Hazmat Threat Reported At Dirksen Federal Building

CHICAGO — The Chicago Fire Department was called to a level 2 hazmat situation Monday at the Dirksen Federal Building downtown, authorities said. A possible hazardous chemical leak was reported at about 7:45 a.m. in the Dirksen courthouse at 219 S. Dearborn St.

Employees and visitors in the building were not allowed to leave while the investigation was underway, officials said. Nobody else was allowed to enter the building.

The situation led to closures in the area — East Jackson was blocked off from Clark to State.

After testing was completed, officials said that air quality in the building is normal, and no hazardous leaks were detected in the building and CTA subway.

The U.S. courthouse reopened and resumed normal operations at 10:15 a.m.