URBANA, Illinois – An all-clear was issued Wednesday evening at the University of Illinois after a suspicious package found at Mumford Hall was investigated and deemed safe by police. The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) was alerted to the package by an Illinois employee at approximately 5:43 p.m., which was located near an entryway to Mumford Hall at 1301 W. Gregory Drive in Urbana.
According to the University of Illinois Police, a bomb-sniffing K9 was promptly dispatched to the scene, indicating that the package might contain a hazardous substance. This led to the evacuation of the building and the issuance of an Illini-Alert to inform students, faculty, and staff of the potential danger. The East Central Illinois Bomb Squad, comprising members from both the UIPD and Champaign Police Department, was called in for further examination. An X-ray analysis revealed that the package did not contain explosives, though it held materials that triggered the dog’s alert.
The police confirmed the box’s contents were not illicit or dangerous, issuing the all-clear after ensuring the area was safe. UIPD Chief Matt Ballinger emphasized the importance of community vigilance and the positive outcome of proactive reporting, underscoring the preference for caution over the risk of overlooking potential threats.
