Pekin, IL – The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Friday that testing has detected Legionella bacteria in the internal water system of the Tazewell County Jail, prompting a coordinated safety response with state and local health officials.
According to Sheriff Jeffrey Lower, the discovery follows the death of an inmate, James Pate, who had been hospitalized last month with pneumonia and other health complications. Post-treatment analysis revealed that Pate had contracted Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling water mist containing Legionella bacteria.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) conducted testing at the facility and found that while the external water supply tested negative, the internal water system showed positive results for Legionella. The Sheriff’s Office received official confirmation of the findings around 3:15 p.m. Friday.
Sheriff Lower said immediate measures are being taken to reduce risk and treat the facility’s water system, including limiting use of mist-producing water sources, providing bottled drinking water, disinfecting plumbing systems, and adjusting air circulation to minimize aerosol spread. Medical staff are also monitoring inmates and employees for symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
Lower emphasized that the jail is working with IDPH, the Tazewell County Health Department, and Legionella mitigation experts to address the issue. He added that the facility is also evaluating the temporary release of non-violent misdemeanor inmates to reduce population density while mitigation continues.
“The health and safety of both our inmates and staff remain our highest priority,” Sheriff Lower said. “We’re acting swiftly, transparently, and in full cooperation with health experts to ensure our facility remains safe.”
Officials say this remains a developing situation, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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