Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Legionella,Legionnaire's disease,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on October 12, 2025
A recent death prompts action in response to Legionnaires’ disease at Tazewell County Jail. Preventative and reactionary measures are being employed to reduce the risk of staff, detainees, and visitors.
How was the infection discovered? What exactly is Legionnaires’ disease, and how do you know if you have it? What should you do if you become sick?
Here’s what we know so far about Legionnaires’ disease at Tazewell County Jail and what you should know if you have recently visited the facility and developed a respiratory illness.
Have you recently visited (or resided within) Tazewell County Jail? Do you work there? If so, you may have been exposed to a serious, life-threatening bacterial infection.
Legionnaires’ disease.
This potential plumbing hazard causes a pneumonia-like illness that is often attributed to other, mundane infections.
The Legionnaires’ disease problem at Tazewell County Jail was discovered when someone associated with the facility fell sick. A local hospital diagnosed the patient with pneumonia and other health-related complications.
Shortly after, the 93-year-old was determined that they were unlikely to recover from their illness.
Standard processes at the hospital led to healthcare providers testing for an often underdiagnosed pneumonia-like infection. Legionnaires’ disease.
Following discovery of these findings, the hospital notified the Illinois Department of Public Health and Tazewell County Jail.
In response to discovering the connection between the sick patient and Tazewell County Jail, Illinois Department of Health tested the water supply.
Preliminary results showed no Legionella bacteria in the external water supply. However, the facility’s internal system tested positive for the deadly bacteria.
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious, but preventable, illness It is caused by inhaling microscopic Legionella bacteria.
These bacteria are naturally occurring in fresh water sources (lakes, streams, rivers, etc.). It becomes a big problem when they make their way into building water systems.
Cooling towers are a significant source of Legionnaires’ disease. As are other water fixtures like hot tubs, shower faucets, decorative fountains, and dead legs in plumbing. Among others.
If these bacteria are allowed to grow, people can become sick. Some may die.
If you have recently experienced a respiratory illness and have visited, stayed at, or work at Tazewell County Jail, you may have Legionnaires’ disease.
Only specialized laboratory tests can accurately diagnose Legionnaires’ disease.
Legionnaires’ disease is often confused with other pneumonia-like illnesses, as many symptoms overlap for both conditions. It is even indistinguishable from typical pneumonia on a chest x-ray.
Severity of symptoms can vary from person to person.
Symptoms to look out for include:
Other Symptoms may include:
Not everyone who is exposed to Legionella bacteria will become sick. Most normally healthy individuals will not become infected. However, certain groups of people are at higher risk of infection if exposed.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 20 people exposed to Legionella bacteria will become sick. Rates of illness are high. And so is mortality rate. An unfortunate 1 in 10 will die from their infection. When infection occurs in a healthcare setting, this chances of death increase to 1 in 4.
Most people begin feeling sick between two and 14 days after exposure. However, it can take longer for symptoms to appear in some cases.
As with most illnesses, those with a weakened immune system are at higher risk of becoming sick. As are current and even former smokers and those with chronic lung conditions. Conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or emphysema. Those over 50 years of age are also at greater risk of illness after exposure.
The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office is working to minimize risk and prevent future illnesses.
“The health and safety of both our inmates and our staff remain our highest priority,” said Sherrif Jeff Lower. “We are acting swiftly, transparently, and in full cooperation with state and local health experts to address this issue and ensure our facility remains safe for everyone inside.”
About 120 inmates currently reside in the facility. Sherriff Lower said that the agency is working with the Tazewell County State’s Attorney’s Office to reduce the population of the Pekin facility by releasing eligible non-violent inmates. The State’s Attorney’s office will determine which misdemeanor offenders can be released.
Additionally, the jail immediately began using outside water sources.
Bottled water was immediately provided.
The facility is also consulting with the Illinois Department of Public Health for guidance as they navigate mitigation efforts.
Such as:
Meanwhile, the Sherriff’s office is working with the county’s Emergency Management Agency and an outside contractor that specializes in Legionella mitigation, while long-term preventative measures are considered.
If you become sick with pneumonia or flu-like symptoms after visiting, staying, or working at Tazewell County Jail, you may have Legionnaires’ disease.
If you have become sick with pneumonia-like illness, seek medical attention immediately.
Legionnaires’ disease can be deadly. Do not wait!
Request a diagnostic test for Legionnaires’ disease. If your healthcare provider does not suggest one, notify them of the potential exposure risk.
If you test positive for this illness, your local health department will be notified following your diagnosis. Someone may contact you about your illness to ask questions that may help narrow down a source.
If you have become sick from vising, staying, or working at Tazewell County Jail, you may have questions. An experienced Legionnaires’ disease lawyer understands your situation and can assist you through the complicated legal process.
If you wish to pursue a legal claim for financial compensation to cover medical expenses, lost work, caring for a loved one, or other burdens associated with Legionnaires’ disease illness, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Legionnaires’ disease lawyer that can help.
Legionnaires’ disease is a preventable illness. This type of illness spreads when lapses in required maintenance allow the growth of this harmful microorganism.
Call (833) 330-3663 or send us an email for a free, no obligation consultation. A member of our compassionate team will go over the details of your case.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)