INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST SERIES 279, 485BPOS, EX-99.1.1, 2000-09-25

INSURED MUNICIPALS INCOME TRUST SERIES 279
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 14, 2000 accompanying the financial
statements of Insured Municipals Income Trust, Series 279 as of May 31, 2000,
and for the period then ended, contained in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 9
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
September 25, 2000