Evanston Woman Accused of Mailing Suspicious Substance to Illinois Tollway Employees

An Evanston woman is accused of mailing an envelope that contained a granular substance to employees of the Illinois State Tollway in Downers Grove.

Cassandra Shepard, 28, of the 1400 block of Howard Street faces charges of disorderly conduct - false bomb or deadly substance threat in DuPage County, according to State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin.

Berlin says Shepard mailed a letter to the Tollway facility on Sept. 15 and addressed it to “Illinois tollway b*****s.” The letter included what appeared to be a granular substance.

Authorities with the FBI, the Illinois State Police, the Downers Grove Fire Department and the Naperville Fire Department Specialized Hazmat Unit arrived at the Tollway office to investigate and determined the substance “did not appear to be hazardous and did not post an immediate threat to employees,” according to Berlin.

“Regardless of what was in the envelope or what Ms. Shepard’s intentions were when she allegedly mailed it, government employees have the right to feel safe at work and any threats to that safety will be taken very seriously,” Berlin said. “Thankfully the envelope did not contain any harmful substances.”

Shepard was charged on Thursday and is being held on $5,000 bond.