Peoria officials are on high alert following a bomb threat at the BioUrja Renewables ethanol facility at 1 Edmund Street. The police have initiated an evacuation within a one-mile radius.
Both Peoria and East Peoria are affected, particularly areas crossing the Illinois River. Local authorities strongly advise anyone in the vicinity to evacuate immediately and stay away until given further instructions.
Authorities Respond to Threat
Mayor Rita Ali announced that a device has been discovered at the facility, confirming the threat is credible. While it seems the device may have been deactivated, the full situation remains uncertain as officials cannot guarantee the absence of additional threats.
"A device has been identified. We know it's a credible threat. We know it's a bomb. Yes" Peoria Mayor Rita Ali said at a press conference earlier this evening giving an update on the situation at the BioUrja ethanol plant in Peoria.
A large section of downtown Peoria remains on… pic.twitter.com/R45KPXogFP
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 14, 2026
ATF Special Agent/Certified Explosives Specialists from the Chicago field office are on scene at the BioUrja ethanol plant in Peoria, Illinois.
At an earlier press conference, Peoria mayor Rita Ali confirmed at least one device had been located saying "We know it's a bomb…we… https://t.co/0vuYPZ7vBJ
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 14, 2026
The bomb threat in Peoria, IL was in the form of an email received around noon on Friday. A portion of it stated: “they will blow in 12 hours, good luck finding them all”.
If there are multiple bombs and they are on remote relays, this could be a very serious issue.
— Scott (@EODWX5) November 14, 2026
Special agents from the ATF along with Certified Explosives Specialists from the Chicago Field Division are actively engaged at the scene, supported by local, state, and federal authorities. The Illinois State Police are coordinating traffic management in the area.
Travel Disruptions and Safety Measures
Interstate 74 is closed in both directions through Peoria. Sheriff Chris Watkins advises motorists to divert to Interstate 474. Many ramps leading into Peoria from Interstate 74 are also blocked off, and numerous roads in the evacuation zone remain closed.
Entire Peoria Illinois downtown is on LOCKDOWN! Bomb found. More possible bombs planted. CRAZY! pic.twitter.com/gRjs4z7Kbn
— JLR© (@JLRINVESTIGATES) November 14, 2026
For those displaced, shelters have been established at Manual Academy and EastSide Centre for safety. BioUrja acquired the site from Archer Daniels Midland in 2021, where ethanol is produced. The evacuation is a precaution as law enforcement thoroughly investigates the area. No suspects have been named, with another update expected by 9 a.m. Saturday.
This is a developing story…
