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):
                                DECEMBER 16, 2004


                       FIRST MID-ILLINOIS BANCSHARES, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                                    DELAWARE
                 (State of Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

             0-13368                                    37-1103704
    (Commission File Number)                 (IRS Employer Identification No.)


                    1515 CHARLESTON AVENUE, MATTOON, IL 61938
           (Address Including Zip Code of Principal Executive Offices)

                                 (217) 234-7454
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)










Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

[  ] Written  communications  pursuant  to Rule 425 under the  Securities  Act
     (17CFR 230.425)

[  ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17CFR
     240.14a-12)

[  ] Pre-commencement  communications  pursuant  to Rule  14d-2(b)  under the
     Exchange Act (17CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ] Pre-commencement  communications  pursuant  to Rule  13e-4(c)  under the
     Exchange Act (17CFR 240.13e-4(c))






Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On December  14, 2004,  First  Mid-Illinois  Bancshares,  Inc.  ("the  Company")
entered into an Executive  Employment  Agreement,  effective January 1, 2005 and
continuing  for three years,  until  December 31, 2007,  with William S. Rowland
under  which Mr.  Rowland  agrees to continue  to serve as  President  and Chief
Executive  Officer of the Company (the "Rowland  Agreement").  Under the Rowland
Agreement,  Mr.  Rowland will receive an annual base salary of $214,000 and will
continue to participate in the Company's  Incentive  Compensation Plan, Deferred
Compensation  Plan,  Supplemental  Executive  Retirement  Plan,  and 1997  Stock
Incentive  Plan. The Rowland  Agreement also provides Mr. Rowland with severance
benefits  in the  event  of the  termination  of his  employment  under  certain
circumstances  and contains  certain  confidentiality  and  non-competition  and
non-solicitation provisions.

On December 14, 2004,  the Company  also entered into an  Employment  Agreement,
effective  January 1, 2005 and  continuing  for three years,  until December 31,
2007,  with Kelly A. Downs under which Ms.  Downs agrees to continue to serve as
Vice President and Manager of Human Resources (the "Downs Agreement"). Under the
Downs  Agreement,  Ms.  Downs will  receive an annual base salary of $53,300 and
will continue to participate in the Company's  Incentive  Compensation  Plan and
Deferred Compensation Plan. The Agreement also provides Ms. Downs with severance
benefits  in the  event  of the  termination  of her  employment  under  certain
circumstances  and contains  certain  confidentiality  and  non-competition  and
non-solicitation provisions.

The Rowland  Agreement  and the Downs  Agreement  are filed as Exhibit  10.1 and
Exhibit 10.2, respectively, and are incorporated by reference herein.



Item 9.01.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a)      None required
(b)      None required
(c)      Exhibits

         Exhibit  10.1  -  Employment   Agreement  between  First  Mid-Illinois
          Bancshares, Inc. and William S. Rowland effective January 1, 2005.

         Exhibit  10.2  -  Employment   Agreement  between  First  Mid-Illinois
          Bancshares, Inc. and Kelly A. Downs effective January 1, 2005.







                                    SIGNATURE

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 hereunto duly authorized.





                                     FIRST MID-ILLINOIS BANCSHARES, INC.



Date:  December 16, 2004              /s/ Michael L. Taylor
                                      Michael L. Taylor
                                      Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


























                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS



Exhibit                            Number                            Description
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.1    Employment Agreement between First Mid-Illinois  Bancshares,  Inc. and
        William S. Rowland

10.2    Employment Agreement between First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. and 
        Kelly A. Downs





















                                                                    Exhibit 10.1


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment  Agreement (the  "Agreement") is made and entered into this 14th
day of December, 2004, by and between First Mid-Illinois Bancshares,  Inc. ("the
Company"),  a  corporation  with its  principal  place of  business  located  in
Mattoon, Illinois, and William S. Rowland ("Executive").

In consideration  of the promises and mutual covenants and agreements  contained
herein, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE ONE
                          TERM AND NATURE OF AGREEMENT

1.01 Term of Agreement.  The term of this Agreement shall commence as of January
1, 2005 and shall continue for three years, until December 31, 2007. Thereafter,
unless Executive's  employment with the Company has been previously  terminated,
Executive  shall  continue his  employment  with the Company on an at will basis
and,  except as provided in Articles Five, Six and Seven,  this Agreement  shall
terminate unless extended by mutual written agreement.

1.02  Employment as President and CEO. The Company  agrees to continue to employ
Executive as its President and Chief  Executive  Officer  commencing  January 1,
2005 and  Executive  accepts  such  employment  by the  Company on the terms and
conditions  herein set forth. The duties of Executive shall be determined by the
Company's  Board of  Directors  and  Executive  shall adhere to the policies and
procedures of the Company and shall follow the  supervision and direction of the
Board in the  performance  of such  duties.  During the term of his  employment,
Executive agrees to devote his full working time,  attention and energies to the
diligent and satisfactory performance of his duties hereunder.

Executive shall not, while he is employed by the Company, engage in any activity
which would (a) interfere  with, or have an adverse  effect on, the  reputation,
goodwill or any business relationship of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
(b) result in economic  harm to the Company or any of its  subsidiaries;  or (c)
result in a breach of Section Six of the Agreement.

1.03  Service as  Chairman.  The Company  shall use its best efforts to continue
Executive's position as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company during
the term of his  employment,  to which  position he was elected  effective as of
June 1, 1999.

                                   ARTICLE TWO
                            COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

While  Executive is employed with the Company during the term of this Agreement,
the  Company  shall  provide  Executive  with  the  following  compensation  and
benefits:

2.01 Base  Salary.  The  Company  shall pay  Executive  an annual base salary of
$214,000 per fiscal year,  payable in accordance  with the  Company's  customary
payroll  practices  for  executive  employees.  The Board may  review and adjust
Executive's base salary from year to year;  provided,  however,  that during the
term of Executive's employment,  the Company shall not decrease Executive's base
salary.

2.02 Incentive Compensation Plan. Executive shall continue to participate in the
First Mid-Illinois  Bancshares,  Inc. Incentive  Compensation Plan in accordance
with the terms and  conditions  of such Plan.  Pursuant  to the Plan,  Executive
shall have an opportunity to receive  incentive  compensation of up to a maximum
of 50% of Executive's annual base salary. The incentive compensation payable for
a particular  fiscal year will be based upon the  attainment of the  performance
goals in effect under the Plan for such year and will be paid in accordance with
the terms of the Plan and at the sole discretion of the Board.

2.03 Deferred  Compensation  Plan.  Executive may continue to participate in the
First  Mid-Illinois  Bancshares,  Inc. Deferred  Compensation Plan in accordance
with the terms and conditions of such Plan as in effect from time to time.

2.04  Supplemental  Executive  Retirement  Plan.  Executive  shall  continue  to
participate in the First Mid-Illinois  Bancshares,  Inc. Supplemental  Executive
Retirement Plan,  including the  Participation  Agreement dated as of August 20,
1991, in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Plan and Participation
Agreement as in effect from time to time; provided, however, that the retirement
benefit payable under the Plan upon Executive's  retirement shall be $50,000 per
year with unreduced benefits commencing at age 63.

2.05 Stock  Option Plan.  Executive  may  continue to  participate  in the First
Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. 1997 Stock Incentive Plan.



2.06  Vacation.  Executive  shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation
each year during the term of this Agreement.

2.07 Fringe Benefits.  The Company shall provide the following additional fringe
benefits to Executive:

     (a) Use of a Company-owned  or leased vehicle for professional and personal
     use.

     (b) An amount  equal to the annual dues for a Class "H"  membership  at the
     Mattoon Golf and Country Club.

     (c) Use of a cellular  phone for  work-related  calls and calls  associated
     with Internet connection for Executive's home.

2.08 Other Benefits. Executive shall be eligible (to the extent he qualifies) to
participate in any other retirement,  health, accident and disability insurance,
or similar  employee benefit plans as may be maintained from time to time by the
Company for its other  executives  or  employees  subject to and on a consistent
basis with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plans.

2.09 Business  Expenses.  Executive  shall be entitled to  reimbursement  by the
Company for all reasonable expenses actually and necessarily  incurred by him on
its behalf in the course of his  employment  hereunder  and in  accordance  with
expense  reimbursement  plans and  policies of the Company  from time to time in
effect for executive employees.

2.10 Withholding. All salary, incentive compensation and other benefits provided
to Executive  pursuant to this  Agreement  shall be subject to  withholding  for
federal,  state or local  taxes,  amounts  withheld  under  applicable  employee
benefit plans, policies or programs,  and any other amounts that may be required
to be withheld by law,  judicial  order or otherwise or by  agreement  with,  or
consent of, Executive.

                                  ARTICLE THREE
                               DEATH OF EXECUTIVE

This Agreement shall terminate prior to the end of the term described in Section
1.01 upon  Executive's  termination  of  employment  with the Company due to his
death.  Upon  Executive's  termination  due to  death,  the  Company  shall  pay
Executive's  estate the amount of  Executive's  base  salary and his accrued but
unused  vacation  time earned  through the date of such death and any  incentive
compensation earned for the preceding fiscal year that is not yet paid as of the
date of such death.

                                  ARTICLE FOUR
                            TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

Executive's employment with the Company may be terminated by Executive or by the
Company at any time for any reason.  Upon Executive's  termination of employment
prior to the end of the term of the  Agreement,  the Company shall pay Executive
as follows:

4.01 Termination by the Company for Other than Cause. If the Company  terminates
Executive's  employment  for any reason other than Cause,  the Company shall pay
Executive the following:

     (a) An amount  equal to  Executive's  monthly  base salary in effect at the
     time of such  termination  of employment for a period of twelve (12) months
     thereafter.  Such  amount  shall  be  paid  to  Executive  periodically  in
     accordance  with the Company's  customary  payroll  practices for executive
     employees;  provided,  however,  that the Company may delay payment of such
     amount to the extent  required by law.  

     (b) The base  salary and  accrued  but unused  paid  vacation  time  earned
     through the date of termination and any incentive  compensation  earned for
     the proceeding fiscal year that is not yet paid.

     (c) Continued  coverage for executive and/or  Executive's  family under the
     Company's  health  plan  pursuant  to  Title  I,  Part  6 of  the  Employee
     Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974 ("COBRA") and for such purpose the
     date of Executive's  termination of employment shall be considered the date
     of the  "qualifying  event" as such term is  defined  by COBRA.  During the
     twelve  month  period  beginning  on the  date  of  such  termination,  the
     Executive  shall be charged  for such  coverage in the amount that he would
     have paid for such  coverage had he remained  employed by the Company,  and
     for the duration of the COBRA period,  the  Executive  shall be charged for
     such coverage in accordance with the provisions of COBRA.

For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean Executive's (i) conviction in
a court of law of (or  entering a plea of guilty or no contest  to) any crime or
offense  involving  fraud,  dishonesty or breach of trust or involving a felony;
(ii)  performance  of  any  act  which,  if  known  to the  customers,  clients,
stockholders or regulators of the Company, would materially and adversely impact
the business of the Company; (iii) act or omission that causes a regulatory body
with  jurisdiction  over the  Company  to demand,  request,  or  recommend  that
Executive be suspended  or removed from any position in which  Executive  serves
with the Company;  (iv)  substantial  nonperformance  of any of his  obligations
under this Agreement;  (v) misappropriation of or intentional material damage to
the  property or business  of the  Company or any  affiliate;  or (vi) breach of
Article Five or Six of this Agreement.

4.02 Termination  Following a Change in Control.  Notwithstanding  Section 4.01,
if,  following  a Change  in  Control  (as  defined  in the  First  Mid-Illinois
Bancshares,   Inc.  1997  Stock  Incentive  Plan),   Executive's  employment  is
terminated by the Company (or any  successor  thereto) for any reason other than
Cause,  or if Executive  terminates his employment  because of a decrease in his
then  current  base  salary or a  substantial  diminution  in his  position  and
responsibilities, the Company (or any successor thereto) shall pay Executive the
following:

     (a) Two times Executive's  annual base salary in effect at the time of such
     termination.  Such amount shall be paid periodically in accordance with the
     Company's  or  successor's   customary   payroll  practices  for  executive
     employees.

     (b) An  amount  equal to the  incentive  compensation  earned by or paid to
     Executive  for the  fiscal  year  immediately  preceding  the year in which
     Executive's  termination of employment occurs. Such amount shall be paid to
     Executive  in a lump  sum as  soon as  practicable  after  the  date of his
     termination.

     (c) The base  salary and  accrued  but unused  paid  vacation  time  earned
     through the date of termination and any incentive  compensation  earned for
     the preceding fiscal year that is not yet paid.

     (d) Continued  coverage for Executive and/or  Executive's  family under the
     Company's  health  plan  pursuant  to  Title  I,  Part  6 of  the  Employee
     Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974 ("COBRA") and for such purpose the
     date of Executive's  termination of employment shall be considered the date
     of the  "qualifying  event" as such term is  defined  by COBRA.  During the
     twelve  month  period  beginning  on the  date  of  such  termination,  the
     Executive  shall be charged  for such  coverage in the amount that he would
     have paid for such  coverage had he remained  employed by the Company,  and
     for the duration of the COBRA period,  the  Executive  shall be charged for
     such coverage in accordance with the provisions of COBRA.

Not  withstanding  the foregoing,  the Company may delay payment of the benefits
described in this Section 4.02 to the extent required by law.

4.03 Other  Termination of  Employment.  If the Company  terminates  Executive's
employment for Cause,  or if Executive  terminates his employment for any reason
other than as described in Section 4.02 above,  the Company  shall pay Executive
the base salary and accrued but unused  paid  vacation  time earned  through the
date of such termination and any incentive compensation earned for the preceding
fiscal year that is not yet paid.

                                  ARTICLE FIVE
                            CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

5.01  Non-Disclosure  of  Confidential  Information.  During his employment with
Company,  and  after  his  termination  of such  employment  with  the  Company,
Executive  shall  not,  in any form or  manner,  directly  or  indirectly,  use,
divulge, disclose or communicate to any person, entity, firm, corporation or any
other  third  party,  any  Confidential  Information,  except as required in the
performance of Executive's duties hereunder,  as required by law or as necessary
in conjunction with legal proceedings.

5.02 Definition of Confidential Information. For the purposes of this Agreement,
the term  "Confidential  Information"  shall mean any and all information either
developed by Executive  during his  employment  with the Company and used by the
Company or its  affiliates or developed by or for the Company or its  affiliates
of which Executive gained knowledge by reason of his employment with the Company
that is not readily  available in or known to the general public or the industry
in which the Company or any affiliate is or becomes engaged.  Such  Confidential
Information  shall  include,  but shall not be  limited  to,  any  technical  or
non-technical  data,  formulae,   compilations,   programs,   devices,  methods,
techniques, procedures, manuals, financial data, business plans, lists of actual
or potential  customers,  lists of employees and any  information  regarding the
Company's or any affiliate's  products,  marketing or database.  The Company and
Executive acknowledge and agree that such Confidential  Information is extremely
valuable  to the Company  and may  constitute  trade  secret  information  under
applicable  law.  In the  event  that any part of the  Confidential  Information
becomes generally known to the public through  legitimate origins (other than by
the breach of this  Agreement by Executive or by other  misappropriation  of the
Confidential  Information),  that part of the Confidential  Information shall no
longer be deemed  Confidential  Information  for the purposes of this Agreement,
but Executive  shall  continue to be bound by the terms of this  Agreement as to
all other Confidential Information.

5.03 Delivery upon Termination.  Upon termination of Executive's employment with
the Company for any reason,  Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all
correspondence,  files, manuals, letters, notes, notebooks,  reports,  programs,
plans,  proposals,   financial  documents,  and  any  other  documents  or  data
concerning the Company's or any affiliate's customers,  database, business plan,
marketing  strategies,  processes or other materials which contain  Confidential
Information, together with all other property of the Company or any affiliate in
Executive's possession, custody or control.



                                   ARTICLE SIX
                   NON-COMPETE AND NON-SOLICITATION COVENANTS

6.01 Covenant Not to Compete. During the term of this Agreement and for a period
of  two  years  following  the  later  of (i)  the  termination  of  Executive's
employment  for any  reason  or (ii) the last day of the term of the  Agreement,
Executive  shall  not,  on behalf of  himself  or on behalf of  another  person,
corporation,  partnership, trust or other entity, within any county in which the
Company or any affiliate conducts business.

     (a) Directly or indirectly own, manage,  operate,  control,  participate in
     the  ownership,  management,  operation or control of, be connected with or
     have any financial interest in, or serve as an officer, employee,  advisor,
     consultant,   agent  or  otherwise  to  any  person,   firm,   partnership,
     corporation,  trust or other  entity  which  owns or  operates  a  business
     similar to that of the Company or its affiliates.

     (b) Solicit for sale,  represent,  and/or  sell  Competing  Products to any
     person or entity who or which was the  Company's  customer or client during
     the last two years of  Executive's  employment.  "Competing  Products," for
     purposes of this  Agreement,  means  products or services which are similar
     to,  compete  with,  or can be used for the same  purposes  as  products or
     services  sold or offered for sale by the Company or any affiliate or which
     were in  development  by the Company or any  affiliate  within the last two
     years of Executive's employment.

6.02 Covenant Not to Solicit.  For a period of two years  following the later of
(i) the  termination of  Executive's  employment for any reason or (ii) the last
day of the term of this Agreement, Executive shall not:

     (a) Attempt in any manner to solicit  from any client or customer  business
     of the type  performed  by the Company or any  affiliate  or  persuade  any
     client or  customer  of the  Company or any  affiliate  to cease to do such
     business or to reduce the amount of such business  which any such client or
     customer has customarily done or contemplates doing with the Company or any
     affiliate, whether or not the relationship between the Company or affiliate
     and such client or customer was originally  established in whole or in part
     through Executive's efforts.

     (b)  Render  any  services  of the  type  rendered  by the  Company  or any
     affiliate for any client or customer of the Company.

     (c)  Solicit  or  encourage,  or assist  any other  person  to  solicit  or
     encourage,  any employees,  agents or  representatives of the Company or an
     affiliate to terminate or alter their  relationship with the Company or any
     affiliate.

     (d) Do not cause to be done,  directly  or  indirectly,  any acts which may
     impair the  relationship  between the Company or any  affiliate  with their
     respective clients, customers or employees.

                                  ARTICLE SEVEN
                                    REMEDIES

Executive  acknowledges that compliance with the provisions of Articles Five and
Six herein is  necessary  to protect  the  business,  goodwill  and  proprietary
information of the Company and that a breach of these covenants will irreparably
and  continually  damage the Company for which money damages may be  inadequate.
Consequently,  Executive agrees that, in the event that he breaches or threatens
to breach any of these  provisions,  the Company shall be entitled to both (a) a
temporary,   preliminary  or  permanent  injunction  in  order  to  prevent  the
continuation  of such  harm;  and  (b)  money  damages  insofar  as they  can be
determined.  In addition, the Company will cease payment of all compensation and
benefits  under  Articles  Three and Four  hereof.  In the event that any of the
provisions, covenants, warranties or agreements in this Agreement are held to be
in any respect an unreasonable  restriction  upon the Executive or are otherwise
invalid, for whatsoever cause, then the court so holding shall reduce, and is so
authorized to reduce,  the  territory to which it pertains  and/or the period of
time in which it  operates,  or the scope of  activity  to which it  pertains or
effect  any  other  change  to  the  extent  necessary  to  render  any  of  the
restrictions of this Agreement enforceable.

                                  ARTICLE EIGHT
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

8.01 Successors and Assignability.

     (a) No rights or  obligations  of the Company  under this  Agreement may be
     assigned or transferred  except that the Company will require any successor
     (whether  direct  or  indirect,  by  purchase,  merger,   consolidation  or
     otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
     Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same
     manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform
     it if no such succession had taken place.

     (b) No rights or  obligations  of  Executive  under this  Agreement  may be
     assigned or transferred  by Executive  other than his rights to payments or
     benefits  hereunder  which may be  transferred  only by will or the laws of
     descent and distribution.



8.02 Entire Agreement.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and may not be modified except
in writing by the parties  hereto;  provided,  however,  that any  amendment  or
modification  that the Company in its sole discretion  deems necessary to comply
with the American  Jobs Creation Act, and  regulations  promulgated  thereunder,
shall  not  require  the  consent  of  Executive  as long as such  amendment  or
modification  does not reduce the  absolute  dollar  amount of benefits  payable
hereunder.  The parties further  specifically  agree that all prior  agreements,
whether written or oral, relating to Executive's employment by the Company shall
be of no further  force or effect  from and after the date  hereof.  The parties
further  agree that the  provisions  of Section 2.04  constitute an amendment to
Executive's  Participation Agreement dated as of August 20, 1991 under the First
Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan.

8.03  Severability.  If any phrase,  clause or  provision  of this  Agreement is
deemed  invalid or  unenforceable,  such phrase,  clause or  provision  shall be
deemed severed from this Agreement,  but will not affect any other provisions of
this Agreement,  which shall otherwise  remain in full force and effect.  If any
restriction  or  limitation  in this  Agreement  is deemed  to be  unreasonable,
onerous or unduly restrictive, it shall not be stricken in its entirety and held
totally void and  unenforceable,  but shall be deemed rewritten and shall remain
effective to the maximum extent permissible within reasonable bounds.

8.04 Controlling Law and  Jurisdiction.  This Agreement shall be governed by and
interpreted  and construed  according to the laws of the State of Illinois.  The
parties  hereby consent to the  jurisdiction  of the state and federal courts in
the State of Illinois in the event that any disputes arise under this Agreement.

8.05 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) on
the date of service if served  personally  on the party to whom  notice is to be
given; (b) on the day after delivery to an overnight courier service; (c) on the
day of transmission  if sent via facsimile to the facsimile  number given below;
or (d) on the third day after mailing,  if mailed to the party to whom notice is
to be given, by first class mail,  registered or certified,  postage prepaid and
properly addressed, to the party as follows:


         If to Executive:         William S. Rowland
                                  1 Prairie Sun Lane
                                  Mattoon, IL  61938

         If to the Company:       First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc.
                                  1515 Charleston Avenue
                                  Mattoon IL 61938
                                  Facsimile: 217-258-0485
                                  Attention: Chairman of Compensation Committee

Any party may change its address  for the purpose of this  Section by giving the
other party written notice of its new address in the manner set forth above.



IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.


                                  FIRST MID-ILLINOIS BANCSHARES, INC.

                                  By: /s/ Kenneth R. Diepholz
                                  Kenneth R. Diepholz

                                  Title: Chairman, Compensation Committee



                                  EXECUTIVE:

                                  /s/ William S. Rowland
                                  William S. Rowland
12/14/04


                                                                    Exhibit 10.2


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment  Agreement (the  "Agreement") is made and entered into this 14th
day of December, 2004, by and between First Mid-Illinois Bancshares,  Inc. ("the
Company"),  a  corporation  with its  principal  place of  business  located  in
Mattoon, Illinois, and Kelly A. Downs ("Manager").

In consideration  of the promises and mutual covenants and agreements  contained
herein, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE ONE
                          TERM AND NATURE OF AGREEMENT

1.01 Term of Agreement.  The term of this Agreement shall commence as of January
1, 2005 and shall continue until December 31, 2007. Thereafter, unless Manager's
employment  with the  Company  has been  previously  terminated,  Manager  shall
continue  her  employment  with the  Company on an at will basis and,  except as
provided in Articles Five, Six and Seven,  this Agreement shall terminate unless
extended by mutual written agreement.

1.02  Employment.  The Company agrees to employ Manager and Manager accepts such
employment  by the  Company on the terms and  conditions  herein set forth.  The
duties of Manager shall be determined by the Company's Chief  Executive  Officer
and shall adhere to the policies and  procedures of the Company and shall follow
the supervision and direction of the Chief Executive  Officer or his designee in
the  performance  of such  duties.  During the term of her  employment,  Manager
agrees to devote her full working  time,  attention and energies to the diligent
and satisfactory  performance of her duties hereunder.  Manager shall not, while
she is employed by the Company, engage in any activity which would (a) interfere
with,  or have an adverse  effect on, the  reputation,  goodwill or any business
relationship of the Company or any of its  subsidiaries;  (b) result in economic
harm to the  Company  or any of its  subsidiaries;  or (c) result in a breach of
Section Six of the Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE TWO
                            COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

While  Manager is employed with the Company  during the term of this  Agreement,
the Company shall provide Manager with the following compensation and benefits:

2.01 Base  Salary.  The  Company  shall pay  Manager  an annual  base  salary of
$53,300.00 per fiscal year,  payable in accordance with the Company's  customary
payroll practices for management  employees.  The Chief Executive Officer or his
designee  may  review  and  adjust  Manager's  base  salary  from  year to year;
provided,  however,  that during the term of Manager's  employment,  the Company
shall not decrease Manager's base salary.

2.02 Incentive  Compensation  Plan. Manager shall continue to participate in the
First Mid-Illinois  Bancshares,  Inc. Incentive  Compensation Plan in accordance
with the terms and conditions of such Plan.  Pursuant to the Plan, Manager shall
have an opportunity to receive incentive  compensation of up to a maximum of 20%
of  Manager's  annual base  salary.  The  incentive  compensation  payable for a
particular  fiscal  year will be based upon the  attainment  of the  performance
goals in effect under the Plan for such year and will be paid in accordance with
the terms of the Plan and at the sole discretion of the Board.

2.03 Deferred  Compensation  Plan.  Manager may continue to  participate  in the
First  Mid-Illinois  Bancshares,  Inc. Deferred  Compensation Plan in accordance
with the terms and conditions of such Plan as in effect from time to time.

2.04 Vacation. Manager shall be entitled to three (3) of paid vacation each year
during 2005. Manager shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation during
2006 and 2007.

2.05 Other Benefits.  Manager shall be eligible (to the extent she qualifies) to
participate in any other retirement,  health, accident and disability insurance,
or similar  employee benefit plans as may be maintained from time to time by the
Company for its other management  employees subject to and on a consistent basis
with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plans.

2.06  Business  Expenses.  Manager  shall be  entitled to  reimbursement  by the
Company for all reasonable expenses actually and necessarily  incurred by her on
its behalf in the course of her  employment  hereunder  and in  accordance  with
expense  reimbursement  plans and  policies of the Company  from time to time in
effect for management employees.



2.07 Withholding. All salary, incentive compensation and other benefits provided
to Manager  pursuant  to this  Agreement  shall be subject  to  withholding  for
federal,  state or local  taxes,  amounts  withheld  under  applicable  employee
benefit plans, policies or programs,  and any other amounts that may be required
to be withheld by law,  judicial  order or otherwise or by  agreement  with,  or
consent of, Manager.

                                  ARTICLE THREE
                                DEATH OF MANAGER

This Agreement shall terminate prior to the end of the term described in Section
1.01 upon Manager's termination of employment with the Company due to her death.
Upon Manager's  termination due to death, the Company shall pay Manager's estate
the amount of Manager's  base salary plus her accrued but unused  vacation  time
earned through the date of such death and any incentive  compensation earned for
the preceding fiscal year that is not yet paid as of the date of such death.

                                  ARTICLE FOUR
                            TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

Manager's  employment  with the Company may be  terminated  by Manager or by the
Company at any time for any reason.  Upon  Manager's  termination  of employment
prior to the end of the term of the Agreement,  the Company shall pay Manager as
follows:

4.01 Termination by the Company for Other than Cause. If the Company  terminates
Manager's  employment  for any reason  other than Cause,  the Company  shall pay
Manager the following:

     (a) An amount equal to Manager's  monthly base salary in effect at the time
     of such  termination  of  employment  for a period  of twelve  (12)  months
     thereafter. Such amount shall be paid to Manager periodically in accordance
     with the Company's  customary payroll  practices for management  employees;
     provided,  however,  that that Company may delay  payment of such amount to
     the extent required by law.

     (b) The base  salary and  accrued  but unused  paid  vacation  time  earned
     through the date of termination and any incentive  compensation  earned for
     the preceding fiscal year that is not yet paid.

     (c)  Continued  coverage  for Manager  and/or  Manager's  family  under the
     Company's  health  plan  pursuant  to  Title  I,  Part  6 of  the  Employee
     Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974 ("COBRA") and for such purpose the
     date of Manager's termination of employment shall be considered the date of
     the "qualifying event" as such term is defined by COBRA.  During the period
     beginning  on the date of such  termination  and  ending  at the end of the
     period  described  in Section  4.01(a),  Manager  shall be charged for such
     coverage  in the amount that he would have paid for such  coverage  had she
     remained employed by the Company, and for the duration of the COBRA period,
     Manager  shall  be  charged  for  such  coverage  in  accordance  with  the
     provisions of COBRA.

For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean Manager's (i) conviction in a
court of law of (or  entering  a plea of guilty or no  contest  to) any crime or
offense  involving  fraud,  dishonesty or breach of trust or involving a felony;
(ii)  performance  of  any  act  which,  if  known  to the  customers,  clients,
stockholders or regulators of the Company, would materially and adversely impact
the business of the Company; (iii) act or omission that causes a regulatory body
with jurisdiction over the Company to demand, request, or recommend that Manager
be  suspended  or removed  from any  position in which  Manager  serves with the
Company;  (iv) substantial  nonperformance  of any of her obligations under this
Agreement;  (v)  misappropriation  of or  intentional  material  damage  to  the
property or business of the Company or any affiliate;  or (vi) breach of Article
Five or Six of this Agreement.

4.02 Termination  Following a Change in Control.  Notwithstanding  Section 4.01,
if,  following  a Change  in  Control,  and prior to the end of the term of this
Agreement,  Manager's  employment is terminated by the Company (or any successor
thereto)  for  any  reason  other  than  Cause,  or if  Manager  terminates  her
employment  because  of  a  decrease  in  her  then  current  base  salary  or a
substantial diminution in her position and responsibilities, the Company (or any
successor  thereto)  shall pay Manager  the  following:  

     (a) An amount equal to Manager's  monthly base salary in effect at the time
     of such  termination  for a period of twelve (12) months  thereafter.  Such
     amount  shall be paid in  accordance  with  the  Company's  or  successor's
     customary payroll practices for Manager employees.

     (b) The base  salary and  accrued  but unused  paid  vacation  time  earned
     through the date of termination and any incentive  compensation  earned for
     the preceding fiscal year that is not yet paid.


     (c)  Continued  coverage  for Manager  and/or  Manager's  family  under the
     Company's  health  plan  pursuant  to  Title  I,  Part  6 of  the  Employee
     Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974 ("COBRA") and for such purpose the
     date of Manager's termination of employment shall be considered the date of
     the "qualifying event" as such term is defined by COBRA.  During the period
     beginning  on the date of such  termination  and  ending  at the end of the
     period  described  in Section  4.02(a),  Manager  shall be charged for such
     coverage  in the amount that she would have paid for such  coverage  had he
     remained employed by the Company, and for the duration of the COBRA period,
     Manager  shall  be  charged  for  such  coverage  in  accordance  with  the
     provisions of COBRA.

For purposes of this  Agreement,  "Change in Control"  shall have the meaning as
set forth in the First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. 1997 Stock Incentive Plan.

4.03 Other  Termination of Employment.  If, prior to the end of the term of this
Agreement,  the Company terminates Manager's employment for Cause, or if Manager
terminates her employment for any reason other than as described in Section 4.02
above, the Company shall pay Manager the base salary and accrued but unused paid
vacation  time earned  through the date of such  termination  and any  incentive
compensation earned for the preceding fiscal year that is not yet paid.

                                  ARTICLE FIVE
                            CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

5.01 Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.  During her employment with the
Company, and after her termination of such employment with the Company,  Manager
shall not, in any form or manner, directly or indirectly, use, divulge, disclose
or  communicate  to any person,  entity,  firm,  corporation  or any other third
party,  any Confidential  Information,  except as required in the performance of
Manager's  duties  hereunder,  as required by law or as necessary in conjunction
with legal proceedings.

5.02 Definition of Confidential Information. For the purposes of this Agreement,
the term  "Confidential  Information"  shall mean any and all information either
developed  by Manager  during her  employment  with the  Company and used by the
Company or its  affiliates or developed by or for the Company or its  affiliates
of which Manager gained  knowledge by reason of her employment  with the Company
that is not readily  available in or known to the general public or the industry
in which the Company or any affiliate is or becomes engaged.  Such  Confidential
Information  shall  include,  but shall not be  limited  to,  any  technical  or
non-technical  data,  formulae,   compilations,   programs,   devices,  methods,
techniques, procedures, manuals, financial data, business plans, lists of actual
or potential  customers,  lists of employees and any  information  regarding the
Company's or any affiliate's  products,  marketing or database.  The Company and
Manager  acknowledge and agree that such  Confidential  Information is extremely
valuable  to the Company  and may  constitute  trade  secret  information  under
applicable  law.  In the  event  that any part of the  Confidential  Information
becomes generally known to the public through  legitimate origins (other than by
the breach of this  Agreement  by Manager  or by other  misappropriation  of the
Confidential  Information),  that part of the Confidential  Information shall no
longer be deemed  Confidential  Information  for the purposes of this Agreement,
but Manager shall  continue to be bound by the terms of this Agreement as to all
other Confidential Information.

5.03 Delivery Upon  Termination.  Upon termination of Manager's  employment with
the Company for any reason,  Manager shall  promptly  deliver to the Company all
correspondence,  files, manuals, letters, notes, notebooks,  reports,  programs,
plans,  proposals,   financial  documents,  and  any  other  documents  or  data
concerning the Company's or any affiliate's customers,  database, business plan,
marketing  strategies,  processes or other materials which contain  Confidential
Information, together with all other property of the Company or any affiliate in
Manager's possession, custody or control.

                                   ARTICLE SIX
                   NON-COMPETE AND NON-SOLICITATION COVENANTS

6.01 Covenant Not to Compete. During the term of this Agreement and for a period
of one year following the later of (i) the  termination of Manager's  employment
for any reason or (ii) the last day of the term of the Agreement,  Manager shall
not,  on  behalf  of  herself  or on  behalf  of  another  person,  corporation,
partnership,  trust or other  entity,  within the  counties of Coles,  Moultrie,
Douglas, Cumberland,  Effingham,  Champaign,  Christian, Madison, Macon, Bond or
Piatt,  Illinois,  or any other  county in which the  Company  or any  affiliate
conducts business:

     (a) Directly or indirectly own, manage,  operate,  control,  participate in
     the  ownership,  management,  operation or control of, be connected with or
     have any financial interest in, or serve as an officer, employee,  advisor,
     consultant,   agent  or  otherwise  to  any  person,   firm,   partnership,
     corporation,  trust or other  entity  which  owns or  operates  a  business
     similar to that of the Company or its affiliates.

     (b) Solicit for sale,  represent,  and/or  sell  Competing  Products to any
     person or entity who or which was the  Company's  customer or client during
     the last year of Manager's  employment.  "Competing Products," for purposes
     of this Agreement, means products or services which are similar to, compete
     with,  or can be used for the same purposes as products or services sold or
     offered  for  sale  by the  Company  or any  affiliate  or  which  were  in
     development  by the  Company  or any  affiliate  within  the  last  year of
     Manager's employment.

6.02  Covenant Not to Solicit.  For a period of one year  following the later of
(i) the termination of Manager's  employment for any reason or (ii) the last day
of the term of this Agreement, Manager shall not:

     (a) Attempt in any manner to solicit  from any client or customer  business
     of the type  performed  by the Company or any  affiliate  or  persuade  any
     client or  customer  of the  Company or any  affiliate  to cease to do such
     business or to reduce the amount of such business  which any such client or
     customer has customarily done or contemplates doing with the Company or any
     affiliate, whether or not the relationship between the Company or affiliate
     and such client or customer was originally  established in whole or in part
     through Manager's efforts.

     (b)  Render  any  services  of the  type  rendered  by the  Company  or any
     affiliate for any client or customer of the Company.

     (c)  Solicit  or  encourage,  or assist  any other  person  to  solicit  or
     encourage,  any employees,  agents or  representatives of the Company or an
     affiliate to terminate or alter their  relationship with the Company or any
     affiliate.

     (d) Do or cause to be done,  directly  or  indirectly,  any acts  which may
     impair the  relationship  between the Company or any  affiliate  with their
     respective clients, customers or employees.

                                  ARTICLE SEVEN
                                    REMEDIES

Manager  acknowledges  that  compliance with the provisions of Articles Five and
Six herein is  necessary  to protect  the  business,  goodwill  and  proprietary
information of the Company and that a breach of these covenants will irreparably
and  continually  damage the Company for which money damages may be  inadequate.
Consequently,  Manager  agrees that, in the event that she breaches or threatens
to breach any of these  provisions,  the Company shall be entitled to both (a) a
temporary,   preliminary  or  permanent  injunction  in  order  to  prevent  the
continuation  of such  harm;  and  (b)  money  damages  insofar  as they  can be
determined.  In addition, the Company will cease payment of all compensation and
benefits  under  Articles  Three and Four  hereof.  In the event that any of the
provisions, covenants, warranties or agreements in this Agreement are held to be
in any  respect  an  unreasonable  restriction  upon  Manager  or are  otherwise
invalid, for whatsoever cause, then the court so holding shall reduce, and is so
authorized to reduce,  the  territory to which it pertains  and/or the period of
time in which it  operates,  or the scope of  activity  to which it  pertains or
effect  any  other  change  to  the  extent  necessary  to  render  any  of  the
restrictions of this Agreement enforceable. ARTICLE EIGHT MISCELLANEOUS

8.01 Successors and Assignability.

     (a) No rights or  obligations  of the Company  under this  Agreement may be
     assigned or transferred  except that the Company will require any successor
     (whether  direct  or  indirect,  by  purchase,  merger,   consolidation  or
     otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
     Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same
     manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform
     it if no such succession had taken place.

     (b) No rights  or  obligations  of  Manager  under  this  Agreement  may be
     assigned  or  transferred  by Manager  other than her rights to payments or
     benefits  hereunder  which may be  transferred  only by will or the laws of
     descent and distribution.

8.02 Entire Agreement.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and may not be modified except
in writing by the parties  hereto;  provided,  however,  that any  amendment  or
modification  that the Company in its sole discretion  deems necessary to comply
with the American  Jobs Creation act, and  regulations  promulgated  thereunder,
shall  not  require  the  consent  of  Manager  as  long as  such  amendment  or
modification  does not reduce the  absolute  dollar  amount of benefits  payable
hereunder.  Furthermore,  the parties hereto  specifically  agree that all prior
agreements,  whether  written or oral,  relating to Manager's  employment by the
Company shall be of no further force or effect from and after the date hereof.

8.03  Severability.  If any phrase,  clause or  provision  of this  Agreement is
deemed  invalid or  unenforceable,  such phrase,  clause or  provision  shall be
deemed severed from this Agreement,  but will not affect any other provisions of
this Agreement,  which shall otherwise  remain in full force and effect.  If any
restriction  or  limitation  in this  Agreement  is deemed  to be  unreasonable,
onerous or unduly restrictive, it shall not be stricken in its entirety and held
totally void and  unenforceable,  but shall be deemed rewritten and shall remain
effective to the maximum extent permissible within reasonable bounds.

8.04 Controlling Law and  Jurisdiction.  This Agreement shall be governed by and
interpreted  and construed  according to the laws of the State of Illinois.  The
parties  hereby consent to the  jurisdiction  of the state and federal courts in
the State of Illinois in the event that any disputes arise under this Agreement.



8.05 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) on
the date of service if served  personally  on the party to whom  notice is to be
given; (b) on the day after delivery to an overnight courier service; (c) on the
day of transmission  if sent via facsimile to the facsimile  number given below;
or (d) on the third day after mailing,  if mailed to the party to whom notice is
to be given, by first class mail,  registered or certified,  postage prepaid and
properly addressed, to the party as follows:

         If to Manager:          Kelly A. Downs
                                 1 Hance Drive
                                 Charleston, IL 61920

         If to the Company:      First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc.
                                 1515 Charleston Avenue
                                 Mattoon, Illinois 61938
                                 Facsimile: 217-258-0485

                                 Attention: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer






Any party may change its address  for the purpose of this  Section by giving the
other party written notice of its new address in the manner set forth above.

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.


                                  FIRST MID-ILLINOIS BANCSHARES, INC.


                                  By:  /s/ William S. Rowland
                                       William S. Rowland

                                  Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer



                                  MANAGER:

                                  /s/ Kelly A. Downs
                                  Kelly A. Downs

12/14/04