A chemical leak from a tank at the University of Illinois Chicago’s Biologic Resources Laboratory set off a safety alert across the UI Health campus Wednesday morning, officials said. People in the area were told to steer clear while response crews moved in, and UIC said the spill was brought under control in about 30 minutes.
What happened
According to CBS Chicago, the leak originated from a tank inside the Biologic Resources Laboratory at 1840 W. Taylor St. on UI Health's Near West Side campus. The outlet reported that emergency responders and campus safety staff secured the scene while cleanup teams worked to contain the release.
About the lab and campus safety
The Biologic Resources Laboratory supports animal research and lists 1840 West Taylor as its location, along with on-campus emergency contacts and procedures, according to its contact page at BRL. UIC's Environmental Health and Safety Office runs a chemical removal program and offers 24-hour emergency support for hazardous-material situations, per EHSO.
Where this sits in the medical district
The BRL facility sits inside UI Health's footprint in the Illinois Medical District, a tightly packed stretch of hospitals and clinics along Taylor Street. A campus map from UI Health shows the lab just a short distance from the University of Illinois Hospital and several other patient care buildings.
Next steps
CBS Chicago did not identify the specific chemical involved, and UIC has not released additional details about what caused the leak. University emergency pages list the campus contacts that are used for incidents like this. Hoodline will update this post if officials issue new information or guidance.
