On May 7, 1997, an inmate of the Joliet Correctional Center sued the Illinois Department of Corrections in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois for alleged violations of 42 USC 1983, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. Specifically, the ...
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On May 7, 1997, an inmate of the Joliet Correctional Center sued the Illinois Department of Corrections in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois for alleged violations of 42 USC 1983, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. Specifically, the plaintiff, who had been declared legally blind since incarceration, alleged that the defendants had denied him access to the Center's library, as it contained no books on tape, Braille materials, or large print books. Further, the plaintiff complained that he had been denied safe access throughout the prison (for example, to the dining hall and shower area) and that he had been denied access to educational programs.
The District Court (Judge Paul E. Plunkett) appointed private (pro bono) counsel for the plaintiff. Both parties moved for summary judgment. The Court denied the defendant's motion for summary judgment and granted the plaintiff's motion for summary judgment in part, ordering the Center to make accommodations for the plaintiff in the library and education program and to assist the plaintiff with navigation around the prison. Williams v. Illinois Department of Corrections, No. 97 C 3475, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18190 (N.D. Ill. Nov. 16, 1999).
In January 2000, the parties agreed to vacate the November 16 order and to enter into a settlement agreement in which the defendants would make accommodations for the plaintiff in the library and the General Educational Development program. Further, the defendants would assist the plaintiff with navigation around the prison. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, the case was dismissed with prejudice on January 25, 2000.
In September 2001, the plaintiff filed a motion for order of default of settlement agreement and for sanctions. After a hearing, Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys recommended that the District Court deny the motion. Williams v. Joliet Corr. Ctr, No. 97 C 3475, 2002 WL 1559681 (N.D. Ill. July 16, 2002). The District Court adopted the recommendation in its entirety in September 2002.
The PACER docket shows no subsequent entries.
Rebekah Henn Sullivan - 08/01/2006
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