January 22, 2026
NEW YORK, NY — Illinois officials have confirmed a new case of Legionnaires’ disease at a state-run healthcare facility, prompting renewed concerns about water safety and infection prevention in government-operated institutions.
On January 20, the Illinois Departments of Public Health and Human Services announced that a resident at the Shapiro Developmental Center in Kankakee was diagnosed with the potentially deadly respiratory illness. While the patient’s condition has not been disclosed due to privacy laws, state agencies confirmed that water systems at the facility have been tested and results are pending.
The departments said they are continuing to monitor residents and staff for symptoms and are working with employees to implement additional safety measures.
The Shapiro Developmental Center provides care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, many of whom also have complex medical or behavioral needs. It is considered the largest residential facility for people with developmental disabilities in the United States.
Public health experts warn that residents in healthcare facilities face significantly higher risks from Legionnaires’ disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the fatality rate for patients who contract the illness in healthcare settings is two-and-a-half times higher than for those who become infected in private residences.
A nationally recognized Legionnaires’ disease attorney says the case highlights a recurring problem: aging infrastructure and insufficient preventative maintenance at publicly operated facilities.
“Testing the water after someone becomes ill is not enough,” said Ronald Katter of The Katter Law Firm, who represents victims of Legionnaires’ disease nationwide. “These facilities serve medically vulnerable populations. The state must be proactive — not reactive — when it comes to water management and infection prevention.”
Katter emphasized that Legionnaires’ disease is largely preventable through routine monitoring, proper disinfection, and comprehensive water management plans.
“When the government operates healthcare facilities, it has an even greater responsibility to ensure that basic safety systems are working properly,” he said. “No patient should become seriously ill because preventable maintenance was overlooked.”
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which can grow in building water systems such as cooling towers, plumbing, showers, and decorative fountains if not properly maintained.
Health officials urge anyone experiencing symptoms — including cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, or headaches — to seek medical attention promptly.
Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia, is contracted by inhaling aerosolized water droplets containing Legionella bacteria. Cooling towers, hot tubs, and other warm-water systems are common sources. According to the CDC, most outbreaks are preventable with proper water-system maintenance and monitoring.