Case: Boyd v. Godinez

3:12-cv-00704 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois

Filed Date: June 13, 2012

Closed Date: Sept. 7, 2017

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a conditions of confinement suit brought by the putative class of prisoners at the Vienna Correctional Center ("Vienna"), a minimum security Illinois state prison, against the Illinois Department of Corrections. The case was filed by private counsel and the Uptown People's Law Center, on June 13, 2012. It alleges disgusting and crowded conditions in violation of the Eighth Amendment-1900 prisoners housed in a facility meant for 925, rampant vermin, contaminated food, heat and ventilatio…

This is a conditions of confinement suit brought by the putative class of prisoners at the Vienna Correctional Center ("Vienna"), a minimum security Illinois state prison, against the Illinois Department of Corrections. The case was filed by private counsel and the Uptown People's Law Center, on June 13, 2012. It alleges disgusting and crowded conditions in violation of the Eighth Amendment-1900 prisoners housed in a facility meant for 925, rampant vermin, contaminated food, heat and ventilation problems, and endemic mold and mildew.

By April 2013, the parties had engaged in settlement discussions. In August of 2013, the plaintiffs filed an unopposed motion for class certification for settlement purposes. However, District Judge J. Phil Gilbert held that, as the named plaintiffs had all been released from Vienna, the proposed class was not adequately represented by the current named plaintiffs. The Court reserved ruling on the motion until plaintiffs either found a suitable class representative, or made a compelling argument to the Court that the current named plaintiffs were adequate class representatives. Boyd v. Godinez, Civil Action No. 3:12-cv-704-JPG-PMF, 2013 WL 5230238 (S.D. Ill. Sept. 16, 2013).

Plaintiffs subsequently amended their complaint to add a named plaintiff who was currently incarcerated at Vienna, but also argued that the "inherently transitory" exception to the mootness doctrine should apply in this case. Judge Gilbert held that the plaintiffs had not adequately explained their inherently transitory argument, especially in light of the fact that they had successfully found a putative class representative and added him to their complaint. Nevertheless, having secured an adequate class representative, the Court granted the plaintiffs' unopposed motion to certify a class for settlement purposes.

In light of the progress made toward settlement, the District Court vacated the pretrial schedule in December 2013. The parties engaged in settlement discussions for several years, but in May 2016 they notified the Court that the discussions had stalled and they desired to proceed with litigation.

On June 7, 2016, the case was reassigned to Chief Judge Michael J. Reagan. Judge Reagan scheduled a jury trial for March 26, 2018.

On August 15, 2016, the Court issued an order directing the plaintiffs to file a brief supporting their need to keep their September 2012 class certification motion pending on the docket. Seventh Circuit and Supreme Court precedent called into doubt the ongoing need for plaintiffs to file early class certification motions to avoid mootness. The plaintiffs submitted a brief arguing that the Court had already implicitly ruled on class certification for settlement purposes, or at the very least that settlement certification removed any mootness concerns. Judge Reagan, however, disagreed. On the first point, he explained that the defendants had agreed not to oppose the second motion for class certification on the condition that certification was only for settlement purposes. However, Judge Reagan agreed that the settlement certification, without subsequent decertification, was enough to protect the plaintiffs from mootness issues; once certified, the class achieved a legal status separate from the interest asserted by the named plaintiffs. Thus, the Court found that there was no longer a need to keep the original motion for class certification on the docket to safeguard plaintiffs from any mootness problem and denied that original motion without prejudice on September 22, 2016.

On December 9, 2016, the plaintiffs filed a voluntary motion to dismiss the action in its entirety. The motion stated that the Illinois Department of Corrections had made significant improvements to the living conditions at Vienna that resolved the unconstitutional conditions. Magistrate Judge Reona J. Daly ordered that notice of the dismissal be provided to the settlement class. The notice informed the class that they could file objections or comments, but none were filed. After holding a fairness hearing, Magistrate Judge Daly issued a recommendation of dismissal to the District Court, noting that dismissal was a fair, reasonable, and adequate resolution of the litigation. Thus, on September 7, 2017, the District Court dismissed all claims without prejudice. The case is now closed.

Summary Authors

Margo Schlanger (6/29/2012)

Dan Whitman (10/28/2014)

Eva Richardson (1/13/2019)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5139642/parties/boyd-v-godinez/


Judge(s)

Daly, Reona (Illinois)

Frazier, Philip M. (Illinois)

Gilbert, John Phil (Illinois)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Collins, Robert C. III (Illinois)

Gehl, Andrew T. (Illinois)

Attorney for Defendant

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

3:12-cv-00704

Docket [PACER]

Sept. 7, 2017

Sept. 7, 2017

Docket
2

3:12-cv-00704

Complaint

June 13, 2012

June 13, 2012

Complaint
44

3:12-cv-00704

Memorandum and Order [Reserving Ruling on Motion for Class Certification]

Sept. 16, 2013

Sept. 16, 2013

Order/Opinion

2013 WL 2013

51

3:12-cv-00704

First Amended Complaint

Oct. 29, 2013

Oct. 29, 2013

Complaint
50

3:12-cv-00704

Memorandum and Order [Granting Motion to Amend Complaint]

Oct. 29, 2013

Oct. 29, 2013

Order/Opinion

2013 WL 2013

52

3:12-cv-00704

Memorandum and Order [Granting Class Certification]

Oct. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2013

Order/Opinion
106

3:12-cv-00704

Order [Denying Class Certification Without Prejudice]

Sept. 22, 2016

Sept. 22, 2016

Order/Opinion
126

3:12-cv-00704

Report and Recommendation

Aug. 16, 2017

Aug. 16, 2017

Order/Opinion

2017 WL 2017

127

3:12-cv-00704

Memorandum and Order [Adopting Report and Recommendations]

Sept. 7, 2017

Sept. 7, 2017

Order/Opinion

2017 WL 2017

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5139642/boyd-v-godinez/

Last updated March 26, 2024, 3:13 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
9

ORDER REFERRING CASE to Magistrate Judge Philip M. Frazier, Denying 8 MOTION - Plaintiffs' Motion to Expedite Review Pursuant to the Prison Litigation Reform Act filed by Michael Boyd, Kendrick Pearson, Paul Lee. The threshold review of the c omplaint having now been completed, Plaintiffs are DIRECTED to serve Defendants pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. Rule 4. Defendants are ORDERED to timely file an appropriate responsive pleading to the complaint and shall not waive filing a reply pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(g). Signed by Judge J. Phil Gilbert on 8/28/2012. (tjk)

Aug. 29, 2012

Aug. 29, 2012

RECAP
42

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER, Granting 40 Amended MOTION to Seal Amended Motion to File Documents Under Seal filed by Michael Boyd, Kendrick Pearson, Paul Lee, and renders as moot 35 MOTION to Seal Motion to File Documents Under Seal (Document 34 Exhibits 7, 12, 14-17, 19-20, 23-24, 26-29, and 31) filed by Michael Boyd, Kendrick Pearson, Paul Lee. Signed by Judge J. Phil Gilbert on 8/30/2013. (jdh)

Aug. 30, 2013

Aug. 30, 2013

RECAP
44

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER re: class certification. Signed by Judge J. Phil Gilbert on 9/16/2013. (jdh)

Sept. 16, 2013

Sept. 16, 2013

RECAP
50

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER, Granting 48 MOTION to Amend/Correct 2 Complaint Unopposed Motion for Leave to File First Amended Complaint filed by Michael Boyd, Kendrick Pearson, Paul Lee. The Court reserves the ruling on the motion for class certification. Signed by Judge J. Phil Gilbert on 10/29/2013. (jdh)

Oct. 29, 2013

Oct. 29, 2013

RECAP
52

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER, the Court GRANTS the Plaintiffs Unopposed Motion for Class Certification for Purposes of Settlement (Doc. 33 . The Court CERTIFIES the following class for settlement purposes only and APPOINTS plaintiff J.B. Washup as class representative; and APPOINTS attorneys Mark Mester and Kathleen Lally, of Latham & Watkins LLP, and Alan Mills, of Uptown Peoples Law Center, as class counsel. Signed by Judge J. Phil Gilbert on 10/31/2013. (jdh)

Oct. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2013

RECAP
126

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS re 114 Plaintiffs' Motion for Voluntary Dismissal filed by Michael Boyd, Kendrick Pearson, J.B. Washup, Paul Lee. Objections to R&R due by 9/5/2017. Signed by Magistrate Judge Reona J. Daly on 8/16/17. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Notice)(kos)

1 Supplement Notice

View on PACER

Aug. 16, 2017

Aug. 16, 2017

RECAP
126

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS re 114 Plaintiffs' Motion for Voluntary Dismissal filed by Michael Boyd, Kendrick Pearson, J.B. Washup, Paul Lee. Objections to R&R due by 9/5/2017. Signed by Magistrate Judge Reona J. Daly on 8/16/17. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Notice)(kos)

1 Supplement Notice

View on PACER

Aug. 16, 2017

Aug. 16, 2017

RECAP
127

ORDER ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The Court ADOPTS in its entirety Magistrate Judge Daly's Report and Recommendations (Doc. 126 ) and GRANTS Plaintiffs' motion for voluntary dismissal (Doc. 114 ). All claims are DISMISSED without prejudice. As no claims remain pending, the Clerk is directed to close this case. Signed by Chief Judge Michael J. Reagan on 9/7/2017. (rah)

Sept. 7, 2017

Sept. 7, 2017

RECAP
127

ORDER ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The Court ADOPTS in its entirety Magistrate Judge Daly's Report and Recommendations (Doc. 126 ) and GRANTS Plaintiffs' motion for voluntary dismissal (Doc. 114 ). All claims are DISMISSED without prejudice. As no claims remain pending, the Clerk is directed to close this case. Signed by Chief Judge Michael J. Reagan on 9/7/2017. (rah)

Sept. 7, 2017

Sept. 7, 2017

RECAP
127

ORDER ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The Court ADOPTS in its entirety Magistrate Judge Daly's Report and Recommendations (Doc. 126 ) and GRANTS Plaintiffs' motion for voluntary dismissal (Doc. 114 ). All claims are DISMISSED without prejudice. As no claims remain pending, the Clerk is directed to close this case. Signed by Chief Judge Michael J. Reagan on 9/7/2017. (rah)

Sept. 7, 2017

Sept. 7, 2017

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory: Illinois

Case Type(s):

Prison Conditions

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: June 13, 2012

Closing Date: Sept. 7, 2017

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

All prisoners at the Vienna Correctional Center

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

Uptown People's Law Center

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Illinois Department of Corrections (Vienna, Johnson), State

Defendant Type(s):

Corrections

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201

Constitutional Clause(s):

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Voluntary Dismissal

Issues

General:

Bathing and hygiene

Conditions of confinement

Fire safety

Food service / nutrition / hydration

Recreation / Exercise

Sanitation / living conditions

Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Crowding / caseload

Assault/abuse by staff (facilities)

Assault/abuse by non-staff (facilities)

Affected Sex or Gender:

Male

Type of Facility:

Government-run