Gates v. Scott ( 2020 )

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS Jerry L. Gates, ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) 20-4044 ) Grace B. Hou, et al. ) ) Defendants. ) ) ) MERIT REVIEW ORDER The plaintiff, proceeding pro se and presently detained at the Rushville Treatment and Detention Facility (“TDF”) is requesting leave to proceed under a reduced payment procedure for indigent plaintiffs who are institutionalized but are not prisoners as defined in 28 U.S.C. Section 1915(h). The “privilege to proceed without posting security for costs and fees is reserved to the many truly impoverished litigants who, within the District Court’s sound discretion, would remain without legal remedy if such privilege were not afforded to them.” Brewster v. North Am. Van Lines, Inc., 461 F.2d 649, 651 (7th Circ. 1972). Additionally, a court must dismiss cases proceeding in forma pauperis “at any time” if the action is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim, even if part of the filing fee has been paid. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d)(2). Accordingly, this court grants leave to proceed in forma pauperis only if the complaint states a federal action. In reviewing the complaint, the court accepts the factual allegations as true, liberally construing them in the plaintiff's favor. Turley v. Rednour, 729 F.3d 645, 649 (7th Cir. 2013). However, conclusory statements and labels are insufficient. Enough facts must be provided to “state a claim for relief that is plausible on its face.” Alexander v. U.S., 721 F.3d 418, 422 (7th Cir. 2013)(citation omitted). Plaintiff alleges that TDF officials impermissibly restrict and monitor his access to several websites and that they have denied his requests for computer and technology training. Plaintiff alleges that these restrictions and denials inhibit his ability to learn about current events, to check employment ads, to engage in the “modern public square,” and otherwise “explor[e] the vast realms of thought and knowledge.” Plaintiff states a First Amendment claim against Defendants Scott and Kunkel for the alleged denial of access to websites and the means to access that information. Munson v. Gaetz, 673 F.3d 630, 633 (7th Cir. 2012). TDF officials may have legitimate reasons for these restrictions, but that determination should await a more developed record. No plausible inference arises that Defendants Hou and Coleman are responsible for the restrictions Plaintiff alleges. Plaintiff cannot sue these individuals just because they are in charge. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 676 (2009). It is therefore ordered: 1. Pursuant to its merit review of the Complaint under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A, the court finds that the plaintiff states a First Amendment claim against Defendants Scott and Kunkel. Any additional claims shall not be included in the case, except at the court’s discretion on motion by a party for good cause shown or pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15. 2. This case is now in the process of service. The plaintiff is advised to wait until counsel has appeared for the defendants before filing any motions, in order to give the defendants notice and an opportunity to respond to those motions. Motions filed before defendants' counsel has filed an appearance will generally be denied as premature. The plaintiff need not submit any evidence to the court at this time, unless otherwise directed by the court. 3. The court will attempt service on the defendants by mailing each defendant a waiver of service. The defendants have 60 days from the date the waiver is sent to file an answer. If the defendants have not filed answers or appeared through counsel within 90 days of the entry of this order, the plaintiff may file a motion requesting the status of service. After the defendants have been served, the court will enter an order setting discovery and dispositive motion deadlines. 4. With respect to a defendant who no longer works at the address provided by the plaintiff, the entity for whom that defendant worked while at that address shall provide to the clerk said defendant's current work address, or, if not known, said defendant's forwarding address. This information shall be used only for effectuating service. Documentation of forwarding addresses shall be retained only by the clerk and shall not be maintained in the public docket nor disclosed by the clerk. 5. The defendants shall file an answer within 60 days of the date the waiver is sent by the clerk. A motion to dismiss is not an answer. The answer should include all defenses appropriate under the Federal Rules. The answer and subsequent pleadings shall be to the issues and claims stated in this opinion. In general, an answer sets forth the defendants' positions. The court does not rule on the merits of those positions unless and until a motion is filed by the defendants. Therefore, no response to the answer is necessary or will be considered. 6. This district uses electronic filing, which means that, after defense counsel has filed an appearance, defense counsel will automatically receive electronic notice of any motion or other paper filed by the plaintiff with the clerk. The plaintiff does not need to mail to defense counsel copies of motions and other papers that the plaintiff has filed with the clerk. However, this does not apply to discovery requests and responses. Discovery requests and responses are not filed with the clerk. The plaintiff must mail his discovery requests and responses directly to defendants' counsel. Discovery requests or responses sent to the clerk will be returned unfiled, unless they are attached to and the subject of a motion to compel. Discovery does not begin until defense counsel has filed an appearance and the court has entered a scheduling order, which will explain the discovery process in more detail. 7. Counsel for the defendants is hereby granted leave to depose the plaintiff at his place of confinement. Counsel for the defendants shall arrange the time for the deposition. 8. The plaintiff shall immediately notify the court, in writing, of any change in his mailing address and telephone number. The plaintiff's failure to notify the court of a change in mailing address or phone number will result in dismissal of this lawsuit, with prejudice. 9. If a defendant fails to sign and return a waiver of service to the clerk within 30 days after the waiver is sent, the court will take appropriate steps to effect formal service through the U.S. Marshals service on that defendant and will require that defendant to pay the full costs of formal service pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(d)(2). 10. The clerk is directed to enter the standard qualified protective order pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. 11. The clerk is directed to terminate Grace Hou and Sharon Coleman as defendants. 12. The clerk is directed to attempt service on Gregg Scott and Eric Kunkel pursuant to the standard procedures. 13. Plaintiff’s petition for leave to proceed in forma pauperis [3] is granted. 14. Plaintiff filed a Motion to Request Counsel [6]. Plaintiff has no constitutional or statutory right to counsel in this case. In considering the Plaintiff’s motion, the court asks: (1) has the indigent Plaintiff made a reasonable attempt to obtain counsel or been effectively precluded from doing so; and if so, (2) given the difficulty of the case, does the plaintiff appear competent to litigate it himself? Pruitt v. Mote, 503 F.3d 647, 654-55 (7th Cir. 2007). Letters Plaintiff attached to his motion appear related to another lawsuit Plaintiff filed. Compare Gates v. Hou, No. 19-4201 C.D. Ill., filed Oct. 10, 2019). Nonetheless, the Court finds that Plaintiff satisfied the first prong. Plaintiff has personal knowledge of the facts, he has been able to adequately convey them to the Court, and he should be able to obtain relevant documents via discovery. This case does not appear overly complex, nor does it appear to require expert testimony. Plaintiff’s motion [6] is denied with leave to renew. Entered this 30th day of March, 2020. ___s_/_ H__a_r_o_l_d_ _A_._ B__a_k_e_r_______________________ HAROLD A. BAKER UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE