<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0000700565-04-000014
<TYPE>4
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>1
<PERIOD>20031231
<FILING-DATE>20040102
<ISSUER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>FIRST MID ILLINOIS BANCSHARES INC
<CIK>0000700565
<ASSIGNED-SIC>6022
<IRS-NUMBER>371103704
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>1515 CHARLESTON AVE
<STREET2>PO BOX 499
<CITY>MATTOON
<STATE>IL
<ZIP>61938
<PHONE>2172347454
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>1515 CHARLESTON AVENUE
<STREET2>PO BOX 499
<CITY>MATTOON
<STATE>IL
<ZIP>61938
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</ISSUER>
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>ROWLAND WILLIAM S
<CIK>0001185508
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>4
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-13368
<FILM-NUMBER>04500338
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>1515 CHARLESTON AVE
<CITY>MATTOON
<STATE>IL
<ZIP>61938
<PHONE>2172580415
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>#1 PRAIRIE SUN LANE
<CITY>MATTOON
<STATE>IL
<ZIP>61938
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4_rowland-123103ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   07/25/03  TT    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>
   <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000700565</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIRST MID ILLINOIS BANCSHARES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>fmbh.ob</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001185508</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ROWLAND WILLIAM S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1># 1 PRAIRIE SUN LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MATTOON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>61938</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>0</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>0</isOther>
         <officerTitle>Pres &amp; Chief Executive Officer</officerTitle>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
 <nonDerivativeTable>
   <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>10895.672</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>I</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
         <natureOfOwnership>
            <value>By IRA</value>
         </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
   <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>3564.694</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>I</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
         <natureOfOwnership>
            <value>By 401K</value>
         </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
   <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>414.677</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2003-12-31</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>66.154</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>46.90</value>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>2477.446</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>I</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
         <natureOfOwnership>
            <value>By Deferred Comp</value>
         </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
 </nonDerivativeTable>
 <derivativeTable>
   <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Stock Option</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>15.67</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
         <value>1998-10-21</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2007-10-21</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Common Stock</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>6000</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>6000</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
   <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Stock Option</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>22.49</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
         <value>1999-10-01</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2008-01-12</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Common Stock</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>3000</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>9000</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
   <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Stock Option</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>23.33</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
         <value>2000-01-01</value>
            <footnoteId id="F3"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2008-12-22</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Common Stock</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>3000</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>12000</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
   <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Stock Option</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>23.00</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
         <value>2001-01-01</value>
            <footnoteId id="F4"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2009-12-13</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Common Stock</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>8250</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>20250</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
   <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Stock Option</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>18.83</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
         <value>2002-01-01</value>
            <footnoteId id="F5"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2010-12-18</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Common Stock</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>3750</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>24000</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
   <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Stock Option</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>24.00</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
         <value>2003-01-01</value>
            <footnoteId id="F6"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2011-12-18</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Common Stock</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>9000</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>33000</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
   <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Stock Option</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>27.25</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
         <value>2004-01-01</value>
            <footnoteId id="F7"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2012-12-16</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Common Stock</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>8000</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>41000</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
   <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Stock Option</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>46.50</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
         <value>2005-01-01</value>
            <footnoteId id="F8"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2013-12-16</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Common Stock</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>8000</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>49000</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
 </derivativeTable>
   <footnotes>
      <footnote id="F1"> Options become exerciseable in 4 equal annual installments beginning on 10/21/1998.</footnote>

      <footnote id="F2"> Options become exerciseable in 4 equal annual installments beginning on 01/01/1999.</footnote>

      <footnote id="F3"> Options become exerciseable in 4 equal annual installments beginning on 01/01/2000.</footnote>

      <footnote id="F4"> Options become exerciseable in 4 equal annual installments beginning on 01/01/2001.</footnote>

      <footnote id="F5"> Options become exerciseable in 4 equal annual installments beginning on 01/01/2002.</footnote>

      <footnote id="F6"> Options become exerciseable in 4 equal annual installments beginning on 01/01/2003.</footnote>

      <footnote id="F7"> Options become exerciseable in 4 equal annual installments beginning on 01/01/2004.</footnote>

      <footnote id="F8"> Options become exerciseable in 4 equal annual installments beginning on 01/01/2005.</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>William S. Rowland</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2004-01-02</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
