E5-1531. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the Chicago Stock Exchange, Incorporated Relating to Participant Fees and Credits.

March 30, 2005.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”),^[1] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[2] notice is hereby given that on March 16, 2005, the Chicago Stock Exchange, Incorporated (“CHX” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the CHX. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The Exchange proposes to amend its schedule of Participant Fees and Credits (the “Fee Schedule”) to confirm that late fees will be assessed on a participant's bill ten (10) days from the date on which payment of the bill is due. The text of the proposed rule change is available on CHX's Web site (http://www.chx.com), the CHX's Office of the Secretary, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

In its filing with the Commission, the CHX included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule changes and discussed any comments it received regarding the proposal. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The CHX has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose

The Exchange bills its participants monthly for fees and other assessments due to the Exchange. These bills typically are distributed to participants on the tenth day of the month following the month in which the fees were incurred and, by their terms, are due by the end of the month.^[3] Under the Exchange's Fee Schedule, the Exchange assesses a late fee on the outstanding balance of any unpaid participant bills. The current version of the Fee Schedule, however, allows the Exchange to assess this late fee only when a bill has remained unpaid 60 days from the date on which the fees were due.^[4]

Through this proposal, the Exchange seeks to amend the Fee Schedule to permit an earlier assessment of the late fee.^[5] The Exchange believes that this change will encourage its participants to pay their bills on time by assessing a reasonable late fee in those instances in which a participant does not do so.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act ^[6] in that it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among its members.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of Burden on Competition

The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any inappropriate burden on competition.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others

No written comments were either solicited or received.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action

The foregoing rule change establishes or changes a due, fee or other charge imposed by the Exchange and therefore has become effective pursuant to Section 19(B)(3)(A) of the Act ^[7] and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.^[8] At any time within 60 days of the filing of such rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purpose of the Act.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposal is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

• Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/​rules/​sro.shtml); or
• Send an e-mail to [e-mail]. Please include File No. SR-CHX-2005-07 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

• Send paper comments in triplicate to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549-0609.

All submissions should refer to File No. SR-CHX-2005-07. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/​rules/​sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549. Copies of the filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the CHX. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-CHX-2005-07 and should be submitted on or before April 26, 2005.

For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.^[9]

Margaret H. McFarland,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  For example, the participant bills relating to the month of March are distributed on or about April 10 and are due on April 30.

4.  Using the same example as above, the Exchange currently cannot assess a late fee unless a participant's March bill (due April 30) remains unpaid on June 30.

5.  Under the proposal, the Exchange could assess a late fee if a participant has not paid its March bill (due April 30) by May 10.

6.  15 U.S.C. 78(f)(b)(4).

7.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

8.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).

9.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).