EXHIBIT 11(a)

         [LETTERHEAD OF SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM (ILLINOIS)]

                                                               June 21, 2002



Van Kampen Tax Free Trust
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, IL  60181


    Re:      Van Kampen Tax Free Trust, on behalf of its series, the Insured
                 Tax Free Income Fund Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
                 Registration Statement on Form N-14


Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We have acted as counsel to Van Kampen Tax Free Trust (the "Trust"), a
Delaware business trust, on behalf of its series, the Insured Tax Free Income
Fund (the "Fund"), in connection with the preparation of the Trust's
Registration Statement on Form N-14 (the "Registration Statement") filed under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). The Registration Statement relates to
the registration under the 1933 Act of Class A Shares of beneficial interest,
par value $.01 per share, Class B Shares of beneficial interest, par value $.01
per share, and Class C Shares of beneficial interest, par value $.01 per share,
of the Trust to be issued by the Trust on behalf of the Fund pursuant to an
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the "Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization") between the Trust on behalf of the Fund and the Trust on behalf
of another of its series, Van Kampen Florida Insured Tax Free Income Trust
(collectively, the "Shares").

        This opinion is delivered in accordance with the requirements of Item 16
of Form N-14 under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act.

        In connection with this opinion, we have examined the originals or
copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (i) the
Certificate of Trust filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware, (ii) the
Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Trust, each as amended to
date (the "Declaration of Trust" and "By-Laws", respectively), (iii) the
Certificate of Designation establishing each of the Funds, (iv) the resolutions
adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust relating to the Agreement and Plan
of Reorganization, the authorization, and issuance of the Shares pursuant to the
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, the filing of the Registration Statement
and any amendments or supplements thereto and related matters (v) a draft of
the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and (vi) such other documents as we
have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth
herein.

        In such examination we have assumed the legal capacity of natural
persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents
submitted to us as originals, the conformity to




original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed,
photostatic, or other copies and the authenticity of the originals of such
latter documents. As to any facts material to such opinion which were not
independently established, we have relied on statements or representations of
officers and other representatives of the Trust or others.

        Members of our firm are admitted to the practice of law in the State of
Illinois, and we do not express any opinion as to the laws of any other
jurisdiction other than matters relating to the Delaware business organizational
statutes (including statutes relating to Delaware business trusts.

        Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the
issuance of Shares by the Trust pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization have been validly authorized and, assuming certificates therefor
have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered, or the
shareholders' accounts have been duly credited, and the Shares represented
thereby have been fully paid for, such Shares will be validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable.



                                                    Very truly yours,

                                                    /s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate,
                                                    Meagher & Flom (Illinois)




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