NORTHBROOK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                         LAW AND REGULATION DEPARTMENT
                          3100 SANDERS ROAD, SUITE J5B
                           NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS 60062
                          Direct Number: 847-402-1790
                            Facsimile: 847-402-3781


CHARLES M. SMITH, JR.
ASSISTANT COUNSEL
                                 July 27, 2000

BY EDGAR

Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

     Re:   Northbrook Life Insurance Company
           Northbrook Variable Annuity Account II
           Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to Form N-4 Registration Statement
           File Nos. 333-93871 and 811-6116
           CIK No.  0000864922
           Rule 497 - Certification under paragraph (j) Commissioners:

Pursuant to paragraph (j) of Rule 497 under the  Securities  Act of 1933, we are
filing  a  Certification  that  the  form of the  Prospectus  and  Statement  of
Additional  Information for the variable annuity contracts offered by Northbrook
Life Insurance Company through Northbrook Variable Annuity Account II that would
have been filed under  paragraph  (c) of Rule 497 would not have  differed  from
that contained in the most recent Amendment to the Registration  Statement.  The
above referenced amended  registration  statement was filed  electronically with
the Securities and Exchange  Commission on May 1, 2000 and went effective on May
1, 2000.

Please direct and questions or comments to me at the number above.

                                        Sincerely,

                                        /s/ CHARLES M. SMITH, JR.
                                        --------------------------
                                        Charles M. Smith, Jr.