Bomb threat evacuates 400 people, including Texas lawmakers, from Q Center in St. Charles

Texas Democratic lawmakers were among 400 people evacuated in response to a potential bomb threat at the Q Center in St. Charles early Wednesday morning, authorities said.

Police and the Kane County Sheriff’s bomb squad searched the center and found no explosive device, according to a news release.

Police responded to the reported threat about 7:15 a.m., and immediately evacuated 400 people and secured the area around the hotel and convention center at 1405 N. Fifth Ave. in St. Charles.

All guests and staff safely returned to the premises, police said.

St. Charles Police Cmdr. Andrew Lamela said Wednesday afternoon that the original call to authorities came from a Q Center staff member.

Authorities are encouraging anyone with information to call the St. Charles Police Department at 630-377-4435. An investigation continues Wednesday.

Several Texas state Democrats fled to Illinois on Sunday in a last-resort attempt to block redrawn U.S. House maps that President Donald Trump wants before the 2026 midterm elections.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has made threats about removing members of the opposition from their seats. Democrats have countered that Abbott is using “smoke and mirrors” to assert legal authority he does not have.

Texas state Rep. Ann Johnson responded to the evacuation on social media platform X, where she blamed “dangerous republican rhetoric” from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

“A bomb threat this morning forced an evacuation…” Johnson said in the tweet, “Paxton told his supporters to ‘Hunt us Down’– but we won’t be silenced.”

Gov. JB Pritzker also took to social media Wednesday, promising that the threats would be investigated and responsible parties held accountable.

“I am aware of reports that threats were made against Texas elected officials in our state,” Pritzker confirmed on X.

Pritzker said he instructed Illinois State Police to ensure public safety is maintained.

Pritzker on Tuesday appeared as a guest on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” where he addressed the state’s harboring of Texas lawmakers and vowed to protect them.

“We’re going to protect them and take care of them. I’m very proud of them,” Pritzker told Colbert. “What we’re going to have to do is whatever it takes to preserve democracy.”

Pritzker also said on the show that the Texas lawmakers have “not broken any federal law, and frankly, in the state of Illinois, we’re not going to let them get taken away. We’re going to protect those Texas House Democrats. As long as they’re in Illinois, they’re safe.”