Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants
We have issued our report dated April 28, 2000 accompanying the financial
statements of Insured Municipals Income Trust, Series 161 as of February 29,
2000, and for the period then ended, contained in this Post-Effective Amendment
No. 15 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
Chicago, Illinois
June 26, 2000
