Illinois ethanol plant bomb forces evacuation as FBI investigates

A bomb was found Friday at an ethanol plant in Peoria, a central Illinois city of about 110,000, officials said, sparking an investigation involving the FBI and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people living nearby.Peoria Police Chief Brad Dixon said an explosive device found at BioUrja Renewables has been rendered safe, but evacuations around the facility will remain in effect well into Saturday. Authorities are continuing their investigation as the BioUrja facility has not yet been cleared.“A device has been identified. We know it’s a credible threat. We know it’s a bomb,” Peoria Mayor Rita Ali said. She added that officials don’t know whether there are other devices. According to Dixon, BioUrja notified Peoria police around 1:08 p.m. Friday that the company had received a bomb threat. Police found a suspicious package around 2 p.m. CST and determined at approximately 6:45 p.m. that it posed a “credible threat.” A bomb technician rendered the package safe at about 9:12 p.m.The evacuation order took effect at 7:02 p.m., with police urging residents and businesses within a 1-mile radius of the plant to leave immediately. The zone surrounds the facility at 1 Edmund St. and crosses the Illinois River into neighboring East Peoria. Police issued the order “out of an abundance of caution while officers and emergency personnel investigate the threat.”The evacuation zone includes parts of Downtown Peoria and the Warehouse District. The plant makes ethanol, a highly flammable liquid, for fuel, beverages, and hand sanitizer, along with ingredients for adhesives, detergents, and corn-based oils used in renewable diesel, according to the company’s website. As of 2022, the plant could produce 135 million gallons of ethanol per year. The chemicals at the site, which sits along the Illinois River, have heightened the potential danger.Dixon said the facility is large, so searching it will take additional time. He said the evacuation could continue into Saturday afternoon because investigators had not finished examining the property.“We understand that this is a disruptive process for our residents and guests,” Dixon said. He urged residents and businesses to keep taking the evacuation seriously even though the device had been rendered safe. “We’re asking you to get out of the blast radius.”Ryan Presley, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Springfield office, said federal agents were asked to assist Peoria police and are working alongside multiple law enforcement agencies.Presley said authorities “will work to identify the individual responsible.” Officials have not identified a motive or a suspect, and Dixon declined to discuss details of the investigation. Dixon did not specify how many devices were found or where they were located within the facility.The Washington Examiner has reached out to the Peoria Police Department and BioUrja for comment.The Peoria Fire Department, Peoria County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, and ATF also responded. Gov. JB Pritzker said in a post on X that he is monitoring the threat and has directed the Illinois State Police to coordinate with local authorities.“Please follow directions from law enforcement and stay clear of the area,” Pritzker said.Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) also urged residents to follow evacuation orders.About 75 people were at the emergency shelter at Manual Academy, 811 S. Griswold St., early Saturday, and the American Red Cross was working to provide beds. EastSide Centre in East Peoria has also been designated for those displaced.Interstate 74 has reopened, but numerous road closures remain around the facility.Country singer Jon Pardi’s Peoria concert was canceled because of its proximity to the threat. In an Instagram post Friday night, Pardi said, “At the discretion of the Chief of Police, tonight’s concert has been canceled due to an active local safety concern.”BioUrja bought the plant from Archer Daniels Midland in late 2021. The site was formerly the world’s largest whiskey distillery under Hiram Walker.FAA’S MODERNIZATION PUSH FACES RENEWED SCRUTINY AFTER NATIONWIDE OUTAGE: WHAT TO KNOWThe plant has had industrial accidents before, including a 2022 grain bin explosion that sent two workers to the hospital with smoke inhalation. No earlier bomb threats at the facility have been reported.Dixon said notifications will be sent when the evacuation order is lifted. Police plan to brief the media around noon CST on Saturday.This is a developing story and will be updated.