Tazewell County Jail Addresses Legionella Outbreak
The Tazewell County Jail in Pekin is undergoing extensive testing and repairs to remove Legionella bacteria from its pipes after an elderly inmate died from Legionnaire’s disease.
James Pate, 94, accused of killing his 80-year-old wife, Cheryl, in September, died on October 6 while being held in jail. Tazewell County Sheriff Jeffrey Lower stated that the department is working with the Illinois Department of Public Health to address the issue.
- Flushing out the jail pipes
- Running chlorine through them
- Changing out the filters
The Tazewell County Health Department is also providing resources, with Epidemiologist Megan Hanley noting that the IDPH will help create a flushing schedule with the jail.
The final cost for the county is not yet known, according to Sheriff Lower.
Author's summary: Tazewell County Jail undergoes repairs after inmate dies from Legionnaire’s disease.