Letter to Rep. Rush prompts hazmat response

Police in Chicago are investigating a report of a threatening letter at the office of Democratic Congressman Bobby Rush, but the suspicious material found with the letter turned out to be harmless.

Authorities say the call came from the office just before noon Thursday. By 12:30, a hazardous materials team had detected no harmful material.

Spokeswomen with Chicago's police and fire departments say they have no information about the substance found or the contents of the letter. Rush's office hasn't returned a call seeking comment.

Rush represents a congressional district on the South Side of Chicago. He's forcefully called for the Senate to seat Roland Burris, the man Gov. Rod Blagojevich appointed to fill President-elect Barack Obama's seat.