EXHIBIT 23.1

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the Joint
Proxy Statement that is made a part of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement (Form S-4 Registration No. 33-47381) and related Prospectus of First
Midwest Bancorp, Inc. for the registration of 9,719,657 shares of its common
stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated January
20, 1998, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of First Midwest
Bancorp, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
December 31, 1997, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                       /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP




Chicago, Illinois
April 16, 1998