Illinois Bomb Threat Today: Live Updates on Evacuations, Police Response & Road Closures

Residents and businesses across central Illinois spent Friday night on edge after police ordered a sweeping one-mile evacuation around the BioUrja Renewables plant in Peoria. Investigators say a phoned-in Illinois bomb threat targeting the ethanol and alcohol facility triggered the unprecedented alert shortly after 7 p.m. CST. Officers, bomb-sniffing K-9 teams and the Peoria Fire Department converged on 1 Edmund Street, shutting down portions of downtown Peoria and neighboring East Peoria while they combed the sprawling complex for suspicious devices. Mayor Rita Ali urged people inside the evacuation zone to leave “out of an abundance of caution,” emphasizing that the city is treating the warning as credible until proven otherwise. Shelter and assistance. Displaced residents were directed to Manual Academy at 811 S. Griswold St., where Red Cross volunteers set up cots, water stations and phone-charging areas. Anyone needing transportation could call the city’s emergency hotline at 309-494-8700, officials said. Traffic impact. Interstate 74 exits into downtown Peoria were briefly closed, and Peoria’s CityLink buses detoured around the riverfront. East Peoria’s Levee District shopping area also emptied as squad cars blocked River Road and anchored flashing message boards warning, “BOMB THREAT—EVACUATE NOW.” What we know about the threat. Police confirmed the call referenced explosives hidden somewhere inside the BioUrja complex, a former ADM corn-processing plant that stores thousands of gallons of flammable product. Authorities have not released details about the caller, motive or device description. Surveillance footage and employee logs are being reviewed, and the FBI’s Springfield field office has joined the probe. No injuries reported. As of early Saturday, search teams had not located any explosives. “We won’t lift the order until every square foot is cleared,” Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria told reporters, adding that bomb technicians may remain on site through daylight. Why this matters statewide. The Illinois bomb threat comes amid a national spike in hoax and swatting incidents targeting schools, courthouses and industrial plants. Homeland Security warns that critical-infrastructure facilities are attractive targets because they disrupt local economies and spark widespread fear. Safety tips for Illinoisans 1. Sign up for CodeRed or local text-alert systems to receive evacuation orders instantly. 2. Keep a “go bag” with medications, ID and chargers ready. 3. If you see unattended bags near plants, rail yards or public buildings, call 911—do not touch them. 4. Follow only official city or county social-media channels; rumor-driven traffic can hamper emergency crews. What’s next. Emergency managers will announce when the evacuation lifts and roads reopen. Investigators are also tracing phone records to pinpoint the source of the bomb threat. Anyone with information can contact Peoria PD at 309-673-4521 or submit anonymous tips through CrimeStoppers. This is a developing story. Check back for verified updates as authorities work to secure the BioUrja Renewables site and let families return home safely.