Air Carrier First Officer reports critical conflict with B767 under tow after being cleared to taxi to Runway 9R ORD. Aircraft had been deiced at the gate and windshields were partially obscured with deicing fluid.

Narrative

We deiced due to residual ice on aircraft from previous approach. Windshield view was obscured by fluid on sides. We pushed off gate; contacted clearance and taxied short of A; monitoring Ground 121.75. Ground called us with the clearance 'taxi 9R; A; A15; B; J'. We both verified the route on our chart; Captain started to taxi forward; and I cleared right. We came to an abrupt stop; and when I looked left there was a B767 under tow that would have hit us just to our left. Collision was barely avoided. B767 under tow continued; followed by an RJ. Shortly thereafter the Controller again issued the same clearance. We explained that we understood; but stopped short to avoid collision. There was a long pause and then he cleared us to taxi yet again. It is clear that the Controller either forgot he gave us the first clearance; or forgot about the other aircraft. We did not hear anything else on frequency and believe the other aircraft were on the inbound frequency of 121.9 while we were on the outbound frequency of 121.75.