# Feds investigate suspicious letter sent to Chicago election office

> FBI probes 'suspicious envelope' at Chicago election office ahead of November vote.
- Title: Feds investigate suspicious letter sent to Chicago election…
- Summary: FBI probes 'suspicious envelope' at Chicago election office ahead of November vote. FBI and federal agencies are investigating a letter containing baking…
- Keywords: fbi, illinois state board of elections, chicago election office, suspicious letter, baking powder, election security, november election, news, local, Feds, investigate, suspicious
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/10/15/feds-investigating-suspicious-letter-sent-to-chicago-election-office
- Published: 2026-10-16T01:28:19.902+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: fbi, illinois state board of elections, chicago election office, suspicious letter, baking powder, election security, november election, news, local
## Feds investigate suspicious letter
The FBI is investigating a suspicious envelope sent to the Illinois State Board of Elections Chicago office on Thursday.
## Chicago office evacuated
Spokesman Matt Dietrich said they evacuated the office and notified law enforcement immediately after receiving the envelope.
## FBI has envelope
The FBI now has the envelope and the Chicago office will be open as usual tomorrow.
## Similar incidents nationwide
Packages with powdery substances led to evacuations in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and other states ahead of November elections.
## Baking powder in Cook County
A similar envelope containing baking powder was delivered to Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas' office at 118 N. Clark St. Thursday morning.
## Fentanyl traces reported
Some letters contained threats and traces of fentanyl, prompting election offices to stock up on naloxone.
## Multi-agency investigation
The FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and U.S. Capitol Police are working to intercept additional letters.
## Election security concerns
The suspicious letters were sent just three weeks before November elections after early voting began in Illinois on September 24.
## Key takeaway

FBI and federal agencies are investigating a letter containing baking powder sent to Chicago's election office as part of nationwide mailings ahead of November elections.