Thousands of people have been evacuated in Peoria, Illinois, after a bomb was discovered at an ethanol plant.
The evacuation forced thousands of people to leave their homes after a suspicious package was discovered at the BioUrja Renewables plant just after 1 p.m. Friday, as officials determined a 1-mile-wide blast-radius zone.
According to The New York Post, “Peoria police ruled the device a credible threat an hour later as FBI agents were called to the scene.”
The Illinois State Police shared the following Friday night, “ISP is providing support to the Peoria Police Department and restricting traffic to the downtown area to maintain a safe perimeter as they investigate a threat. Please stay away from the area at this time.”
ISP is providing support to the Peoria Police Department and restricting traffic to the downtown area to maintain a safe perimeter as they investigate a threat. Please stay away from the area at this time. https://t.co/qzCBnYc2o3
— IllinoisStatePolice (@ILStatePolice) November 14, 2026
The device was ultimately rendered safe.
About two hours before Dixon’s briefing, Mayor Rita Ali spoke to reporters at Manual Academy. “A device has been identified. We know it’s a credible threat. We know it’s a bomb,” Ali said, according to 25News. She cautioned that “we don’t know if there are other devices.”
Those comments came Friday night, after Dixon later said the package found at the plant had already been rendered safe.
FBI Springfield Field Office’s Special Agent in Charge Ryan Presley noted during a press conference that officials have not yet identified any suspects or motives connected to the incident but warned the alleged perpetrators would be “brought to justice.”
“We are currently investigating this incident with all of our partners. While it is early in this investigation, know this: we will work tirelessly to identify the individual responsible and bring them to justice.”
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