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Outbreak Summary

The Illinois Department of Public Health is investigating an outbreak of E. coli illnesses believed to be traced back to a location of the Portillo’s restaurant chain in Glendale Heights, Illinois. At least four people became ill with an E. coli infection after eating at the Portillo’s location on July 16th and July 17th.

OFT has been retained by a woman who was sickened and hospitalized after eating food from this Portillo’s location on July 16th. OFT has filed a lawsuit against Portillo’s on her behalf in the Law Division of Cook County Circuit Court (case number 2021-L-8213). A copy of the complaint is available upon request.

OFT’s E. Coli lawyers are actively investigating this outbreak, and this page will update as we uncover more information. If you or a loved believe you were sickened in this outbreak, please call or contact us using the form on the page for a free consultation.

More Details

E. Coli Outbreak Linked to Portillo’s Restaurant in Glendale Heights, Illinois

Common Symptoms of E. coli

Symptoms of an E. coli infection can vary, but the most common indications of an infection are:

  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Diarrhea/Bloody stool
  • Vomiting
  • A slight fever

Like many bacteria and viruses, E. coli has an incubation period. This is a delay between when someone is exposed to the bacteria and when that person displays symptoms. For E. coli, the incubation period can last between one and 10 days, with an average of three-four days for when symptoms begin to show.

E. coli often starts as an upset stomach and non-bloody diarrhea, which will then escalate over several days.

E. Coli Infections Can Lead to Serious Complications

Up to 10% of individuals suffering from an E. coli infection develop HUS, which is a life-threatening condition. HUS develops about seven days after the first E. coli symptoms appear and when the diarrhea is improving. HUS can cause a person’s kidneys to stop working. If you notice the signs, you should get yourself or loved one to the hospital for treatment right away.

Symptoms of HUS include:

  • Fatigue
  • Frequent urination
  • Loss of pink color in cheeks and lower eyelids

Many people diagnosed with HUS recover within a few weeks with proper treatment. However, HUS can cause permanent physical harm or even death.

Contact us for more information

OFT Law offers free consultations to anybody potentially impacted by the outbreak. Our food poisoning lawyers have helped get compensation for thousands of clients, and we’d love for you to be next. Call us at (866) 395-8498 today to learn more about how we can best serve you.

Notable Recoveries

$10 million

Seven infants were sickened after consuming a contaminated food product marketed to infants

$6.5 million

Verdict on behalf of a little boy who contracted a severe Salmonella infection from chicken

$7.55 million

Verdict on behalf of a little girl who contracted E. coli at a petting zoo

$2.25 million

E. coli infections contracted from a major fast food chain

$45 million

An over-the-counter medication caused severe kidney damage to multiple users

$3.4 million

A pregnant woman contracted a Listeria infection from contaminated fruit and passed the infection to her child

$3 million

Multistate Cyclospora outbreaks

$275,000

A couple contracted Salmonella from a restaurant

$525,000

A pedestrian was struck by a left-turning car, fracturing her tibia

$700,000

A semi-truck rear-ended a motorcyclist causing a collapsed lung, rib fractures and road rash