CHICAGO (WLS) — A 37-year-old Quincy man is accused of mailing letters containing a white substance to the Chicago-area offices of four members of Congress, prompting hazmat responses and a federal investigation.
According to investigators, Matthew Unglesbee told the FBI the mailings were intended as a joke and that he was inspired by other threatening letters that have been sent to public officials across the country.
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The letters were sent to the offices of U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky and U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth. Authorities said the mailings prompted hazmat responses after staff members encountered envelopes containing a white substance.
The FBI said Unglesbee told investigators the substance in the letters was salt. Quigley described the impact such incidents can have on congressional staff.
“You can imagine what it’s like for a staff person to grab the envelopes, the mail, and a big puff of powder comes up,” Quigley said.
Authorities arrested Unglesbee at his home in Quincy. Investigators said the letters were mailed from Quincy and were postmarked in Springfield.
According to a criminal complaint, the envelopes contained handwritten notes that said “HA HA” or “HAH enjoy the gift.”
Quigley said the case reflects a broader concern about threats directed at public officials.
“We’re in a climate where threats and intimidation like this have become normalized,” he said.
Investigators said the letters included Unglesbee’s name and return address. Authorities also said an anonymous tipster contacted the FBI after allegedly overhearing Unglesbee discussing the mailings in a restaurant.
In statements released following the arrest, Schneider thanked law enforcement “for treating this investigation with the seriousness it deserves.”
Schakowsky said, “I will not let threats stand in the way of serving the people of the 9th District.”
Quigley said his office remains open and accessible despite the incident.
“My office is open, accessible, ready for business, and we’re not going to let anyone intimidate us,” he said.
Unglesbee is charged only in connection with the four letters sent to the lawmakers’ offices. Authorities have not identified who may be responsible for other threatening mailings reported around the country in recent weeks.
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