Order Form (01/2005)

United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Name of Assigned Judge

or Magistrate Judge

Robert M. Dow, Jr. Sitting Judge if Other

than Assigned Judge

CASE NUMBER 12 C 2724 DATE 5/2/2012

CASE

TITLE

Luster vs. Children’s Memorial Hospital et al.

DOCKET ENTRY TEXT

For the reasons stated below, Plaintiff’s application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis [4] is granted and

the Court requests that the U.S. Marshal’s office serve Plaintiff’s complaint [1]. Plaintiff’s motion for

appointment of counsel [5] is denied without prejudice.

O[ For further details see text below.] Docketing to mail notices.

STATEMENT

Along with a complaint [1], Plaintiff Randa Luster has filed an application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis

[4] and a motion for appointment of counsel [5]. The federal in forma pauperis statute is designed to ensure that

indigent litigants have meaningful access to the federal courts. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 324 (1989). 

The statute allows a litigant to pursue a case in federal court without fees and costs provided that the litigant

submits an affidavit which asserts an inability “to pay such costs or give security therefore,” so long as the action

is neither frivolous nor malicious, states a claim upon which relief may be granted, and does not seek monetary

relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. See generally 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1). The Court relies

on the financial affidavit filed along with the in forma pauperis application to assess a party’s claim to indigency. 

In order to file and proceed on a lawsuit in forma pauperis – that is, without paying the filing fee – “a plaintiff’s

income must be at or near the poverty level.” Bulls v. Marsh, 1989 WL 51170, at *1 (N.D. Ill. May 5, 1989); see

also Zaun v. Dobbin, 628 F.2d 990, 992 (7th Cir. 1980). To measure poverty level, many judges in this district

use the povertyguidelines promulgated bythe United States Department ofHealth and Human Services (available

at http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/11poverty.shtml). The HHS poverty guidelines for 2012 for the 48 contiguous

states and the District of Columbia set the poverty level for a family of six at an annual income level of $30,970. 

In her application and financial affidavit, Plaintiff avers that she currently is unemployed. She received child

support in the amount of $6,096 over the last twelve months and unemployment in the amount of $21,800 in the

last twelve mounts, but does not receive a regular monthly salary or wages. She is the sole support for her five

children and grandchildren. Based on those representations, the Court grants Plaintiff’s application for leave to

proceed in forma pauperis [4] and requests that the U.S. Marshals Service effect service of Plaintiff’s complaint

[1] on Defendant. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(9)(2).

Plaintiff’s motion for appointment of counsel [5] is denied without prejudice. Indigent parties in civil rights

actions who are unable to obtain an attorney may apply to the court for appointment of counsel under 28 U.S.C.

12C2724 Luster vs. Children’s Memorial Hospital et al. Page 1 of 2
STATEMENT

§ 1915(e)(1). However, civil litigants have no constitutional or statutory right to counsel in federal court. See

Lewis v. Sullivan, 279 F.3d 526, 529 (7th Cir. 2002); Merritt v. Faulkner, 697 F.2d 761, 763 (7th Cir. 1983). 

Nevertheless, a district court may, in its discretion, “request an attorney to represent any person unable to afford

counsel.” Gil v. Reed, 381 F.3d 649, 656 (7th Cir. 2004) (citing 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1)); Luttrell v. Nickel, 129

F.3d 933, 936 (7th Cir. 1997).

In deciding whether to appoint counsel, a court must “first determine if the indigent has made reasonable efforts

to retain counsel and was unsuccessful or that the indigent was effectively precluded from making such efforts.” 

Gil, 381 F.3d at 656 (quoting Jackson v. County of McLean, 953 F.2d 1070, 1072 (7th Cir. 1992)). If so, the court

must consider: (1) whether, given the degree of difficulty of the case, the plaintiff appears competent to try the

case himself; and (2) whether the assistance of counsel would provide a substantial benefit to the court or the

parties, potentially affecting the outcome of the case. Gil, 381 F.3d at 656 (relying on Farmer v. Haas, 990 F.2d

319, 322 (7th Cir. 1993)). The court should consider the capabilities of the plaintiff to litigate his own case in

deciding whether to appoint counsel. Pruitt v. Mote, 503 F.3d 647, 654-55 (7th Cir. 2007) (en banc). 

Upon consideration of the pertinent factors, the Court concludes that appointment of counsel is not warranted at

this time. It appears that Plaintiff has made reasonable efforts to obtain counsel on her own by inquiring about

legal representation with the Cabrni Green Legal Aid Clinic. However, the Court cannot determine at this early

stage of the case whether Plaintiff would be capable of litigating this case or whether assistance of counsel would

provide a substantial benefit tot he Court or to the parties. Therefore, Plaintiff’s motion for appointment of

counsel [5] is denied without prejudice. Plaintiff may renew the motion – and, indeed, the Court may reconsider

the issue of appointment of counsel on its own motion – after Defendant files a responsive pleading or at any later

stage of the case if it appears that the standards set forth in Pruitt and Gil are satisfied. 

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