Illinois Capitol On Lockdown After White Powder Incident

By Hunter Clauss
Illinois Capitol
A 2016 file photo of Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill. Seth Perlman / Associated Press
Illinois Capitol
A 2016 file photo of Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill. Seth Perlman / Associated Press

Illinois Capitol On Lockdown After White Powder Incident

By Hunter Clauss
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Updated 3:30 p.m.

The Illinois State Capitol building was temporarily on lockdown after a woman threw a white powder in Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office Thursday afternoon right before lawmakers were scheduled to take a vote on overriding the governor’s budget veto.

At 1:26 p.m., a woman threw the substance in the governor’s office, the lieutenant governor’s office, and the gallery in the House, according to Springfield Fire Department Chief Barry Helmerichs. The woman is in custody, Helmerichs said, and a hazardous materials unit was sent to the Capitol building. 

The substance was not hazardous, according to Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White’s office, which handles security at the Capitol. 

The House was expected to call a vote at 1:30 p.m. on overriding Rauner’s veto of a budget package that includes a $5 billion income tax hike. 

“It’s going to slow down any action, that’s for sure,” Helmerichs said of the lockdown.  

Emergency workers wearing protective gear inspected the governor’s office.

Rauner was not at the Capitol, his staff said.

The building was not evacuated, but those who were not already inside were forbidden from entering during the lockdown.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates. The Associated Press contributed to this report.