The Illinois Department of Public Health is taking steps to prevent more people in a Quincy veterans’ home from contracting Legionnaires’ disease.

23 cases have been confirmed and two people have died.

Because Legionnaires’ disease is spread through water, not from person to person, IDPH Director Dr. Nirav Shah says checking water systems is the best prevention method.

There’s little risk of the bacteria spreading outside the home, Shah says. He also warns that due to the water-borne origin of Legionnaires’ disease, it’s difficult to do anything beforehand to prevent the bacteria from getting into a facility in the first place.

And in other State news, it must be close to the end of summer – Illinois’ second state fair has begun.

Patrick Buchen, hired this year to manage the Illinois State Fair, also oversees the Du Quoin State Fair, which began Friday and continues through Labor Day.

Anytime somebody questions why there is a Du Quoin State Fair, the answer has something to do with the economic impact on Southern Illinois.

Grandstand entertainment this year includes Trace Adkins, Collective Soul, American Authors and Montgomery Gentry.