Peoria Evacuates One-mile Zone After Plant Bomb Threat
WHO:
ABC News - The Peoria Police Department is investigating the reported bomb threat.
ABC News - Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said he was monitoring the threat and had directed the Illinois State Police to coordinate with local authorities.
ABC News - Country singer Jon Pardi announced the cancellation of his Peoria concert.
IJR - Police ordered people within the evacuation zone to leave; emergency shelters were opened for residents.
Newsweek - The bomb discovery prompted a police response and evacuations affecting thousands.
WHAT:
ABC News - Police urged anyone living or working within a one-mile radius of BioUrja Renewables to evacuate immediately as a precaution.
ABC News - Officers and emergency personnel were investigating the reported threat, searching the facility to assess its credibility and protect public safety.
ABC News - Authorities closed most streets in the area and told the public to avoid the one-mile radius until further notice.
ABC News - Pritzker said, “Please follow directions from law enforcement and stay clear of the area.”
ABC News - Pardi’s concert was canceled because of the active local safety concern and its proximity to the threat. Pardi said, “the safety of our fans, our team and the community is always the priority.”
IJR - The evacuation followed a reported bomb threat and suspicious package; authorities urged residents and businesses to stay away until the search was complete.
Newsweek - Newsweek reported that a bomb was discovered and that evacuations were lifted.
WHERE:
ABC News - The reported threat was at BioUrja Renewables, formerly the ADM plant, in Peoria, Illinois.
IJR - The one-mile evacuation area covered parts of Peoria and East Peoria, Illinois.
ABC News - The concert venue was close enough to the threat area for the concert to be canceled.
WHY:
ABC News - Police recommended evacuation as a precaution while investigating the threat.
ABC News - The concert was canceled at the discretion of the chief of police because of an active local safety concern.
IJR - Residents and businesses were told to avoid the area while authorities searched it.
HOW:
ABC News - Police closed most nearby streets, searched the facility, and asked residents and businesses to cooperate with emergency personnel and remain away until further notice.
IJR - Emergency shelters were opened during the evacuation.
(UPDATED November 14, 2026 21:59 UTC)
Police investigated a reported bomb threat at BioUrja Renewables in Peoria, Illinois, prompting evacuations. Authorities urged people within a one-mile radius to leave as officers searched the facility. The evacuation was later lifted, but Jon Pardi’s nearby concert was canceled.