UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

 
FORM 8-K

 
CURRENT REPORT
 
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  August 1, 2005
 
MORNINGSTAR, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Illinois  	 	( 000-51280	 	36-3297908	
State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)	 	(Commission
File Number)	 	(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)	
 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	225 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois
 (Address of principal executive offices)	 	
60606
 (Zip Code)	
 	 	 	 	 	
(312) 696-6000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)	
 	 	 	 	 	
N/A	
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)	

 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
 
o             Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
o             Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o             Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
o             Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 
Item 8.01.       Other Events.
 
On August 1, 2005, Morningstar, Inc. announced that it had appointed Richard E. Robbins as its general counsel and corporate secretary.  A copy of Morningstar’s press release announcing the appointment of Mr. Robbins is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
 
Item 9.01.       Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)	Exhibits:	

Exhibit No.	 	Description	
 	 	 	
99.1	 	Press Release dated August 1, 2005.	
 
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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 	MORNINGSTAR, INC.	

Date: August 1, 2005	By:	/s/ Martha Dustin Boudos	 	
 	Name:	Martha Dustin Boudos	
 	Title:	Chief Financial Officer	
 
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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	 	Description	
 	 	 	
99.1	 	Press Release dated August 1, 2005.	
 
4

 
Exhibit 99.1

	 	News Release

 225 West Wacker Drive
Chicago
Illinois 60606	

 Telephone : +1 312 696-6000
Facsimile:   +1 312 696-6009	
 
Media Contact:
 
Margaret Kirch Cohen, 312-696-6383, margaret.cohen@morningstar.com
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Morningstar Appoints Richard E. Robbins as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
 
CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2005 – Morningstar, Inc. today announced that Richard E. Robbins, 43, has joined the company as general counsel and corporate secretary. He will be responsible for heading Morningstar’s legal department, reporting to Joe Mansueto, chairman and chief executive officer.
 
“We’re pleased to have someone of Rich’s caliber join Morningstar,” Mansueto said. “Rich brings 14 years of corporate and securities law experience to Morningstar, including extensive knowledge in the areas of corporate governance and disclosure, equity-based employee benefit plans, and mergers and acquisitions.”
 
Robbins joins the company from Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP, where he was a partner since 1999. Previously, he was an associate in the firm’s corporate and securities practice. Before attending law school, Robbins worked for Digital Equipment Corporation as a senior software engineer.
 
Robbins holds a juris doctor degree with honors from the University of Chicago Law School, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering and computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a member of the American, Illinois and Chicago Bar Associations, and serves on the board of directors of IT Resource Center, a nonprofit corporation.
 
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About Morningstar, Inc.
 
Morningstar, Inc. is a leading provider of investment research in the United States and in major international markets. The company offers an extensive line of Internet, software, and print-based products and services for individuals, financial advisors, and institutional clients. Morningstar provides data on more than 125,000 investment offerings, including stocks, mutual funds, and similar vehicles. The company has operations in 16 countries.
 
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©2005 Morningstar Inc.  All rights reserved.
 
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