FBI leads investigation after bomb discovered at Illinois ethanol plant

A bomb was discovered at the BioUrja Renewables ethanol plant in Peoria, Illinois, on Friday, leading federal authorities to launch an investigation and order the evacuation of thousands of nearby residents and workers.

Mayor Rita Ali said officials considered the threat credible and confirmed the device was a bomb, while Police Chief Brad Dixon emphasized that the incident was not a hoax, describing the package as a legitimate threat.

Authorities established a one-mile blast radius and relocated over 5,000 people to shelters at Manual Academy high school and the EastSide Centre sports complex. The FBI’s Springfield office, represented by Special Agent Ryan Pressley, said investigators will work "tirelessly to identify the individual responsible and bring them to justice."

The device was rendered safe later on Friday, but the evacuation order remained in effect as officials continued an exhaustive search of the large industrial complex. No arrests have been made and no injuries were reported. The response involved the Peoria Fire Department, Peoria County Sheriff’s Department and the Illinois Secretary of State.