Will County Sheriff’s deputies enhanced security at the Will County Courthouse on Thursday afternoon after a county office received a ransom email that appeared to have made its way across the country.

The email was sent to the circuit clerk’s office and threatened an explosion if county officials did not pay the sender in Bitcoin.

The courthouse was not evacuated, but security was heightened and police dogs were present, Will County Sheriff’s Deputy Chief Dan Jungles said.

Joliet police also received two reports regarding the emailed bomb threat, Sgt. Darrell Gavin said.

“As with similar threats called into locations around the country, no credible threat has been found at this point,” Gavin said. “We encourage the public to continue to be vigilant and call with anything suspicious.”

The emailed threat was sent to businesses, schools and government offices across the state and the country, according to numerous media reports.

McHenry school districts 156 and
15 were on soft lockdowns Thursday afternoon upon the advice of McHenry Police Department, the Northwest Herald reported.

Lake County officials were also monitoring the situation.

"Locations throughout the United States have received bomb threats today," said Robert Ellsworth Jr., chief deputy of McHenry County Emergency Management Agency. "If you receive a phone call or email threat please report this information to the Illinois State Police at their email address STIC@isp.state.il.us."