8-K

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) February 21, 2001 First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation)	0-10967 (Commission File Number)		36-3161078 (IRS Employer Identification No.)
300 Park Boulevard, Suite 405, Itasca, Illinois (Address of principal executive offices)		60143 (Zip Code)
(630) 875-7450 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) N/A (Former name and address, if changed since last report)

FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC.
FORM 8-K
February 21, 2001

Item 5. Other Events

On February 21, 2001, First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. issued a press release announcing the declaration of a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $0.20 per share. This press release, dated February 21, 2001, is attached as Exhibit 99 to this report.

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
	(a) and (b) not applicable
	(c) Exhibit Index:
	99	Press Release issued by First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. dated February 21, 2001.
The following Items are not applicable for this Form 8-K:
	Item 1.		Changes in Control of Registrant
	Item 2.		Acquisition or Disposition of Assets
	Item 3.		Bankruptcy or Receivership
	Item 4.		Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant
	Item 6.		Resignations of Registrant's Directors
	Item 8.		Change in Fiscal Year
	Item 9.		Sales of Equity Securities Pursuant to Regulation S

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: February 21, 2001	First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. (Registrant) /s/ DONALD J. SWISTOWICZ Donald J. Swistowicz Executive Vice President

EX-99

			Exhibit 99
			News Release
			First Midwest Bancorp 300 Park Blvd., Suite 405 P.O. Box 459 Itasca, Illinois 60143-9768 (630) 875-7450
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT:		Donald J. Swistowicz (630) 875-7460 www.firstmidwest.com
		TRADED: SYMBOL:	Nasdaq FMBI
FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP DECLARES FIRST QUARTER DIVIDEND

ITASCA, IL, FEBRUARY 21, 2001 - First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FMBI) today announced the declaration of a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $0.20 per share, 11% higher than 2000's first quarter dividend. The new quarterly cash dividend will be payable April 24, 2001 to shareholders of record on March 30, 2001.

With assets of $5.9 billion, First Midwest is the largest independent and seventh overall largest banking company in the highly attractive suburban Chicago banking market. As the premier independent suburban Chicago banking company, First Midwest provides commercial banking, trust, investment management, mortgage and related financial services to a broad array of customers through 73 offices located in more than 40 communities.

# # #