Wells Sr v. Higgins et al

Filing 11

MERIT REVIEW OPINION - Entered by Judge Harold A. Baker on 1/17/2017. Rule 16 Deadline 3/20/2017. See written Order. The clerk is directed to enter the standard qualified protective order pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The clerk is directed to attempt service on the defendants pursuant to the standard procedures. (LN, ilcd)

E-FILED

Tuesday, 17 January, 2017 12:15:36 PM
Clerk, U.S. District Court, ILCD
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
RONALD LEE WELLS, SR.,
Plaintiff,
v.
K. HIGGINS, et al.,
Defendant.

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16-CV-1430

MERIT REVIEW AND CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER
The plaintiff, proceeding pro se, and currently incarcerated in the Menard
Correctional Center (“Menard”), was granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis. The
case is now before the court for a merit review of plaintiff’s claims. The court is
required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915A to “screen” the plaintiff’s complaint, and through such
process to identify and dismiss any legally insufficient claim, or the entire action if
warranted. A claim is legally insufficient if it “(1) is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state
a claim upon which relief may be granted; or (2) seeks monetary relief from a defendant
who is immune from such relief.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915A.
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). The court has reviewed the
complaint and has also held a merit review hearing in order to give the plaintiff a
chance to personally explain his claims to the court.
The plaintiff is now at Menard, but his lawsuit arises out of conduct which
occurred when he was at the Pontiac Correctional Center (“Pontiac”). Plaintiff alleges
that officials at Pontiac failed to follow a state court order that requires plaintiff’s legal
documents to be transferred to Pontiac, and that Pontiac officials refused to provide him
access to same. Plaintiff stated in open Court that these legal documents pertained to
his state court proceedings. Plaintiff also alleges, in his Complaint, that, after going on a
hunger strike because he was not given access to his legal documents, the defendants
retaliated against him by breaking the seals on his legal property against departmental
rules, threatening the plaintiff with segregation if he kept complaining, thwarting
plaintiff’s attempts to file grievances, and confiscating or destroying his legal property.
Plaintiff’s complaint states two First Amendment claims for (1) access to the
courts for depriving plaintiff of access to his legal documents (see Marshall v. Knight, 445

F.3d 965, 968 (7th Cir. 2006); and (2) retaliation (see Bridges v. Gilbert, 557 F.3d 541, 553
(7th Circ. 2009), and the case will proceed accordingly.
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 First Amendment claims for access to the courts and
retaliation against the named defendants. 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 attempt service on the defendants pursuant to the
standard procedures.
Entered this 17th day of January, 2017
/s/ Harold A. Baker
___________________________________________
HAROLD A. BAKER
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE