SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Security just tightened at the Illinois State Capitol.
The new protocols have been implemented to curb threats to the Capitol, the Secretary of State’s Office announced in a memo sent out Monday. The new rules all took effect Tuesday, Nov. 19.
Some threats from earlier this year include a bomb threat in March and a threatening 911 call in April. In early January, the FBI was investigating several state capitols that received bomb threats on the same day, including the Illinois State Capitol.
"These enhancements to our existing security protocols will better protect and ensure the safety of those who work at and visit the Capitol grounds," part of the memo reads.
The rules include:
- Anyone entering the Capitol or a different Capitol Complex building will need to go through the Secretary of State Department of Police’s security screening.
- Members of the General Assembly, legislative staff and state government employees are required to display a government-issued photo ID inside complex buildings.
- Credentialed individuals – including lobbyists, vendors, members of the media, employees of state agencies that do not issue government photo IDs, and the public – need to undergo screening at every entrance to any building on the Capitol Complex.
- For session days, there will be extra screening stations, specifically for credentialed individuals, to expedite the entry process at the East Door.
- Credentialed media and vendors bringing in equipment or deliveries can enter the building through the South Dock entrance. All items will be subject to screening with hand-held devices.
- Another screening station has been added at the underground garage entrance to help state employees and credentialed individuals who park there have access the capitol and the other buildings.
"We understand that these changes might present some challenges and – for some – may appear too extreme," part of the memo reads. "However, in light of the growing number of threats and acts of violence across the nation, we must do everything we can to provide additional layers of security and prevent future tragedies from occurring here."
