Authorities are investigating a bomb threat at the BioUrja Renewables ethanol production facility in Peoria, Illinois, after Mayor Rita Ali said Friday evening that a device had been identified and described the threat as credible. The discovery prompted emergency evacuations extending approximately one mile around the industrial plant, affecting portions of downtown Peoria and neighboring East Peoria. Police and emergency personnel established a security perimeter around the facility at 1 Edmund St., near the Illinois River. Residents and businesses within the affected area were instructed to evacuate immediately while law enforcement continued its investigation. No explosion or injuries had been reported in the available information.

"Device has been identified. We know it's a credible threat. We know it's a bomb," Ali said during a news conference, according to video remarks circulated Friday evening. The mayor's statement followed an earlier announcement from Peoria police describing an investigation into a reported bomb threat at the facility. Authorities initially said officers were conducting a search to determine the credibility of the threat and protect the surrounding community. Officials have not publicly detailed the device's construction, explosive capability or whether it has been rendered safe. No suspect or motive has been identified.

BioUrja Renewables operates one of the nation's larger industrial alcohol production facilities, with an annual production capacity of approximately 135 million gallons. The plant manufactures industrial-grade, beverage-grade and fuel-grade ethanol, along with associated agricultural products. Its output is used in alcoholic beverages, consumer and industrial goods, and gasoline blends, while corn-derived oils support the production of renewable fuels. The facility is part of BioUrja Group, a privately held energy and agricultural commodity trading and distribution company headquartered in Houston, Texas. The company operates across the United States and maintains an international presence in several countries.

The Peoria plant was previously owned by agricultural processing giant Archer Daniels Midland, which sold the facility to BioUrja Group in November 2021 as part of a restructuring of its ethanol operations. Approximately 150 employees worked at the facility at the time of the sale, according to ADM's announcement. The industrial complex has a long history in Peoria, previously operating as the Hiram Walker distillery before being converted to ethanol production. BioUrja acquired the property to expand its business into alcohol manufacturing while strengthening its existing biofuel operations. The company has also been involved in plans for additional industrial development near the site.

The nature of the facility's operations has added significance to the emergency response, although authorities have not reported that production equipment or stored industrial materials were involved in the suspected threat. Ethanol is a flammable alcohol commonly used in fuel production, manufacturing and consumer products. Officials have not identified any chemical release, industrial fire or secondary incident associated with the investigation. The evacuation zone was established as a precaution while emergency personnel assessed the reported device. Authorities have not disclosed whether the facility's industrial operations were shut down.

The evacuation disrupted transportation, businesses and public events across the Peoria area. Illinois State Police assisted local law enforcement with road closures, including restrictions on several Interstate 74 ramps leading into downtown. The Peoria Civic Center was evacuated, forcing the cancellation of a scheduled concert, while the Peoria Chiefs canceled Friday's Holiday Lights at the Ballpark event. Caterpillar instructed employees scheduled for the third shift at affected facilities not to report to work. OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center said it was coordinating with authorities and implementing precautions to protect patients and employees.

Emergency shelters were established at Manual Academy, 811 S. Griswold St. in Peoria, and the EastSide Centre in East Peoria. East Peoria Mayor John Kahl said officials considered the threat credible and urged residents to comply with evacuation instructions. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said he had directed Illinois State Police to coordinate with local authorities and was monitoring developments. Law enforcement agencies continued restricting access to the affected area as the investigation proceeded. Officials had not announced when residents would be permitted to return to their homes or businesses.