Suspicious letter draws hazmat response at Kluczynski Federal Building in downtown Chicago Friday morning
The Chicago Fire Department's hazmat team responded to the Kluczynski Federal Building for a suspicious letter Friday morning.
A large CFD presence was visible outside the building at 230 S. Dearborn Street around 8:30 a.m.
Chicago fire officials said the call initially came in a few minutes before 8 a.m. for a suspicious envelope or letter delivered there. The area was cleared and the incident closed at 9:11 a.m.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said an employee working in the building discovered an unopened envelope with a loose substance inside.
"The employee left the room and exhibited no medical signs or symptoms of exposure. FPS officers responded to the scene alongside Chicago Fire HAZMAT and the Chicago Police Department. The area and envelope have been cleared, and the FBI has been notified," a Homeland Security spokesperson said in a statement.
The FBI confirmed it was investigating, but did not provide any further information.
Hazmat responses for suspicious letters have become more frequent in the past week. Last Friday, an envelope with white powder was sent to Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas' office in the county building next to Chicago City Hall, prompting a large hazmat response.
On Wednesday, U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky, Mike Quigley, and Brad Schneider all received suspicious mail at their district offices in Skokie, Chicago, and Lincolnshire, respectively. For all three, it was the second time in a week that a suspicious package prompted a hazmat response.
Federal authorities have been investigating letters and packages containing white powder substances sent to election offices and the offices of elected officials starting last week, as the 2026 midterm election approaches.
