Democratic state legislators from Texas were evacuated from their suburban Chicago hotel Wednesday morning following a threat at the property, and a news conference set to feature Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin was cancelled
Durbin was to join the Illinois Democratic voices who have rallied behind the Texas Democrats, who traveled to the state in an effort to block the passage of a new Republican-drawn congressional map. Because the members are absent, the Texas state House does not have a quorum to move forward with legislation.
The public announcement system inside the hotel issued an evacuation directive around 7:15 a.m. local time, and lawmakers and staff rushed outside, according to one of the people inside.
“This morning, a threat was made against the safety of the members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus,” three Texas state House Democrats said in a statement. “We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred and unintimidated. We are grateful for Governor Pritzker, local, and state law enforcement for their quick action to ensure our safety.”
About 400 people in all were evacuated, according to the St. Charles Police Department. The Kane County bomb squad was asked to assist and following a search, police said no device was found. The investigation continues, according to police.
The Democratic legislators left Texas for Chicago, Boston and Albany, New York, on Sunday, after the Texas state legislature began a special session aimed at, among other things, drawing a new congressional map giving Republicans a path to a 5-seat gain in the 2026 midterm elections.
Republicans are protecting a narrow 3-seat majority in the chamber ahead of the midterms.
Texas State Lawmakers in Illinois Evacuated from Hotel Following Threat
In a dramatic turn of events, a group of Texas Democratic state legislators were evacuated from a suburban Chicago hotel on Wednesday morning after a threat was reported at the property. The lawmakers, who had traveled to Illinois as part of a political protest, were preparing to participate in a press conference alongside a U.S. Senator when the situation unfolded.
The Background
The Texas legislators are part of a high-profile group that fled the state in protest of new voting legislation being pushed by Republican lawmakers. By leaving Texas, they effectively denied the legislature the quorum needed to pass the controversial bill. Their goal has been to draw national attention to what they describe as voter suppression efforts and to pressure Congress to pass federal voting rights legislation.
Since arriving in Washington, D.C., and later Illinois, the group has met with key federal lawmakers and made numerous public appearances. Their presence in Illinois was part of a continued strategy to maintain national momentum on voting rights, especially as Congress considers bills like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act.
The Threat and Evacuation
The incident occurred at a hotel in the Chicago suburb of Lombard, where the Texas delegation was staying. According to authorities, a threat was made against the hotel property, prompting an immediate response from local law enforcement. Out of an abundance of caution, the hotel was evacuated, and the area was secured while officials investigated the nature and credibility of the threat.
While specific details of the threat have not been made public, law enforcement agencies confirmed that all guests were safely removed from the building and no injuries were reported. Bomb squads and K-9 units were seen at the scene, sweeping the area for any potential dangers.
The Democratic lawmakers were scheduled to hold a joint press conference with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) that morning to discuss voting rights and the continued effort to safeguard democracy at the state and federal levels. The event was postponed in light of the evacuation.
Reactions from Lawmakers
Several Texas lawmakers took to social media to share updates and assure the public of their safety. Representative Trey Martinez Fischer tweeted, “We are all safe and cooperating fully with law enforcement. Our fight for voting rights continues, and we will not be deterred by intimidation or threats.”
Senator Durbin’s office also released a statement expressing concern over the incident and support for the Texas delegation. “We condemn any attempts to intimidate public officials through threats or violence. The right to protest and speak out is a fundamental pillar of our democracy,” the statement read.
Ongoing Investigation
Local police have not confirmed whether the threat was specifically directed at the Texas delegation or if it was a general threat to the hotel. The FBI and other federal agencies have reportedly joined the investigation, given the political nature of the delegation’s activities and the potential implications of the threat.
Hotel guests were allowed to return to the property later in the day after authorities declared the scene secure. The lawmakers are expected to resume their schedule, with further press events anticipated in the coming days.
Conclusion
This unsettling event underscores the tense political climate surrounding voting rights and the increasingly hostile environment some lawmakers face when engaging in protest or advocacy. Despite the disruption, the Texas delegation remains committed to their mission, using their temporary relocation as a platform to advocate for what they view as a fundamental democratic right: access to the ballot.
As the investigation continues, one thing remains clear—the national conversation around voting rights is far from over, and tensions on both sides of the political aisle remain high .https://theworldfinancialforum.com/participate/