Two Texas House Democrats said they were evacuated from their hotel in Illinois following a bomb threat Wednesday morning.
In a statement, officials with the St. Charles Police Department said officers responded to a potential bomb threat at the Q Center hotel about an hour west of Chicago. About 400 people — including Texas Representatives John Bucy of Austin and Ann Johnson of Houston — were evacuated while a bomb squad secured the area.
No explosive devices were found, police confirmed.
“Threats of violence will be investigated and those responsible will be held accountable,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on social media. He also instructed the Illinois State Police to “maintain public safety.”
Bucy and Johnson of Houston were among more than 50 House Democrats who recently left Texas to prevent a Republican-backed redistricting plan from coming to a vote. Without their presence, the House lacks the quorum required to conduct business.
In a joint statement, the two lawmakers said they were safe — and undeterred.
“We will push through the threats and the noise to keep fighting for our constituents, our democracy, and our country,” the statement read.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
