Updated September 29, 2026. Legionella bacteria have been confirmed in the hot tub water system at the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago North Shore/Evanston, where two Legionnaires’ disease cases were reported.
According to the City of Evanston’s September 18 update, both people reported being in the pool and hot tub areas in August. Samples from other hotel areas did not detect Legionella.
People who recently stayed at or visited the hotel and then developed pneumonia symptoms should tell their healthcare provider about the possible exposure. Legionnaires’ disease is a serious form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, and travel history can be important to diagnosis and public-health investigation.
Pritzker Hageman’s Legionnaires’ disease lawyers represent people sickened in hotel, resort, healthcare, apartment, and other Legionella outbreaks nationwide. If you or a family member was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease after staying at or visiting the Evanston Hilton Garden Inn, our legal team can investigate the exposure and explain your legal options.
Diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease?
What We Know About the Evanston Hilton Garden Inn Legionnaires’ Disease Cases
- Cases: Two people associated with the hotel have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease.
- Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Chicago North Shore/Evanston, 1818 Maple Avenue, Evanston, Illinois.
- Public-health response: Evanston Health and Human Services is investigating with the Illinois Department of Public Health.
- Pool and hot tub: Pool and hot tub areas closed September 2.
- Testing: Legionella detected in the hot tub water system.
What Did Evanston Health Officials Announce?
Evanston health officials confirmed two cases of Legionnaires’ disease linked to the Hilton Garden Inn North Shore/Evanston at 1818 Maple Avenue. The city reported that both people had been in the hotel’s pool and hot tub areas in August. Those areas closed September 2, and the hotel notified guests.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) conducted water sampling and an environmental investigation on September 8. Laboratory testing detected Legionella bacteria in the water system associated with the hot tub. Samples from other areas of the hotel did not detect the bacteria.
IDPH provided the hotel with remediation guidance. The city said the spa would remain closed until remediation was complete but did not announce a reopening date.
How Do Investigators Find the Source of a Hotel Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak?
Investigators identify the source of a hotel Legionnaires’ disease outbreak by comparing guests’ exposure histories, medical test results, and environmental samples from the hotel’s water systems. Finding Legionella in hotel water is one piece of evidence. Investigators must also determine whether that source explains when and how people became sick.
Establish When and Where Exposure Occurred
Investigators document when each person’s symptoms began and where they spent time before becoming ill. Hotel stays, showers, hot tub use, and time spent near equipment that produces water mist can help identify shared exposures.
Inspect and Test the Hotel’s Water Systems
According to the CDC’s environmental sampling guidance, investigators select sampling locations using information about the illnesses, the building’s water systems, and its water-management program. Potential sampling points include:
- Guest-room showers and faucets
- Water heaters, storage tanks, and hot-water return lines
- Hot tubs and spas
- Cooling towers and decorative fountains
- Swimming pools when the investigation indicates testing is appropriate
Compare Patient and Environmental Samples
When suitable samples are available, laboratories compare Legionella from patients with bacteria collected from the hotel’s water systems. A close match can strengthen the evidence connecting illnesses to a particular source. Investigators evaluate those findings alongside exposure histories and illness timelines.
Review Water Management and Maintenance Records
Investigators examine how the hotel monitored and maintained its water systems before the illnesses occurred. The CDC recommends water-management programs for hotels and resorts to control Legionella growth and spread. Maintenance logs, water-temperature readings, disinfectant records, and corrective actions can help explain conditions that allowed bacteria to grow.
Evaluate the Evidence for a Legal Claim
Pritzker Hageman’s Legionnaires’ disease case investigation brings together medical records, laboratory findings, exposure histories, public-health reports, and water-management records. Our attorneys use that evidence to investigate where exposure occurred, whether failures in maintenance or water management contributed, and who may be legally responsible.
Was Legionella Found in the Evanston Hilton Garden Inn’s Pool or Hot Tub?
Yes. Testing confirmed Legionella bacteria in the water system associated with the hotel’s hot tub. According to the City of Evanston’s September 18 update, samples from other areas of the hotel did not detect Legionella. Officials did not report a positive swimming pool sample.
Both people diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease reported being in the pool and hot tub areas in August. These shared exposure histories and the positive hot tub findings are important evidence, but environmental testing alone does not establish where each person became infected.
Hot tubs can spread Legionella through contaminated water mist. Warm water can support bacterial growth, and jets can release droplets that people breathe while in or near the hot tub.
The pool and hot tub areas closed September 2. In its September 18 announcement, the city said the spa would remain closed until remediation was complete.
What Symptoms Should Recent Hilton Garden Inn Evanston Guests Watch For?
If you recently stayed at or visited the Hilton Garden Inn Evanston and are now experiencing cough, fever, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of pneumonia, seek medical care and tell your healthcare provider about your hotel stay. Legionnaires’ disease is a serious form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria.
Symptoms usually begin 2 to 14 days after exposure, although they can sometimes appear later. Common symptoms include:
- Cough
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue or weakness
- Confusion
- Diarrhea or nausea
If you are experiencing symptoms, tell your healthcare provider that you recently stayed at or visited the Hilton Garden Inn Evanston, provide the dates of your visit, and mention the reported Legionnaires’ disease cases. Ask specifically to be tested for Legionella.
Who Is at Higher Risk for Legionnaires’ Disease?
The CDC identifies several groups at higher risk of developing Legionnaires’ disease or serious illness after exposure:
- Adults age 50 and older
- Current or former smokers
- People with chronic lung disease such as COPD or emphysema
- People with weakened immune systems or who take medicines that suppress immunity
- People with cancer
- People with underlying illnesses such as diabetes, kidney failure or liver failure
People in higher-risk groups should be especially prompt about seeking medical attention if pneumonia symptoms develop after a possible exposure.
What Should You Do If You Were Diagnosed After Staying at the Hilton Garden Inn Evanston?
If you were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease after staying at or visiting the Hilton Garden Inn Evanston, document your illness and your time at the hotel as thoroughly as possible. Knowing what to do after a Legionnaires’ disease diagnosis can help preserve information that may be important to the public health investigation and any potential legal claim.
Keep records related to your stay, including hotel reservations, receipts, confirmation emails, and any notice you received from the property. Write down the dates you were at the hotel and the areas you used or spent time near, such as your guest room, pool, hot tub, fitness area, restaurant, lobby, or other shared spaces.
You should also keep copies of Legionella test results, hospital discharge paperwork, medical records, and medical bills. Save any photos, videos, emails, or text messages connected to your stay, and make note of when your symptoms began, when you first sought medical care, and when you received a diagnosis.
This information can help establish a clear timeline of your illness and possible exposure. It may also help public health investigators determine whether people who became sick shared common locations or water exposures at the hotel.
Can I Sue a Hotel for Legionnaires’ Disease?
Yes. You may be able to sue a hotel for Legionnaires’ disease if scientific evidence connects your illness to Legionella contamination in the hotel’s water system.
Determining whether an illness is connected to a hotel requires an investigation. In a hotel Legionnaires’ disease lawsuit, important evidence can include:
- When you stayed at the hotel and when your symptoms began
- Medical testing confirming Legionnaires’ disease
- Other Legionnaires’ disease cases associated with the hotel
- Legionella testing from the hotel’s water system
- Water-management and maintenance records
- Information about possible exposure sources, such as showers, hot tubs, pools, or cooling towers
Hotel Legionnaires’ disease cases may involve failures to properly maintain or manage a building water system, allowing Legionella bacteria to grow and spread. Pritzker Hageman has represented people sickened by Legionella exposure from hotel water systems, hot tubs, and cooling towers.
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Talk to a Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyer
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease after a hotel stay or another possible Legionella exposure, Pritzker Hageman can help you understand what may have caused the illness and what options may be available.
Our Legionnaires’ disease lawyers represent people nationwide in cases involving hotels, resorts, hot tubs, plumbing systems, cooling towers, and other sources of Legionella exposure.
A consultation is free and confidential. Call 1-888-377-8900, text 612-261-0856, or contact us online to speak with our legal team. There is no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Evanston Hilton Garden Inn Legionnaires’ Disease Investigation
Yes. Evanston health officials reported two confirmed cases linked to the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago North Shore/Evanston. Both people spent time in the pool and hot tub areas in August 2026.
Yes. In its September 18 update, the City of Evanston confirmed Legionella bacteria in the water system associated with the hotel’s hot tub. Samples from other hotel areas did not detect the bacteria. Officials
No. You do not have to get into a hot tub to be exposed to Legionella. If a hot tub contains Legionella, the jets can create a fine mist or small water droplets that people nearby may breathe in. Hot tubs are only one possible source. Legionella can grow and spread from multiple types of building water systems and devices, including showers, faucets, hot-water systems, cooling towers, and decorative water features. Exposure can occur when contaminated water becomes airborne and is inhaled.
Symptoms usually begin 2 to 14 days after exposure, although longer incubation periods can occur. Evanston officials advised people who had visited the hotel within the prior two weeks and were experiencing pneumonia symptoms to consult a medical provider.
Keep your reservation confirmation, hotel folio or receipt, guest notices, dates of stay, photos or videos, and copies of medical and Legionella test records you receive. These materials can help document when and where you were present and can support both public health and legal investigation.
If you have a confirmed Legionnaires’ disease diagnosis and stayed at or visited a location under investigation, an early legal consultation can help preserve records and evaluate the exposure. Pritzker Hageman offers free consultations and represents Legionnaires’ disease clients nationwide.
Additional Information About Legionnaires’ Disease
- Legionnaires’ Disease Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Where Does Legionnaires’ Disease Come From?
- Legionnaires’ Disease: Symptoms and Diagnosis
- What to do if You Contract Legionnaires’ Disease
- Legionnaires’ Disease: Determining Liability
- Legionnaires’ Disease: Lawsuits and Compensation
- Legionnaires’ Disease: Wrongful Death Cases
- Finding a Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyer
- Filing a Legionnaires’ Disease Lawsuit
- The Importance of Water Management Plans
We have obtained 100+ separate verdicts and settlements greater than $1 million:
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We obtained this settlement on behalf of six people impacted by a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak linked to a hotel hot tub.
Our client contracted Legionnaires’ disease at a hotel and was hospitalized for eight weeks.
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Our client contracted Legionnaires’ disease at a hotel and was hospitalized for over a month.
On behalf of a women hospitalized for over two months from a contaminated hotel hot tub in Myrtle Beach.
We obtained this settlement for a woman sickened with Legionnaires’ disease after being exposed in a hotel hot tub.
We obtained this settlement for the family of a 52-year old man who died of Legionnaires’ disease linked to a hotel.
We collected this on behalf of a client who contracted Legionnaires’ disease from contaminated water at a hotel.
We recovered this settlement for the family of a 50-year old man who died of Legionnaires’ disease after being exposed to legionella bacteria at a hotel.
Collected on behalf of the family of a man who died as a result of Legionnaires’ Disease contracted while staying at a Wisconsin resort.
We obtained this on behalf of a man hospitalized after Legionella bacteria exposure at a hotel.
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