EXHIBIT 23.1 KPMG Peat Marwick LLP The Board of Directors First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.: We consent to the use of our reports incorporated herein by reference and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus. KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP Chicago, Illinois September 8, 1995 Member Firm of Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler