Buck v. Young et al

Filing 70

ORDER adopting 54 Report and Recommendations; denying 17 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Signed by Judge David R. Herndon on 8/24/2017. (kmb2)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
WILLIAM BUCK
Plaintiff,
v.

No. 3:17-cv-00270-DRH-RJD

DENNIS YOUNG, et al.,
Defendants.
ORDER
HERNDON, District Judge:
Before the Court is a Report and Recommendation (“Report”) (Doc. 54)
submitted by Magistrate Judge Reona J. Daly recommending the Court deny
plaintiff William Buck’s (“Buck”) motion for preliminary injunction (Doc. 17).
Buck has filed an objection (Doc. 60).

Based on the following, the Report is

ADOPTED.
II. BACKGROUND
On May 23, 2017, Buck filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction asserting
claims of retaliatory acts made by prison staff (“defendants”) at Menard
Correctional Center (“Menard”)—where he was then incarcerated (Doc. 17). For
relief, he requested immediate transfer to an equivalent Illinois Department of
Corrections (“IDOC”) maximum security prison 1 (Id.). In response, defendants
argue that Buck’s injunction request is moot; this is because his requested relief—
transfer to a different IDOC facility—has been achieved, and took place when he
1

Buck requested immediate transfer to either Stateville Correctional Center, Pontiac Correctional
Center, or Dixon Correctional Center (Doc. 17 at 3).

was transferred on June 17, 2017 from Menard to Pontiac Correctional Center
(“Pontiac”) (Doc. 44). On July 25, 2017, Magistrate Judge Daley entered a Report
recommending this Court deny Buck’s injunction request after determining his
claim is moot (Doc. 54). Buck filed an objection to the Report, speculating that—
at some point in the future—he would be transferred back to Menard (Doc. 60).
III. DISCUSSION
The district court conducts de novo review of objections made regarding a
magistrate’s Report. The Court may accept, reject, or modify the Report, as well
as, receive further evidence or refer the matter back to the magistrate with
instructions. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C); FED. R. CIV. P. 72(b)(3). Moreover,
record evidence must be viewed with fresh consideration given to objectionable
issues. See Queen v. W.I.C., Inc., 2017 1018399, *2 (S.D. Ill. 2017).
“A preliminary injunction is an extraordinary remedy. It is never awarded
as a matter of right.” Whitaker By Whitaker v. Kenosha Unified Sch. Dist. No. 1

Bd. of Educ., 858 F.3d 1034, 1044 (7th Cir. 2017) (internal citation omitted). In
order to determine whether an injunction is warranted, Buck must demonstrate:
“(1) that he will suffer irreparable harm absent preliminary injunctive relief
during the pendency of this action; (2) inadequate remedies at law exist; and (3)
he has a reasonable likelihood of success on the merits.” Id.
In this case, Buck cannot establish any of the threshold requirements. In
fact, when Buck was transferred to Pontiac, his request for preliminary injunction
was rendered moot. See Pearson v. Welborn, 471 F.3d 732, 743 (7th Cir. 2006)
(holding once prisoner was transferred from correctional facility, his prayers for

relief are moot); Higgason v. Farley, 83 F.3d 807, 811 (7th Cir. 1996) (explaining
when prisoner is transferred to other prison, request for injunction against first
prison is moot unless prisoner demonstrates likelihood of retransfer). Buck’s
suggestion that he will be transferred from Pontiac back to Menard is merely rank
speculation and is not relevant. See Higgason, 83 F.3d at 811 (explaining it was
proper for district court to dismiss claim for injunctive relief where plaintiff’s
allegation of retransfer did not amount to showing or demonstration of likelihood
of retransfer; nothing in record supported plaintiff’s estimate of certainty).
III. CONCLUSION
In the future, if Buck is transferred back to Menard, he will have to start
the process over with a new medical request; and if necessary, a new grievance.
Based on the foregoing, the Court ADOPTS the Report (Doc. 54).

Plaintiff’s

Motion for Preliminary Injunction (Doc. 17) is DENIED.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Signed this 24th day of August, 2017.

Digitally signed by
Judge David R. Herndon
Date: 2017.08.24
14:15:34 -05'00'
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE