2 hospitalized after 'suspicious package' found at Des Plaines police station

DES PLAINES, Ill. (WLS) -- Des Plaines police are investigating a potential hazmat situation at their headquarters on Friday evening.

A suspicious package was found there around 4:30 p.m., prompting a large response not only from the Des Plaines Fire Department, but also several other local and federal agencies.

City officials offered no description of what was inside, but clearly they were concerned about the possibility it contained a hazardous substance. Chopper 7 was over the scene, where firefighters were seen brushing off a first responder in a hazmat suit.

Two Des Plaines Police Department staff members, who were close to the package when it was found, were taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening symptoms for evaluation.

Investigators closing down Miner Street, a main thoroughfare running through the middle of town, and the police station, so hazmat crews could respond. They also called for a hazmat identifier from Mount Prospect to try to help them determine what substance may have been in the package.

Police operations were temporarily moved to City Hall, but eventually resumed back at the station around 8 p.m.

Police did not immediately provide further information.