Exhibit 24(c)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

                         ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

        Know all men by these presents that the undersigned director of Allstate
Life Insurance Company constitutes and appoints Thomas Casey J. Sylla, and
Michael J. Velotta, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act
alone) as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of
substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any registration
statements of Allstate Life and Insurance Company and any amendments thereto,
and to file the same, with exhibits and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority as
may be necessary or desirable, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of
said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


March 15, 2004

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Kevin R. Slawin
Director and Senior Vice President