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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

   
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement and related Prospectus of
Illinois Superconductor Corporation for the registration of 11,592,000 shares
of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report
dated February 27, 1998, except for paragraph 2 of Note 14, as to which the
date is May 15, 1998, with respect to the financial statements and schedule of
Illinois Superconductor Corporation included in its Annual Report (Form
10-K/A) for the year ended December 31, 1997, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
    

                                                      /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                                      -----------------------
                                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
   
Chicago, Illinois
July 31, 1998