State of Illinois Employees' Deferred Compensation Plan, Springfield...

State of Illinois Employees' Deferred Compensation Plan, Springfield will likely select a one-time consultant on Dec. 17 to assist the $2.1 billion plan in its search for three new investment options, said William Atwood, executive director of the Illinois State Board of Investment, the plan's fiduciary. Mr. Atwood said he expects a contract to be finalized by the end of the year, and then a search would begin early in 2005 for options in active domestic large-cap growth equity and active domestic core equity and a lifestyle fund. Mr. Atwood said plan officials may search for the three investment options at the same time or separately. It has not been decided if the plan will be replacing any of its 12 investment options.