EXHIBIT 5
July 24, 1996
Board of Directors
Illinois Community Bancorp, Inc.
210 E. Fayette Avenue
Effingham, Illinois 62401-3613
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8;
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Illinois Community Bancorp, Inc.
Management Recognition Plan and
1996 Stock Option and Incentive Plan
Dear Board Members:
We have acted as special counsel to Illinois Community Bancorp, Inc., an
Illinois Corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation of the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, relating to shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Common Stock") of the Company which may be issued pursuant to the Illinois
Community Bancorp, Inc. Management Recognition Plan and 1996 Stock Option and
Incentive Plan (together, the "Plans"), all as more fully described in the
Registration Statement. You have requested the opinion of this firm with respect
to certain legal aspects of the proposed offering.
We have examined such documents, records and matters of law as we have
deemed necessary for purposes of this opinion and based thereon, we are of the
opinion that the Common Stock when issued pursuant to and in accordance with the
terms of the Plans will be duly and validly issued, fully paid, and
nonassessable.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 and to references to our firm included under
the caption "Legal Opinion" in the Prospectus which is part of the Registration
Statement.
Very truly yours,
Housley Kantarian & Bronstein, P.C.
By: /s/ Howard S. Parris
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Howard S. Parris