Texas State Reps. Ann Johnson and John Bucy said they evacuated early Wednesday morning.
CHICAGO — A bomb threat was reported Wednesday morning at an Illinois hotel where Texas House Democrats are staying.
According to police in St. Charles, Illinois, at approximately 7:15 a.m., officers responded to a report of a potential bomb threat at the hotel and convention complex. Police, fire crews and the Kane County Sheriff’s Office’s bomb squad conducted a thorough search, but no device was found.
Four hundred people were evacuated from the hotel, and the area was secured as the bomb squad conducted its investigation. Following the all-clear, guests and staff were allowed to return to the premises.
State Reps. Ann Johnson (D-Houston) and John Bucy (D-Austin) said they were among those evacuated.
“Unfortunately, this is what happens when Republican leaders, like our corrupt Attorney General, call on their supporters to ‘hunt us down,” Bucy said in a press release.
He added that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Gov. Greg Abbott and other House representatives have threatened the Democrats who left the state on Sunday, effectively breaking quorum.
Johnson echoed a similar sentiment, saying in a release that, “This is the kind of danger that comes from reckless rhetoric.”
Both Bucy and Johnson said the Democrats are not phased by the threat.
“We won’t be intimidated,” Johnson said. “Texas Democrats are united, resolute, and more committed than ever to standing up for the people we represent.”
State Rep. Gene Wu (D-Houston), the chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus and target of a new lawsuit from the governor, also shared a statement about the reported threat, along with State Reps. Ramón Romero (D-Fort Worth) and Barbara Gervin Hawkins (D-San Antonio).
“This morning, a threat was made against the safety of the members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred and unintimidated,” the lawmakers said. “We are grateful for Governor Pritzker, local, and state law enforcement for their quick action to ensure our safety.”
On Sunday, more than 50 Democrats flew from Austin to other states ahead of a vote scheduled on Monday regarding congressional redistricting. The House has been unable to conduct business this week because the needed number of members have not been present.
St. Charles police said they are continuing to work with the agencies involved as the investigation into the reported threat continues. Illinois State Patrol also said they responded to the potential threat. Anyone with information is urged to contact the St. Charles Police Department at 630-377-4435.