EXHIBIT 23.1



            CONSENT OF REGISTERED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM



We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-4) and related Prospectus of Wintrust Financial
Corporation for the registration of 583,000 shares of its common stock and to
the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated February 13, 2004,
with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Wintrust Financial
Corporation included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
December 31, 2003, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                             /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

August 18, 2004
Chicago, Illinois