Thompson v. Beals
| Christopher Thompson |
| Bart Beals |
| 2:2026cv02003 |
| January 2, 2026 |
| U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois |
| Jonathan E Hawley |
| Prisoner: Civil Rights |
| 42 U.S.C. ยง 1983 Prisoner Civil Rights |
| None |
Docket Report
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| Document Text |
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| Filing 10 JUDGMENT entered. (VH) |
TEXT ORDER entered by District Judge Jonathan E Hawley on 2/25/2026. On February 13, 2026, Plaintiff filed a Petition to Proceed in forma pauperis #8 . Plaintiff indicates he receives monetary gifts, but he failed to include the amount received and what he expects to receive in the future. (Doc. 8 at p. 1). Plaintiff states he has a home that is being sold. Plaintiff also states he has two minor children and owes child support. According to his prisoner trust fund ledger ("TFL") #9 , Plaintiff had $0.27 in his account on December 25, 2025, shortly before he filed his Complaint on January 2, 2026. However, his TFL reveals he received a total of $4,150 in deposits from various individuals between October 2025 and December 2025, including a deposit of $2,360 on October 4, 2025. Plaintiff did not disclose these monetary gifts in his IFP Petition. (Doc. 8 at p. 1). His TFL also shows he spent $1,341.99 at the commissary and $2,047 on phone time between October 2025 and December 2025. "Courts have broad discretion in assessing the sufficiency of an applicant's evidence of poverty, especially when it comes to prisoners, who have fewer demands on their income because prisons provide them with food, clothing, shelter, and medical care." See Maboneza v. Kincaid, 798 F. App'x 19, 23 (7th Cir 2020) (finding that inmate who had $1,500 in income in preceding six months was not destitute); Hughes v. Anderson, 829 F. App'x 724, 726 (7th Cir. 2020) (Courts have an "oversight role" and may monitor a prisoner's expenditures "to ensure that the prisoner does not deplete his trust account in order to avoid paying the filing fee."). The Court finds that Plaintiff has sufficient means to pay the $405 filing fee in full, based on his lack of financial obligations in prison and the amount of deposits he has received between October 2025 and December 2025. Plaintiff's IFP Petition #8 is DENIED. Plaintiff is directed to pay the $405 filing fee in full. On January 13, 2026, this Court entered a Merit Review Order #7 and dismissed Plaintiff's Complaint without prejudice because it was unclear whether this Court was the proper venue for this action under 28 U.S.C. Sec. 1391(b). The Court directed Plaintiff to file an Amended Complaint within 30 days containing any additional information regarding Defendant Attorney Bart Beals and information about the case he hired Defendant Beals for, such as the case name, number, and the county the case was filed in. The Court warned Plaintiff that the failure to file an Amended Complaint would result in the dismissal of this case with prejudice. In his IFP Petition, Plaintiff indicates Defendant Beals is located in Chicago, Illinois, and Mr. Beals represented Plaintiff in at least three cases in Kankakee County. (Doc. #8 at p. 3). The deadline to amend his Complaint has now passed, and Plaintiff has not filed an Amended Complaint or requested an extension of time. Out of an abundance of caution, this case is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE to allow Plaintiff the opportunity to re-file his complaint in the proper venue. The Clerk is directed to enter judgment and close this case. Plaintiff must still pay the full filing fee even though his case has been dismissed. If Plaintiff wishes to appeal this dismissal, he must file a notice of appeal with this Court within 30 days of the entry of judgment. Fed. R. App. P. 4(a). A motion for leave to appeal in forma pauperis must set forth the issues Plaintiff plans to present on appeal. Fed. R. App. P. 24(a)(1)(C). If Plaintiff chooses to appeal, he will be liable for the $605 appellate filing fee irrespective of the outcome of the appeal.(VH)
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| Filing 9 +++ PRISONER TRUST FUND LEDGER by Christopher Thompson. (BMG) |
| Filing 8 PETITION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS, filed by Christopher Thompson.(BMG) |
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Filing 7
MERIT REVIEW ORDER entered by District Judge Jonathan E Hawley on 1/13/2026. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED: 1) Plaintiff's Complaint is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE, as it is unclear whether this Court is the proper venue for this action under 28 U.S.C. Sec. 1391(b). The Court will allow Plaintiff the opportunity to file an Amended Complaint within 30 days of this Order. If Plaintiff fails to file a timely Amended Complaint, or if the Amended Complaint fails to state a claim for relief, his case will be dismissed with prejudice. Plaintiff's Amended Complaint will replace Plaintiff's Complaint in its entirety. The Amended Complaint must contain all allegations against all Defendants. Piecemeal amendments are not accepted. 2) Plaintiff filed a Petition to Proceed in forma pauperis #3 but did not file his Petition by using this Court's Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs (Short Form). Instead, Plaintiff used a form required by Illinois Circuit Courts. Plaintiff's Petition #3 is DENIED, with leave to renew. Within 30 days of this Order, Plaintiff must pay the $405 filing fee in full or file a renewed Petition by using this Court's Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs (Short Form). Failure to comply without good cause will result in dismissal of this case without prejudice, and Plaintiff will still be responsible for payment of the filing fee. See 28 U.S.C. Sec. 1914. The Clerk is directed to send Plaintiff the forms for proceeding in forma pauperis. See full written Order.(VH)
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| Filing 6 +++ PRISONER TRUST FUND LEDGER by Christopher Thompson. (RAH) |
| Filing 5 Letter Requesting Trust Fund Ledger. Trust fund ledger sheets due by 1/20/2026. (VH) |
| Filing 4 +++ PRISONER TRUST FUND LEDGER by Christopher Thompson (SAG) |
| Filing 3 PETITION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS, filed by Christopher Thompson.(SAG) |
| Filing 2 NOTICE OF CASE OPENING. Please be advised that your case has been assigned to Judge Jonathan E Hawley. Effective immediately, all documents should be mailed or scanned to the Peoria Division,100 NE Monroe Street,Peoria,IL 61602.Merit Review Deadline set for 1/22/2026. (Attachments: #1 Notice Regarding Privacy Issues)(SAG) |
| Filing 1 COMPLAINT against Bart Beals, filed by Christopher Thompson.(SAG) |
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| Plaintiff: Christopher Thompson | |
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| Defendant: Bart Beals | |
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