Politics
Second suspicious envelope in a week prompts evacuation at Schakowsky’s Skokie office
A hazmat team responded Wednesday after an unknown substance was seen coming from an envelope at Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s suburban office. The incident is part of a wider wave of suspicious mail reported by members of Congress.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s office in Skokie was evacuated Wednesday after staff saw an unknown substance coming from a suspicious envelope, her office said. It was the second suspicious letter delivered to the office in less than a week.
A hazmat team responded, and Skokie police and U.S. Capitol Police are investigating. Schakowsky’s office said the envelope differed from those involved in the previous incidents, but did not describe it. Authorities have not identified the substance or announced any arrests.
The latest delivery comes amid reports that more than three dozen members of Congress have received suspicious envelopes in recent weeks, including several members of Illinois’ delegation. Earlier letters were reportedly postmarked “Thinking of You” and routed through a mail-processing center in North Texas.
Rep. Delia Ramirez’s West Chicago office received a note, while suspicious mail was also reported at the district offices of Reps. Mike Quigley, Brad Schneider and Robin Kelly. The incidents remain under investigation.