Opinion
CASE NUMBER 12 C 4491
06-28-2012
Kevin Dean Edwards (#2012-0108130) v. Cook County Municipality, et al.
Name of Assigned Judge
or Magistrate Judge
Sitting Judge if Other
than Assigned Judge
DOCKET ENTRY TEXT
The Court denies Plaintiff's motion for leave to file in forma pauperis [3] without prejudice to reconsideration should he renew his motion in compliance with this order. Plaintiff is granted thirty days to submit an in forma pauperis application on the enclosed form with the information required by § 1915(a)(2) or to pay the full $350 filing fee. The Clerk is directed to send Plaintiff an in forma pauperis application and a copy of this order. Plaintiff's failure to comply with this order will result in dismissal of this case on the understanding that he does not wish to proceed with this action in federal court at this time. ^,
[x] [For further details see text below.]
Docketing to mail notices.
STATEMENT
Plaintiff, a detainee at Cook County Jail has brought this pro se civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S. C. § 1983.
Plaintiff submitted an in forma pauperis application but it is incomplete. Northern District of Illinois Local Rule 3.3 requires that persons lodging new lawsuits must either pay the statutory filing fee or file a petition for leave to proceed in forma pauperis, using the court's form and signing under penalty of perjury. The form requires inmates to obtain a certificate stating the amount of money they have on deposit in their trust fund account. As explained below, the Prison Litigation Reform Act ("PLRA") also requires inmates to provide a certified copy of their trust fund account statement (or institutional equivalent) for the 6-month period immediately preceding the lodging of the complaint. Plaintiff's in forma pauperis application is not certified by the trust fund officer and does not include the trust fund account statement (or institutional equivalent) for the 6-month period immediately preceding the lodging of the complaint. If Plaintiff wants to proceed, he must file a new motion for leave to file in forma pauperis on the court's form and have an authorized official(s) provide information regarding Plaintiff's trust fund account(s), including a copy of his trust fund account(s). Plaintiff must also write the case number in the space provided for it. Failure to complete the required form fully or otherwise comply with this order are grounds for dismissal of the suit. See Zaun v. Dobbin, 628 F.2d 990 (7th Cir. 1980).
The PLRA requires all inmates to pay the full filing fee, even those whose cases are summarily dismissed. The Court must assess an initial partial filing fee on all inmates who bring suit in an amount that is 20% of the greater of:
(A) the average monthly deposits in the prisoner's account; orThe Court will authorize prison officials to deduct the initial filing fee payment directly from Plaintiff's trust fund account. Thereafter, correctional authorities having custody of Plaintiff will have authority (and are required) to make monthly payments to the court of 20% of the preceding month's income credited to the trust fund account until such time as the full filing fee is paid.
(B) the average monthly balance in the prisoner's account for the 6-month period immediately preceding the filing of the complaint or notice of appeal. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1).
To enable the Court to make the necessary initial assessment of the filing fee, Plaintiff must "submit a certified copy of the trust fund account statement (or institutional equivalent) for the prisoner for the 6-month period immediately preceding the filing of the complaint or notice of appeal, obtained from the appropriate official of each prison at which the prisoner is or was confined." 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(2). If Plaintiff wishes to proceed with this case in forma pauperis he must file an in forma pauperis application on the form required by the rules of this court together with a certified copy or copies of his trust fund statements reflecting all activity in his accounts in the immediately preceding six-month period.
Plaintiff is granted thirty days to submit an in forma pauperis application on the enclosed form with the information required by § 1915(a)(2) or to pay the full $350 filing fee. Plaintiff's failure to comply with this order will result in dismissal of this case on the understanding that he does not wish to proceed with this action in federal court at this time.