VAN KAMPEN FOCUS PORTFOLIOS SERIES 161, 485BPOS, EX-99.1.1, 2000-09-25

VAN KAMPEN FOCUS PORTFOLIOS SERIES 161
485BPOS, EX-99.1.1, 2000-09-25

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               Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants

   We have issued our report dated July 24, 2000 accompanying the financial
statements of Van Kampen Focus Portfolios, Series 161 as of May 31, 2000, and
for the period then ended, contained in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
Form S-6.

   We consent to the use of the aforementioned report in the Post-Effective
Amendment and to the use of our name as it appears under the caption "Auditors".

                                                              Grant Thornton LLP

September 25, 2000
Chicago, Illinois