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 they 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 22nd day of March, 2001.

       JENNIFER C.  ANDERSON                 D. WILLIAM HAGAN
       ---------------------                 ----------------
       Jennifer C.  Anderson                 D. William Hagan


       RICHARD F. BAALMANN, JR.              RICHARD A. KARP
       ------------------------              ---------------
       Richard F. Baalmann, Jr.              Richard A. Karp


       ERIC R. BIBENS II                     HOWARD J. JUNG
       -----------------                     --------------
       Eric R. Bibens II                     Howard J. Jung


       LAWRENCE R. BOWMAN                    MARIO R. NATHUSIAS
       ------------------                    ------------------
       Lawrence R. Bowman                    Mario R. Nathusius


       JAMES T. GLENN                        RICHARD W. STINE
       --------------                        ----------------
       James T. Glenn                        Richard W. Stine

       DANIEL L. GUST
       --------------
       Daniel L. Gust