2 Confirmed Legionnaires' Disease Cases Linked To Pool Area At Evanston Hotel

EVANSTON, IL — Two confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been linked to the pool area at a Downtown Evanston hotel, city officials announced last week.

According to the city’s notice, two confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease were linked to the Hilton Garden Inn North Shore/Evanston at 1818 Maple Ave. Both confirmed cases reported being in the pool and hot tub areas in August 2026. Those areas have been closed since Sept. 2, the city said.

However, a notice on the home page of the hotel's website states that the areas were closed on Sept. 11 for "maintenance purposes." The pool and hot tub will be closed until Oct. 10, officials said.

In an update released Friday, the Illinois Department of Public Health said it conducted water sampling and an environmental investigation at the hotel on Sept. 8. Laboratory testing confirmed the presence of Legionella bacteria in the water system associated with the hot tub, while water samples from other areas of the hotel did not detect Legionella.

The hotel has received guidance from IDPH on proper remediation of the affected areas, according to the city. The spa will remain closed until the full remediation process is completed.

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious lung infection, or pneumonia, that people can get within two weeks of inhaling small droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria. The disease is not transmitted person-to-person.

Outbreaks are most commonly associated with buildings or structures that have complex water systems, including hotels, hospitals, long-term care facilities and cruise ships. The bacterium can become a health concern when it grows and spreads in human-made water systems such as hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems and decorative fountains.

People who visited the Hilton Garden Inn within the last two weeks and are experiencing symptoms of pneumonia, including cough, shortness of breath, fever and fatigue, should consult their medical provider for further guidance. The hotel has notified guests who may have been impacted, according to the city.