Israeli Consulate To Reopen After Being Evacuated
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Israeli Consul General in Chicago says the consulate in the Ogilvie Transportation Center is expected to reopen Tuesday morning, a day after being evacuated because of a suspicious envelope.
As WBBM Newsradio's Steve Miller reports, the envelope was discovered by an employee wearing gloves around 3 p.m. Monday at the Israeli Consulate, on the 31st floor at 500 W. Madison St., according to Orli Gil, the Israeli Consul General to the Midwest.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Steve Miller reports
Podcast
Gil tells WBBM Newsradio no one opened the envelope, because white powder was leaking out of a ripped corner.
Chicago Police arrived, she says - and evacuated the consulate.
"We all unfortunately learn time after time that the international terror probably led by forces from Iran or al-Qaeda is trying to harm civilians wherever they are," Gil said.
Gil says envelopes with harmless white powder have recently been sent to Israeli consulates in other American and European cities.
"It reminds us who we are dealing with and that world terror is not quiet, although we don't hear about them lately, they're all very active behind the scenes," she said.
Gil says she expects the consulate will open this morning, as usual.
Meanwhile, Chicago Police say preliminary tests suggest the powder is harmless.
