East Benton Street from River Street to Broadway in downtown Aurora was closed by the Aurora police and fire departments on Monday afternoon after potentially hazardous materials were reported at the building at 1 E. Benton St., officials said.
At around 1 p.m., an employee there reported feeling ill shortly after opening mail, which prompted the response, an Aurora Police Department news release stated. The employee was transported to an area hospital and was in stable condition as of around 4 p.m., when the news release was sent out, according to officials.
It is not yet known if the mail contributed to the employee’s condition, but out of what officials said was “an abundance of caution,” the building was evacuated, according to the release.
Emergency crews contained the area, and there is no known risk to the general public at this time, the release stated.
Police tape could be seen blocking the roads and sidewalks around the intersection of Benton Street and Stolp Avenue just before 4 p.m., and police cars could be seen blocking the road further back.
Officials are asking community members to avoid the area and seek alternate routes. Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available, according to the news release.
rsmith@chicagotribune.com
