A number of the Texas Democrats who left the state in protest of a redistricting invoice had been briefly evacuated Wednesday from their Chicago-area resort after a bomb menace, in line with one of many representatives.
“Early this morning, a bomb menace compelled us to evacuate our resort. Fortunately, nobody was harmed,” mentioned state Rep. Ann Johnson in an announcement.
The resort is in St. Charles, Illinois, west of Chicago. The St. Charles Police Division mentioned first responders “performed a radical search and no machine was discovered.”
“In response to the menace, 400 folks had been instantly evacuated and the world was secured as bomb squad models performed their investigation,” the division mentioned in an announcement. “Following clearance from authorities, all friends and employees have safely returned to the premises.”
The Texas Home Democratic caucus confirmed {that a} menace had been made, as did Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. Pritzker mentioned in an announcement that “threats of violence will likely be investigated and people accountable will likely be held accountable” and that he had instructed Illinois state police to research.
Greater than 50 Texas Home Democrats left the state Sunday to forestall a quorum within the state Home of Representatives to maneuver ahead on a invoice that may set new congressional districts. Texas Republicans had taken up a uncommon mid-decade redistricting effort after President Trump insisted that the state’s maps may very well be redrawn to provide the GOP extra of an edge. Texas at the moment has 38 representatives in Congress, with 23 Republicans and 15 Democrats. The brand new maps unveiled by Texas Republicans may web the GOP as much as 5 extra seats.