Update: Officials on the scene said both police and secret service alerts claiming the suitcase tested positive for explosive material were premature.
An alert from the Secret Service said that a K-9 unit made a positive hit on a suitcase that was discovered under the tracks of a Metra Electric train near 57th Street and Lake Park around 8:20 a.m..
The package was reportedly empty, but the U.S. Secret Service said the threat was actual and severe in an email blast. Officials on the scene walked back that alert, claiming the information was premature.
Belinda Lipscomb, who owns Cafe 57, called in suspicious suitcase as she was trying to open. A police source on scene confirmed that the package had tested positive for something but was empty . The source later retracted the statement.
Inbound and outbound Metra Electric trains were stopped at 57th and Lake Park while police investigated the package. Around 10 a.m. authorities gave the all clear signal for trains to resume after the package had been removed.
Train service should resume shortly.
Chicago authorities are on high-alert because of a deluge of NATO protesters in the city.
