March 27, 2017
VIA EDGAR
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20549
| Re: | First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. |
| (File No. 333-216855) | |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to the provisions of Rule 461 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, hereby requests that the Commission grant acceleration of the effectiveness of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333‑216855) so that it may become effective at 4:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time on March 29, 2017, or as soon as practicable thereafter.
Very truly yours,
FIRST MID-ILLINOIS BANCSHARES, INC.
Name: Joseph R. Dively
Title: Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer