Lockdown Lifted At State Capitol After Powder Tests Negative For Biological Agents [Updated]

By Stephen Gossett in News on Jul 6, 2017 8:00PM

Getty Images; Photo: Mark Wilson

The Illinois State Capitol was placed on lockdown on Thursday afternoon as crews investigated a hazmat situation. The lockdown was lifted at about 3:30 p.m. after responders did not find any hazardous substances. Barry Helmerichs, Chief of Springfield Fire Department, told Chicagoist that a woman threw a white powder at Gov. Bruce Rauner's office, the office of the Lieutenant Governor and the House gallery.

The woman, who had some of the substance in her possession, was placed into custody at around 1:26 p.m., Helmerichs said. Crews entered the area at around 2:03 p.m. to test the area.

The substance tested negative for biological agents in an initial protein test, Helmerichs said. "We don't know what it is yet, but we know it's not biological," he said.

Fox reports that a guard was stationed outside Rauner's office.

The hazmat situation and lockdown pushed back the House's much-anticipated vote on whether or not to override Rauner's veto of the legislature's budget plan, which was originally slated for a 1:30 p.m. vote.

The Capitol was not evacuated, but people were kept from entering the building while the lockdown was in place, the State Journal-Register.. The air conditioning was turned off, and emergency crews were seen outside.

Helmerichs said that as of about 3 p.m. the Fire Department was in the process of turning over the building to the Secretary of State's Office. They made the determination to lift the lockdown after the Fire Department gave a go-ahead. The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State said in a statement:

"The Secretary of State Police requested the assistance of the Springfield Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Unit after an unknown substance was discovered at the Capitol Complex. The fire department responded and has given clearance to reopen the building. No hazardous substance was found. The Secretary of State Police currently has a female in custody and is conducting an active investigation."

This post has been updated.