Bomb threat reported at St. Charles hotel hosting Texas Democrats, hundreds evacuated

Hundreds of people, including politicians, were evacuated from a hotel and conference center in St. Charles after a bomb threat Wednesday morning, police said.

St. Charles Police responded to reports of a potential bomb threat at the Q Center, located at 1405 N. 5th Ave. around 7:15 a.m., the department said in a statement.

Around 400 people were evacuated from the building and the Kane County Sheriff’s Office and St. Charles police conducted a “thorough” search and found nothing, the statement said. The scene was cleared and guests and staff returned to the property.

Texas Democrats were staying at the hotel to deny Republicans a quorum when voting on controversial redistricting.

House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Gene Wu, Mexican American Legislative Caucus Chair Rep. Ramón Romero, and Texas Legislative Black Caucus Chair Rep. Barbara Gervin Hawkins released a statement thanking Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and local authorities for their response to the threats.

“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 Democrats said in the statement.

Pritzker said he was aware of the threat in a post on X.

“Threats of violence will be investigated and those responsible will be held accountable,” he wrote.

Illinois State Police confirmed the threats and said it is working with local law enforcement and screening for public safety threats.

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, who was scheduled to appear at an event with Texas Democrats in St. Charles, didn’t respond to requests for comment. The Q Center couldn’t be reached for comment.

Anyone with information should call the St. Charles Police Department at 630-377-4435.