The Tazewell County Sheriff's Office has enacted a series of precautionary measures at the Tazewell County Jail after a 94-year-old inmate contracted the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease.

When the health of inmate James Pate began to deteriorate last month, he was transported to a local hospital for treatment and was diagnosed with pneumonia and several other health-related complications, according to Tazewell County Sheriff Jeffrey Lower.

Medical professionals advised that Pate was unlikely to recover, and he was furloughed into hospice care, and he died. Through the hospital's standard post-treatment processes, it was determined that Pate had contracted Legionnaires' disease.

Pate was in jail awaiting trial on two counts of first-degree murder for in the stabbing death of his 80-year-old wife last month.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) subsequently conducted testing at the Tazewell County Jail. Preliminary results indicated that although the external water supply tested negative, the internal water system tested positive for the presence of legionella bacteria.

The Sheriff's Office has enacted measures to protect inmates and staff that include providing bottled water, utilizing outside water sources and consulting with IDPH for guidance. The Sheriff's Office received confirmation that official culture test results were positive for legionella bacteria in the facility's internal water system at about 3:15 p.m. Friday.

Lower is working with the Tazewell County State's Attorney's Office to identify and release eligible non-violent misdemeanor inmates to reduce population density within the facility. The jail houses approximately 120 inmates.

"The health and safety of both our inmates and our staff remain our highest priority," he said. "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."