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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" the
Registration Statement (File No. 333-XXXXX) and the related Prospectus of
Illinois Superconductor Corporation for the registration of 3,440,526 shares of
its common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report
dated February 25, 2000, with respect to the financial statements and schedule
of Illinois Superconductor Corporation included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K)
for the year ended December 31, 1999, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and our report, dated May 30, 2000, with respect to the financial
statements of Spectral Solutions, Inc. as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, and for
the year ended December 31, 1999 and the period from November 20, 1998 (date of
inception) to December 31, 1998 and the cumulative period from November 20, 1998
(date of inception) to December 31, 1999 included in Illinois Superconductor
Corporation's Supplement to its 1999 Proxy Statement filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934.




                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
                                                           ---------------------


Chicago, Illinois
September 6, 2000

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