MARION — The Marion Square was closed off to the public for parts of Monday morning after a suspicious package was found outside Marion City Hall.

The package was first noticed at about 8:45 a.m. Monday. Marion Police and Fire Departments responded to the scene along with the Illinois Secretary of State Police’s Hazardous Device Unit.

The square was closed for about 2 and a half hours as authorities investigated. The package was cleared of being a threat at about 11 a.m. and regular business resumed at about 11:15.

The Marion Police continue to investigate the origin of the package and will release more information as it becomes available.