Webster v. City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois et al

Filing 30

ORDER GRANTING 29 MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney filed by Calvin Webster. Set/Reset Deadlines as to 25 MOTION for Summary Judgment .( Responses due by 11/30/2016). Attorney James W. Eason terminated. Plaintiff proceeding pro se. Signed by Magistrate Judge Donald G. Wilkerson on 10/18/16. (sgp)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
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Plaintiff,
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v.
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CITY OF MT. VERNON, ILLINOIS and MT.)
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VERNON POLICE DEPARTMENT,
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Defendants.
CALVIN WEBSTER,

Case No. 3:15-cv-759-JPG-DGW

ORDER
WILKERSON, Magistrate Judge:
Now pending before the Court is the Motion to Withdraw as Counsel filed by Plaintiff,
Calvin Webster on October 3, 2016 (Doc. 29). Plaintiff’s counsel, James Eason, has indicated
that here has been a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship. The Motion is GRANTED.
James Eason is terminated as counsel.
Pursuant to Local Rule 83.1(g), Plaintiff’s new counsel shall enter an appearance by
November 10, 2016. If Plaintiff does not acquire new counsel, he shall file with the Clerk of
Court a notice indicating his current address by November 10, 2016.
In the event that Plaintiff elects to proceed pro se in this matter, he is further notified that
currently pending is a Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Defendants on August 20, 2016
(Doc. 25). The response to that motion was due by October 3, 2016. No response has been filed.
In light of the posture of his case, that deadline is extended to November 30, 2016.
As a pro se litigant, a person who is not represented by counsel in this matter, you are
entitled to notice of the consequences of failing to respond to the Motion for Summary Judgment.
Timms v. Frank, 953 F.2d 281 (7th Cir. 1992); Lewis v. Faulkner, 689 F.2d 100 (7th Cir. 1982).

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Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 provides, in relevant part:
(a) Motion for Summary Judgment or Partial Summary Judgment. A party
may move for summary judgment, identifying each claim or defense--or the part of
each claim or defense--on which summary judgment is sought. The court shall
grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to
any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. The
court should state on the record the reasons for granting or denying the motion.
***
(c) Procedures.
(1) Supporting Factual Positions. A party asserting that a fact cannot be or
is genuinely disputed must support the assertion by:
(A) citing to particular parts of materials in the record, including
depositions, documents, electronically stored information,
affidavits or declarations, stipulations (including those made for
purposes of the motion only), admissions, interrogatory answers, or
other materials; or
(B) showing that the materials cited do not establish the absence or
presence of a genuine dispute, or that an adverse party cannot
produce admissible evidence to support the fact.
(2) Objection That a Fact Is Not Supported by Admissible Evidence. A
party may object that the material cited to support or dispute a fact cannot
be presented in a form that would be admissible in evidence.
(3) Materials Not Cited. The court need consider only the cited materials,
but it may consider other materials in the record.
(4) Affidavits or Declarations. An affidavit or declaration used to support
or oppose a motion must be made on personal knowledge, set out facts that
would be admissible in evidence, and show that the affiant or declarant is
competent to testify on the matters stated.
***
(e) Failing to Properly Support or Address a Fact. If a party fails to properly
support an assertion of fact or fails to properly address another party's assertion of
fact as required by Rule 56(c), the court may:
(1) give an opportunity to properly support or address the fact;

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(2) consider the fact undisputed for purposes of the motion;
(3) grant summary judgment if the motion and supporting
materials--including the facts considered undisputed--show that the movant
is entitled to it; or
(4) issue any other appropriate order.
This Rule provides that any factual assertion or statement made in the movant’s affidavits and/or
other documentary evidence will be taken as true by the Court unless the non-movant contradicts
the movant with counter-affidavits and/or other documentary evidence. You may not rely on the
allegations in the pleadings to support your claim: you must show by affidavit or other
documentary evidence that there is a genuine dispute as to a material fact. If you do not respond
to the Motion for Summary Judgment with affidavits or other documentary evidence, the Court
may grant judgment on one or more of your claims to the Defendant(s) and this matter may be
terminated. The failure to file a response within the deadline “may, in the Court’s discretion, be
considered an admission of the merits of the motion.” SDIL-LR 7.1(c).
Attorney Eason is ORDERED to serve a copy of this Order upon Plaintiff within 7 days of
entry. The Clerk of Court is further DIRECTED to mail a copy of this Order to Plaintiff at his
last known address, 1000 South 24th St., Mt. Vernon, Illinois 62864.
DATED: October 18, 2016

DONALD G. WILKERSON
United States Magistrate Judge

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