Unfounded anthrax concern closes Empire St. during morning commute

Posted on December 6, 2017
Bloomington police redirected traffic on Empire St. near Central Illinois Regional Airport for about 90 minutes Wednesday morning. (Photo Maria Henneberry/WJBC)

By Greg Halbleib

BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Fire Department reports an unfounded claim of anthrax exposure by a motorist led to the closure of Empire Street near Central Illinois Regional Airport during this morning’s rush hour.

Police say they received the initial call before 7 a.m. to assist a motorist. The fire department says the driver claimed having been exposed to anthrax, which led first responders to set up a perimeter and close the road.

After firefighters determined the anthrax claim to be unfounded and the vehicle was towed, Empire Street was reopened shortly before 9 a.m.

Firefighters took the driver to a local hospital for unrelated medical complaints. Police say no arrests were made or are pending.

Operations at Central Illinois Regional Airport were not affected.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].

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