Texas State Lawmakers In Illinois Evacuated From Their Hotel After Threat

Democratic authorities legislators from Texas were evacuated from their suburban Chicago edifice Wednesday greeting pursuing a threat astatine nan property, and a news convention group to characteristic Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin was cancelled

Durbin was to subordinate nan Illinois Democratic voices who person rallied down nan Texas Democrats, who traveled to nan authorities successful an effort to artifact nan transition of a caller Republican-drawn legislature map. Because nan members are absent, nan Texas authorities House does not person a quorum to move guardant pinch legislation.

The nationalist announcement strategy wrong nan edifice issued an removal directive astir 7:15 a.m. section time, and lawmakers and unit rushed outside, according to 1 of nan group inside.

“This morning, a threat was made against nan information of nan members of nan Texas House Democratic Caucus,” 3 Texas authorities House Democrats said successful a statement. “We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred and unintimidated. We are grateful for Governor Pritzker, local, and authorities rule enforcement for their speedy action to guarantee our safety.”

About 400 group successful each were evacuated, according to nan St. Charles Police Department. The Kane County explosive squad was asked to assistance and pursuing a search, constabulary said nary instrumentality was found. The investigation continues, according to police.

The Democratic legislators near Texas for Chicago, Boston and Albany, New York, connected Sunday, aft nan Texas authorities legislature began a typical convention aimed at, among different things, drafting a caller legislature representation giving Republicans a way to a 5-seat summation successful nan 2026 midterm elections.

Republicans are protecting a constrictive 3-seat mostly successful nan enclosure up of nan midterms.