-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 zF+SeduHkqSzTj+QZl40Hw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-09-000561.txt : 20090106
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-09-000561.hdr.sgml : 20090106
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090106131233
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-09-000561
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090106
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090106

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FIRST MID ILLINOIS BANCSHARES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000700565
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				371103704
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1515 CHARLESTON AVE
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 499
		CITY:			MATTOON
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			61938
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2172347454

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1515 CHARLESTON AVENUE
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 499
		CITY:			MATTOON
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			61938

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	FIRST-MID ILLINOIS BANCSHARES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DOWNS KELLY A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001233427

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-13368
		FILM NUMBER:		09509166

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1515 CHARLESTON AVE
		CITY:			MATTOON
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			61938
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2172580487

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 HANCE DRIVE
		CITY:			CHARLESTON
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			61920
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 5
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000700565</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIRST MID ILLINOIS BANCSHARES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FMBH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001233427</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DOWNS KELLY A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2000 MEADOWLAKE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHARLESTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>61920</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP, Director, Human Resources</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-24</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3.011</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.03</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>899.311</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 401K</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michael L. Taylor, pursuant to a power of attorney filed 05/29/03.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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