EXHIBIT 23.1
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP










The Board of Directors
First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.:

We consent to incorporation by reference in  Form 8-K of First Midwest  Bancorp,
Inc.  of  our  report dated  January  20,  1995, relating  to  the  consolidated
statements of condition of  First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.  and subsidiaries as  of
December 31, 1994 and  1993, and the related consolidated statements of  income,
changes in  stockholders' equity and cash  flows for  each of the  years in  the
three-year period ended December 31, 1994, which  report appears in the December
31, 1994, annual report on Form 10-K of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.



                              KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP



Chicago, Illinois
January 5, 1996












Member Firm of
Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler