The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is investigating a piece of mail sent to state Rep. Barbara Hernandez’s office in downtown Aurora after one of the office’s staff members, who opened the letter, fell ill and was taken to the hospital.
At around 1 p.m. on Monday, the Aurora fire and police departments responded to 1 E. Benton St., which holds a number of offices including Hernandez’s, after an employee reported feeling sick after opening the mail, according to a news release sent by the Aurora Police Department on Monday.
The building was evacuated “out of an abundance of caution,” but it was unclear whether or not the letter contributed to the employee’s condition, officials said in the release.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service was also at the scene on Monday along with the FBI and the Illinois State Police, according to U.S. Postal Inspection Service spokesperson Spencer Block. He said in an email on Tuesday that inspectors have the letter, which was reported to emit a suspicious odor, and that the investigation is ongoing.
Emergency crews also closed off the area around the building with police tape, and East Benton Street from River Street to Broadway was closed to traffic until around 6 p.m. on Monday, according to an Aurora Police Department Facebook post.
Hernandez confirmed on Facebook that the letter was addressed to her office and that it was one of her staffers who opened it and then felt ill.
“It is unfortunate we live in this type of environment where we have to worry about these incidents,” she said in the post. “However, I’m very proud and grateful for my team and the first responders for the quick action.”
In an email on Tuesday, Hernandez said her staffer has been released from the hospital and is now with their family. The office was closed on Tuesday and might stay closed on Wednesday, she said in the email.
rsmith@chicagotribune.com
