October 10, 2018

Van A. Dukeman
President and Chief Executive Officer
First Busey Corporation
100 W. University Ave.
Champaign, IL 61820

       Re: First Busey Corporation
           Registration Statement on Form S-4
           Filed October 5, 2018
           File No. 333-227705

Dear Mr. Dukeman:

       This is to advise you that we have not reviewed and will not review your
registration
statement.

        Please refer to Rules 460 and 461 regarding requests for acceleration.
We remind you
that the company and its management are responsible for the accuracy and
adequacy of their
disclosures, notwithstanding any review, comments, action or absence of action
by the staff.

       Please contact David Gessert at 202-551-2326 with any questions.



                                                            Sincerely,

                                                            Division of
Corporation Finance
                                                            Office of Financial
Services