Illinois Bomb Threat

Mayor Rita Ali was blunt about the bomb threat that came earlier today at a South Peoria ethanol plant.

It is real. This is a real thing,” she said. “We know that it is a real threat. We know it is a bomb.”

Earlier Friday, a suspicious package at the BioUrja Renewables plant on Southwest Washington Street in South Peoria prompted the evacuation order.

Bridges over the river, she said, have been shut down. The Illinois River, she said, has also been shut down.

Ali urged people to leave the 1-mile evacuation zone, saying the top priority is to ensure all Peoria residents are safe.

If people don’t have a way to get out of the area, the mayor urged people to call 911 or the local chapter of the American Red Cross, saying public safety mattered.

“This is a real crisis situation right now. We want all of our residents to treat it like an emergency and to evacuate the area within that one-mile radius.

The mayor spoke at Manual High School, which is outside of the 1-mile radius. Several elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, state Sen. David Koehler and others.

As of roughly midnight, there were about 50 people at the school, according to officials.

The FBI, the U.S. The Coast Guard and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security were in Peoria to help with the bomb threat. Also on scene were the city’s police and fire departments, as well as the Illinois State Police and the East Peoria Police Department.

Ali said repeatedly the threat was real and noted that BioUrja Renewables distills ethanol and other highly flammable and combustible materials.

“This is not a hoax. It has gone beyond this. This is very serious. Here to support the mayor and the people who want to take care of the people. Get out of the area. We’ll see what comes tomorrow but get out of the area tonight,” Koehler said.

The message that needs to get out immediately was to make good decisions, Sorensen said.

Some people find it hard to leave the comfort of your home,” but there are trusted leaders here who are saying to get out. They can’t guarantee the safety of the city of Peoria right now.”