Illinois hotel where Texas Democrats are staying evacuated over bomb threat

Texas House Democrats who left Austin to halt debate on the GOP’s controversial redistricting plan were evacuated from an Illinois hotel Wednesday morning over a bomb threat, the Dallas Morning News reports.

“This morning, a threat was made against the safety of the members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus,” party leaders said in a statement emailed to the Current. “We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred and unintimidated. We are grateful for [Illinois] Gov. [JB] Pritzker, local, and state law enforcement for their quick action to ensure our safety.”

In a tweet, Pritzker promised to investigate the threat and hold those behind it “accountable.”

“I have instructed Illinois State Police to ensure we maintain public safety,” he added.

On Sunday, more than 50 Texas House Democrats bolted from the state capitol to Chicago, Boston and New York in a bid to shut down Gov. Greg Abbott’s aggressive redrawing of the state’s congressional maps to favor the GOP. The departed Dems are hoping to run down the clock on Texas Legislature’s special session without action on the redistricting plan.

Wednesday’s bomb threat comes as Republicans leaders, including Abbott, escalate their rhetoric about the Democrats’ quorum break.

The Republican-controlled Texas House voted Monday afternoon to issue arrest warrants for lawmakers who left the state, and Abbott filed a lawsuit seeking to expel Texas Rep. Gene Wu, chair of the House Democratic Caucus. On Tuesday, without offering specifics, President Donald Trump told reporters the FBI “may have to” get involved to end the walkout.

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This article appears in Jul 23 – Aug 6, 2025.