CHICAGO (WBBM Newsradio) – A suspicious envelope prompted the evacuation of the Illinois State Board of Elections’ Chicago office Thursday, hours after a separate mailing triggered a hazardous materials response at Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas’ office.
Election officials said employees evacuated the office on West Washington Street and immediately notified law enforcement. A hazardous materials inspection found no hazardous substance, according to Chicago police.
The FBI took custody of the envelope. The election office was expected to reopen normally Friday.
Earlier Thursday, a mailroom worker discovered an envelope containing white powder at Pappas’ office at 118 N. Clark St. Pappas told WBBM Newsradio that the employee placed it in a plastic bag and that firefighters identified the substance as baking powder within about 45 minutes.
Pappas said her office was not evacuated. No injuries were reported in either incident, and authorities have not determined whether the two mailings are connected.
The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating a broader series of suspicious letters sent to addresses nationwide, including offices responsible for administering elections.
The agencies said some mailings contained an unknown substance and that investigators are working with law enforcement partners to identify those responsible.
