any and all
amendments thereto, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys and agents full
power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys and agents, or either of them, or their substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has set his or her hand and seal as of this
24th day of March, 2003.
RICHARD F. BAALMANN, JR. HOWARD J. JUNG
Richard F. Baalmann, Jr. Howard J. Jung
ERIC R. BIBENS II RICHARD A. KARP
Eric R. Bibens II Richard A. Karp
JAMES T. GLENN JEFFREY M. SCHULEIN
James T. Glenn Jeffrey M. Schulein
DANIEL L. GUST RICHARD W. STINE
Daniel L. Gust Richard W. Stine
D. WILLIAM HAGAN DAVID S. ZIEGLER
D. William Hagan David S. Ziegler