Bomb Threat Evacuates 400 at Illinois Hotel Housing Texas Democrats

Texas Democratic lawmakers who left the state to protest the redrawing of a congressional map faced a bomb threat at their hotel in St. Charles, Illinois, resulting in the evacuation of about 400 people with no device found. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker assured the Democrats they would be safe in Illinois amid threats from Texas Republicans, criticizing the redistricting plan as disenfranchising Black and brown voters. Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth expressed concern over the threats against the Texas officials. The incident highlights the intense political conflict over redistricting in Texas, with Democrats accusing Republicans of undermining voting rights through gerrymandering. Security briefings for the Texas Democrats in Illinois followed the threat, underscoring the seriousness of the situation. Despite the intimidation, the Texas Democrats remain committed to their walkout to oppose the map changes.