Woman faces charges for bomb threat at Illinois State Capitol 

The woman allegedly made the threat in April. (Photo courtesy; WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

SPRINGFIELD – A 23-year-old woman faces charges for allegedly playing a role in a bomb threat at the Illinois State Capitol. 

In April, the Illinois Department of Human Services received a call from an individual saying a bomb had been installed at a public aid office building at the Illinois State Capitol. 

After the call, the Secretary of State Capitol Police and Hazardous Device Unit swept the grounds of the Capitol while state police cleared the building. 

With cell phone information and interviews, Illinois State Police identified Gabrielle Williams as a suspect. 

Williams is behind bars in the Sangamon County Jail on various charges. 

Various state, local, and federal law enforcement partners, including the U.S. Marshals Service, assisted with the investigation and arrest of Williams. 

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…