PEKIN ( 25News Now ) - After an elderly inmate died, the Tazewell County Jail is undergoing extensive testing and repairs to remove Legionella bacteria from its pipes.

Tazewell County Sheriff Jeffrey Lower said he doesn’t know the final cost for the county yet.

James Pate, 94, accused of killing his 80-year-old wife, Cheryl, in September, died Oct. 6 from Legionnaires’ Disease while being held in jail .

Lower said the department is now working with the Illinois Department of Public Health to flush out the jail pipes, run chlorine through them, and change out the filters.

The Tazewell County Health Department has also stepped in with resources. Health Department Epidemiologist Megan Hanley said the IDPH will probably help create a flushing schedule with the jail.

“At times they wil

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