Bomb threat prompts evacuation at Chicago hotel where some Texas Democrats are staying

Some of the Texas Democrats who left the state in protest of a redistricting bill were temporarily evacuated Wednesday from their Chicago-area hotel after a bomb threat, according to one of the representatives.

“Early this morning, a bomb threat forced us to evacuate our hotel. Thankfully, no one was harmed,” said state Rep. Ann Johnson in a statement. 

The hotel is in St. Charles, Illinois, west of Chicago. The St. Charles Police Department said first responders “conducted a thorough search and no device was found.” 

“In response to the threat, 400 people were immediately evacuated and the area was secured as bomb squad units conducted their investigation,” the department said in a statement. “Following clearance from authorities, all guests and staff have safely returned to the premises.”

The Texas House Democratic caucus confirmed that a threat had been made, as did Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. Pritzker said in a statement that “threats of violence will be investigated and those responsible will be held accountable” and that he had instructed Illinois state police to investigate.

More than 50 Texas House Democrats left the state Sunday to prevent a quorum in the state House of Representatives to move forward on a bill that would set new congressional districts. Texas Republicans had taken up a rare mid-decade redistricting effort after President Trump insisted that the state’s maps could be redrawn to give the GOP more of an edge. Texas currently has 38 representatives in Congress, with 23 Republicans and 15 Democrats. The new maps unveiled by Texas Republicans could net the GOP up to five more seats.