U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Mike Quigley on Wednesday said their offices have each received a second letter containing a "suspicious" material — part of a nationwide string of similar letters targeting congressional and election offices.
Schakowsky, D-Ill, said her Skokie office received "another suspicious letter," with her staff immediately alerting authorities. Skokie police and the U.S. Capitol Police were alerted, and the FBI and hazardous materials personnel responded to the scene, her office said. The content of the letter is being investigated.
Schakowsky, who is retiring in January, also received a suspicious letter on Oct. 16 at her Skokie office. She said her team quickly identified the mail and didn't open it — thanks to warnings from the House Sergeant at Arms about such packages being sent to members of Congress.
“My team and I will not be deterred. We will keep showing up, doing our jobs, and fighting for the people of Illinois’ 9th Congressional District," Schakowsky said in a statement. "Nothing changes that commitment.”
Quigley, D-Ill, also received a second "suspicious package" on Wednesday at his Chicago office. Chicago Police and the U.S. Capitol Police are investigating.
Quigley called it "another effort to scare and intimidate elected officials, public servants, and voters." The congressman, along with Reps. Brad Schneider and Robin Kelly, also reported being sent the letters last week.
"I am again calling on my colleagues and political leaders on both sides of the aisle to condemn political violence in the strongest of terms and turn down the temperature of political discourse," Quigley said in a statement on Wednesday.
Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, and Robert Garcia, D-Calif., are among the latest members of Congress who have reported receiving suspicious packages ahead of Election Day.
The Illinois State Board of Elections evacuated its offices last week when it received a suspicious letter, which was taken as part of the investigation by the FBI. A similar suspicious envelope containing baking powder was delivered to Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas’ downtown Chicago office at 118 N. Clark St.
Several states, including Idaho and Florida, said their election offices either received letters or had them intercepted, according to the Associated Press.
Some of the letters contained threats and traces of fentanyl — leading some election offices to stock up on the overdose reversal medication naloxone, the AP reported.
