First Midwest Bancorp Announces Election of New Independent Director


ITASCA, IL--(Marketwire - June 28, 2007) - The Board of Directors of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: FMBI) today announced the election of John F. Chlebowski, Jr. as an independent director of the corporation. With the addition of Mr. Chlebowski, the First Midwest Bancorp Board has 13 directors, eleven of whom are independent.

"Our shareholders will be fortunate to have Mr. Chlebowski's professional experience and business judgment represented on our board," said John M. O'Meara, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Midwest Bancorp.

Mr. Chlebowski served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Lakeshore Operating Partners, LLC, a bulk liquid distribution firm, from March 2000 until his retirement in December 2004. From July 1999 until March 2000, Mr. Chlebowski was a senior executive and co-founder of Lakeshore Liquids Operating Partners, LLC, a private venture firm, and from January 1998 until July 1999, he was a private investor and consultant in bulk liquid distribution. Mr. Chlebowski served as President and Chief Executive Officer of GATX Terminals Corporation, a subsidiary of GATX Corporation, from 1994 until 1997. He also served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President Finance of GATX Corporation, a specialized finance and leasing company, from 1986 until 1994 and Vice President Finance from 1984 until 1986. Mr. Chlebowski is also a director of NRG Energy, Inc. and Laidlaw International, Inc.

First Midwest is the premier relationship-based banking franchise in the growing Chicagoland banking market. As one of the Chicago metropolitan area's largest independent bank holding companies, First Midwest provides the full range of both business and retail banking and trust and investment management services through 103 offices located in 63 communities, primarily in metropolitan Chicago. First Midwest was the only bank named by Chicago magazine as one of the 25 best places to work in Chicago.

Contact Information: CONTACT: Cynthia A. Lance Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary (630) 875-7345 www.firstmidwest.com First Midwest Bancorp One Pierce Place, Suite 1500 Itasca, Illinois 60143-9768 (630) 875-7450