No. 25-6056

Ruben Santoyo v. City of Chicago, Illinois, et al.

Lower Court: Seventh Circuit
Docketed: 2025-11-07
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: appellate-procedure due-process judicial-discretion jurisdiction pro-se-litigant sanctions
Key Terms:
DueProcess
Latest Conference: 2025-12-05
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether a district court may impose punitive monetary sanctions sua sponte after a notice of appeal has divested it of jurisdiction, in light of conflicting circuit authority

Question Presented (from Petition)

1. Jurisdiction after appeal. Whether a district court may impose a punitive monetary sanction sua sponte after a notice of appeal has divested it of jurisdiction under Griggs v. Provident Consumer Discount Co., 459 U.S. 56 (1982), in light of conflicting circuit authority on whether such sanctions are "collateral" or "ministerial." (Compare Overnite Transp. Co. v. Chicago Indus. Tire Co., 697 F.2d 789 (7th Cir. 1983) (barring such sanctions), with Schlaifer Nance & Co. v. Estate of Warhol, 194 F.3d 323 (2d Cir. 1999); In re Ruben, 825 F.2d 977 (6th Cir. 1987); and Hicks v. S. Md. Health Sys. Agency, 805 F.2d 1165 (4th Cir. 1986) (permitting post-appeal sanctions)). 2. Due process for sanctions. Whether the Due Process Clause permits a court to impose a substantial monetary sanction based solely on generalized warnings, without motion, specific notice, or a hearing —where other circuits require explicit notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard. (See Sanko Steamship Co. v. Galin, 835 F.2d 51 (2d Cir. 1987); CEATS, Inc. v. TicketNetwork, Inc., No. 21-40705 (5th Cir. June 19, 2023); United States v. Tillman, No. 13-10131 (9th Cir. June 30, 2014)). 3. Access to justice & Artificial Intelligence. Whether sanctioning a pro se litigant for the disclosed, good-faith use of Al-assisted drafting tools infringes upon the First Amendment right to petition and the fundamental right of access to courts, by chilling modem means of meaningful participation in the judicial process (contrary to the protections established in Bounds v. Smith, 430 U.S. 817 (1977), and Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519 (1972)).

Docket Entries

2025-12-08
Petition DENIED.
2025-11-19
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 12/5/2025.
2025-11-17
Waiver of Chicago, IL, et al. of right to respond submitted.
2025-11-17
Waiver of right of respondent Chicago, IL, et al. to respond filed.
2025-10-07
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due December 8, 2025)

Attorneys

Chicago, IL, et al.
Suzanne M. LooseCorporation Counsel - Chicago, Respondent
Suzanne M. LooseCorporation Counsel - Chicago, Respondent
Ruben Santoyo
Ruben Santoyo — Petitioner
Ruben Santoyo — Petitioner