Boclair v. Wills

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

STANLEY BOCLAIR,

Plaintiff,

v. Case No. 21-CV-00289-SPM

ANTHONY WILLS, et al.,

Defendants.

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

McGLYNN, District Judge:

Pending before the Court is a Motion for Summary Judgment filed by

Defendants Angela Crain, Rob Jeffreys, Heather Price, and Anthony Wills. (Doc. 123).

Pro se Plaintiff Stanley Boclair filed a Response. (Doc. 130). Having been fully

informed of the issues presented, this Court GRANTS the Defendants’ Motion for

Summary Judgment.

RELEVANT FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Pro se Plaintiff Stanley Boclair is an inmate presently incarcerated at Menard

Correctional Center in Menard, Illinois. (See Doc. 1, p. 1). Defendant Angela Crain

was the Administrator of Menard’s Health Care Unit; Rob Jeffreys is the Director of

the Illinois Department of Corrections; Heather Price is a counselor at Menard; and

Anthony Wills is the Warden at Menard. (See Doc. 124). The instant suit arises from

the medical treatment of a rash on Boclair’s body that was later determined to be

eczema. (See Doc. 1; Doc. 124, pp. 2–7). Plaintiff Boclair alleges that he requested

treatment for the rash in question at sick call on or about October 6, 2020. (Doc. 124,

p. 3 (citing Doc. 1, p. 7)). The progress notes from his sick call visit only state “dryness,

Minerin jar.” (Id., p. 3 (citing id., Ex. C, Bates 000214)). The first mention of a rash

in Menard’s medical records is at a subsequent sick call on November 18, 2020, at

which Plaintiff Boclair states that he had the rash for two weeks. (See id., p. 3 (citing

id., Ex. C, Bates 000225)). Plaintiff Boclair was prescribed hydrocortisone cream for

his rash. (See id., p. 3 (citing id., Ex. B, pp. 84–85)). No mention is made of the rash

in question at Boclair’s sick call visits on November 24 and 30 and December 4, 5, 10,

and 19, 2020. (See id., pp. 3–4 (citing id., Ex. C, Bates 000227–31, 000238–39, 000257,

000259, 000261–63, 000265–66)). One of these visits included a physical exam. (See

id. (citing id., Ex. C, Bates 000227–31, 000238–39, 000257, 000259, 000261–63,

000265–66)). The records from Boclair’s sick call visit on December 23, 2020 indicated

that he had “darkened irregular flat blemishes” for the past six weeks that had been

treated with both antifungal and hydrocortisone creams. (Id., p. 4 (citing id., Ex. C,

Bates 000267, 000419)). Boclair alleges that he told his psychiatrist, Dr. Thena

Poteat, about his skin issues on January 14, 2021, which she stated might be a

urinary tract fungus. (Id., p. 4 (citing id., Ex. B, pp. 58, 61; id., Ex. C, Bates 000417,

000419); see Doc. 130, Ex. H). Dr. Poteat texted Defendant Crain to state that Boclair

needed medical treatment.1 (Doc. 124, p. 4 (citing Ex. B., p. 59)). Defendant Crain

1 Boclair states in his Deposition that Dr. Poteat “said, sounds like a urinary tract fungus. She said

you’re going to have to have a certain type of treatment for that. And so she gave me some pills.”

Boclair Dep. 59/1–3. Boclair states that Dr. Poteat “gave a diagnosis as a medical doctor, and she

texted Defendant Crain in front of me. She picked up her phone and she said I’m going to send Angela

a text, Defendant Crain.” Id. 59/6–10. While Dr. Poteat is a physician as a psychiatrist, she did not

conduct a full physical exam of Plaintiff Boclair or prescribe medication—this issue is addressed infra.

received notice of Boclair’s medical care need on January 17, 2021. (See id., p. 4 (citing

id., Ex. D)). Boclair filed an emergency grievance on January 19, 2021 claiming “that

staff in the health care unit were ‘denying and delaying medical treatment because

of lawsuits against them.’” (Id., p. 4 (citing Doc. 1, p. 22)). Defendant Anthony Wills

determined the grievance was not an emergency, returning it to Boclair on January

22, 2021. (Id., p. 4 (citing Ex. C, Bates 000008, 000166)). While Boclair claims that he

resubmitted this grievance (#154-1-21) via a locked grievance box brought to his cell

(See id., p. 5 (citing Doc. 1, p. 12; Doc. 74, pp. 5, 34)), Menard’s records do not reflect

this. (See id. (citing id., Ex. C, Bates 000166)). Boclair submitted another grievance

(#4-2-21) claiming that “Dr. Siddiqui had failed to address his skin condition on

October 6, 2020” and alleges that he submitted an additional grievance “complaining

that Defendant Price had withheld/destroyed” grievance #154-1-21. (Id. (citing id.,

Ex. C, Bates 000115; Doc. 1, p. 24)). There is no record of the latter grievance. (See id.

(citing Ex. C, Bates 000007-08, 000166)).

Boclair next spoke to his psychologist on February 1, 2021 about his skin

issues; the psychologist informed Boclair two days later that Defendant Crain had

been contacted. (See id. (citing id., Ex. B, pp. 59–60, 63)). Boclair also states that he

showed his rash-covered arms to Defendant Wills during a wellness tour on February

9, 2021; according to Boclair, Wills smiled and continued with his tour. (See id. (citing

id., Ex. B, pp. 54–55)). Defendant Martin, who was with Defendant Wills during the

February 9 tour, directed Boclair to send her a “kite” relating to his rash; after giving

the kite to Reva Engelage, Boclair did not receive a response. (See id., pp. 5–6 (citing

id., Ex. B, pp. 55, 57)). Boclair alleges that he next submitted a grievance to Director

Jeffreys on February 14, 2021 “complaining that six grievances, including Grievance

#154-1-21, had been withheld or destroyed after he submitted them.” (Id., p. 6 (citing

Doc. 1, pp. 14, 20–21)). The Administrative Review Board (“ARB”) returned the

grievance on February 25, 2021 because Boclair “failed to attach the original

grievances and responses.” (Id., p. 6 (citing id., Ex. C, Bates 000122)). Boclair was

seen at sick call again on February 19 and 28, 2021. (See id. (citing id., Ex. C, Bates

000269, 000270)). At sick call on March 12, 2021, Nurse Practitioner Zimmer “noted

dark scaly patches on several areas of Plaintiff’s body and assessed it to be psoriasis,”

ordered a biopsy, and prescribed Kenalog ointment. (See id. (citing id., Ex. B, pp. 58,

74–76, 79, 85; Ex. C, Bates 000270–71, 000403)). Although Boclair states that the

ointment did not resolve the rash, the biopsy showed that the rash was eczema. (See

id., pp. 6–7 (citing id., Ex. B, pp. 85–86; Ex. C, Bates 000325)).

Boclair was subsequently seen at sick call twice in May 2021 for his skin

condition. (See id., p. 7 (citing id., Ex. B, p.81–82, 86; Group Ex. C, Bates 000275,

000278)). Dr. Siddiqui referred Boclair to Dermatology after sick call on July 13, 2021;

this referral was approved for submission to collegial review on July 27, 2021 and

approved for scheduling on November 15, 2021. (See id., p. 7 (citing id., Ex. C, Bates

000280–82, 000294, 000320)). Boclair was referred to an outside dermatologist on

January 20, 2022; she diagnosed him with “atopic dermatitis (a form of eczema) or

psoriasis” and prescribed oral steroids and prescription soap and ointment. See id., p.

7 (citing id., Ex. B, p. 48, 53, 82, 129; Ex. C, Bates 000297, 000299, 000303, 000323–

25)).

Boclair filed the instant lawsuit on March 15, 2021. (See Doc. 1). In his

Complaint, he alleged (1) that the Defendants retaliated against him in violation of

the First Amendment because he had filed a 2018 lawsuit against them, see Boclair

v. Lashbrook, No. 18-cv-02084-NJR (S.D. Ill. 2022); and (2) that the Defendants’

failure to treat his rash for eighty (80) days (between December 23, 2020 and March

2021, see Doc. 130, p. 6) amounted to deliberate indifference constituting cruel and

unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment. (See Doc. 1, pp. 15–16).

Boclair filed a Motion on Estoppel by Conduct (Doc. 2) on the same day as his

Complaint and subsequently filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction (Doc. 12) on

February 7, 2022; the Court denied both on February 28, 2022. (See Doc. 13).

This Court conducted preliminary review of Boclair’s Complaint pursuant to

28 U.S.C. § 1915A on April 15, 2022 (Doc. 16). The Court reallocated Boclair’s claims

as follows: a First Amendment retaliation claim and Eighth Amendment deliberate

indifference claim against Dr. Siddiqui for denying Boclair medical care on October

6, 2020 and a First Amendment retaliation claim and Eighth Amendment claim

against Defendants Will, Crain, Martin, Price, and Jeffreys for denying Plaintiff

medical care for a painful skin condition between December 23, 2020, and March

2021. (See Doc. 16, pp. 3–4). Dr. Siddiqui filed a Motion for Summary Judgment on

July 12, 2022 (Doc. 36), which this Court granted on February 24, 2023 (Doc. 75).

Additionally, the remaining Defendants filed a Suggestion of Death of Defendant

Kimberly Martin on July 24, 2023; Boclair indicated in his Deposition that he does

not intend to pursue claims against Defendant Martin. (See Doc. 124, pp. 2–3 (citing

id., Ex. B, pp. 15–16, 117–19, 141)). Therefore, the only remaining claims at issue are

the First Amendment retaliation claim and Eighth Amendment deliberate

indifference claim against Defendants Angela Crain, Director Rob Jeffreys, Heather

Price, and Warden Anthony Wills. The Defendants filed the instant Motion for

Summary Judgment on May 14, 2024. (See Doc. 123). Plaintiff Boclair filed a

Response on July 9, 2024. (See Doc. 130).

APPLICABLE LAW AND LEGAL STANDARDS

The court shall grant summary judgment “if the movant shows that there is no

genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a

matter of law.” Spurling v. C & M Fine Pack, Inc., 739 F.3d 1055, 1060 (7th Cir. 2014)

(quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a)). Once the moving party has set forth the basis for

summary judgment, the burden then shifts to the nonmoving party who must go

beyond mere allegations and offer specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue

of fact for trial. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e); see Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322–

23 (1986). Stated another way, the nonmoving party must offer more than

“[c]onclusory allegations, unsupported by specific facts,” to establish a genuine issue

of material fact. Payne v. Pauley, 337 F.3d 767, 773 (7th Cir. 2003) (citing Lujan v.

Nat’l Wildlife Fed’n, 497 U.S. 871, 888 (1990)).

In determining whether a genuine issue of fact exists, the Court must view the

evidence and draw all reasonable inferences in favor of the party opposing the motion.

Bennington v. Caterpillar Inc., 275 F.3d 654, 658 (7th Cir. 2001); see also Anderson v.

Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986). “A genuine issue of material fact arises

only if sufficient evidence favoring the nonmoving party exists to permit a jury to

return a verdict for that party.” Faas v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 532 F.3d 633, 640–41

(7th Cir. 2008) (quoting Springer v. Durflinger, 518 F.3d 479, 483 (7th Cir. 2008)).

The non-movant cannot simply rely on its pleadings; the non-movant must present

admissible evidence that sufficiently shows the existence of each element of its case

on which it will bear the burden of proof at trial. Midwest Imps., Ltd. v. Coval, 71

F.3d 1311, 1317 (7th Cir. 1995) (citing Serfecz v. Jewel Food Stores, 67 F.3d 591, 596

(7th Cir. 1995); Greater Rockford Energy & Tech. Corp. v. Shell Oil Co., 998 F.2d 391,

394 (7th Cir. 1993), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 1111 (1994); Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323–24).

ANALYSIS

This case involves a First Amendment retaliation claim and an Eighth

Amendment claim for deliberate indifference to a serious medical need against

Defendants. (See Doc. 1). While each is addressed in turn, the Court first notes that

Plaintiff Boclair attempts to create genuine issues of material fact via disputing the

Defendants’ Undisputed Material Facts. (See, e.g., Doc. 130, pp. 3–4). This includes

claiming that the Defendants’ misspelling of “Jeffreys” as “Jeffries” in various

sections of their brief (see Doc. 124, pp. 10, 14) creates a genuine issue of material fact

regarding the actual identity of this person. (See Doc. 130, p. 4). Even considering

Boclair’s pro se status, he is an experienced litigant.2 With this in mind, such legally

deficient claims will not be entertained by the Court.

I. First Amendment Retaliation

“[T]he First Amendment prohibits government officials from subjecting an

individual to retaliatory actions for engaging in protected speech.” Lavite v. Dunstan,

932 F.3d 1020, 1031 (7th Cir. 2019) (quoting Nieves v. Bartlett, 587 U.S. 391, 398

(2019)). “To prevail on a First Amendment retaliation claim, a plaintiff must show

that (1) he engaged in constitutionally protected speech; (2) he suffered a deprivation

likely to deter his free speech; and (3) his protected speech was at least a motivating

factor for the deprivation.” Id. (citing Woodruff v. Mason, 542 F.3d 545, 551 (7th Cir.

2008); Massey v. Johnson, 457 F.3d 711, 716 (7th Cir. 2006)). “To prevail on such a

claim, a plaintiff must establish a ‘causal connection’ between the government

defendant’s ‘retaliatory animus’ and the plaintiff’s ‘subsequent injury.’” Nieves, 587

U.S. at 398 (quoting Hartman v. Moore, 547 U.S. 250, 259 (2006)). More “[s]pecfically,

it must be a ‘but-for’ cause, meaning that the adverse action against the plaintiff

would not have been taken absent the retaliatory motive.” Id. (citing Hartman, 547

U.S. at 260).

“To prove causation on a First Amendment retaliation claim, a plaintiff may

rely on both direct and circumstantial evidence.” Lavite, 932 F.3d at 1031 (citing

2 Boclair has filed six other lawsuits in this District. See Boclair v. Ill. Dep’t of Corrections, No. 10-cv-

00978-SCW (S.D. Ill. 2013); Boclair v. IDOC, No. 20-cv-01008-MJR (S.D. Ill. 2010); Boclair v.

Lashbrook, No. 18-cv-00586-NJR (S.D. Ill. 2020); Boclair v. Lashbrook, No. 18-cv-01188-RJD (S.D. Ill.

2024); Boclair v. Lashbrook, No. 18-cv-02084-NJR (S.D. Ill. 2022); Boclair v. Jeffreys, No. 21-cv-00022-

SPM (S.D. Ill. 2024).

Hobgood v. Ill. Gaming Bd., 731 F.3d 635, 643-44 (7th Cir. 2013); Kidwell v.

Eisenhauer, 679 F.3d 957, 965-66 (7th Cir. 2012)). “Direct evidence is evidence which,

if believed by the trier of fact, will prove the particular fact in question without

reliance upon inference or presumption.” Id. (quoting Kidwell, 679 F.3d at 965).

“Circumstantial evidence may include suspicious timing, ambiguous oral or written

statements, or behavior toward or comments directed at other employees in the

protected group.” Id. (quoting Long v. Tchrs.’ Ret. Sys. of Ill., 585 F.3d 344, 350 (7th

Cir. 2009)).

The Defendants argue that “[t]he alleged retaliatory conduct consisted of

denying and delaying medical care for a rash between December 23, 2020 and March

2021” and that “[t]his claim is made despite Plaintiff having received topical

medication for a rash on November 18, 2020, followed by various forms of medical

attention between November 18, 2020 and December 23, 2020, and further attention

to his rash in February and March 2021.” (Doc. 124, p. 16 (citing id., ¶¶ 9–10, 22–24;

Doc. 16, p. 4)). They argue that Boclair’s claim “requires accepting that each

Defendant had a retaliatory motive stemming from Plaintiff’s 2018 lawsuit, but that

motive only extended to the treatment of Plaintiff’s rash, and did not include denying

him multiple topical medications or a biopsy of the rash to diagnose its nature.” (Id.).

Moreover, the Defendants argue that “Plaintiff’s allegations of retaliation simply

don’t track with the conduct that he actually experienced” because this process “did

not deviate significantly from the process of diagnosis that individuals not in custody

would experience, with various medications being tried to determine which will best

treat the condition, as well as testing after the initial, standard, options fail to

alleviate the problem.” (Id.). They argue that Boclair has failed to meet either the

“but-for” or “mixed-motive” standards required to prove a retaliation claim. (See id.,

p. 17).

In his Response, Boclair argues that Defendant Crain was responsible for

delays in his medical care were “because of animus brought on by the 2018 lawsuit.”

(Doc. 130, p. 3). Boclair stated in his deposition that Defendants Price and Wills

retaliated against him because of grievances and lawsuits he filed against them, but

not specifically because of the 2018 lawsuit. (See Doc. 124, Ex. B., p. 32–34 (citing

Boclair Dep. 98, 100)). He claims that Defendants Crain and Price entered forged

documents into his medical file and that this shows a retaliatory motive. (See Doc.

130, p. 26). While Plaintiff Boclair’s Deposition seems to indicate that he is not

bringing a retaliation claim against Defendants Wills or Jeffreys, the Court will

assume that he intended to bring a retaliation claim against the four remaining

Defendants Crain, Jeffreys, Price, Wills. (See Boclair Dep. 98, 100).

First, filing a lawsuit or grievance to contest prison conditions or treatment is

clearly protected by the First Amendment, meaning that Boclair meets the first prong

of the test. See Lavite v. Dunstan, 932 F.3d 1020, 1031 (7th Cir. 2019) (citing Woodruff

v. Mason, 542 F.3d 545, 551 (7th Cir. 2008); Massey v. Johnson, 457 F.3d 711, 716

(7th Cir. 2006)). While Boclair claims that the delay in medical treatment for his rash

meets the second prong and that he has met the third prong via “a distinct body of

highly valuable circumstantial evidence,” (Doc. 130, p. 2) his arguments fail to rebut

the Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment. (Doc. 123).

Here, Boclair has not provided any direct or circumstantial evidence that

supports a reasonable inference of causation. First, Boclair has not demonstrated that

he actually suffered a First Amendment deprivation at all. While he emphasizes the

fact that the initial treatment for his eczema was unsuccessful and was allegedly

delayed by the Defendants, it is standard with dermatological ailments to attempt

various treatments before landing on one that is effective. (See Doc. 130, p. 16

(“Plaintiff’s allegations of retaliation simply don’t track with the conduct that he

actually experienced, which did not deviate significantly from the process of diagnosis

that individuals not in custody would experience, with various medications being

tried to determine which will best treat the condition, as well as testing after the

initial, standard, options fail to alleviate the problem.”). Moreover, the medical

records provided in this case indicate that Dr. Siddiqui did not provide a referral for

Boclair to see dermatology until July 13, 2021 when he determined that the course of

treatment had been ineffective. (See Doc. 124, Ex. C, p. 26). The Court also notes that

Boclair refused additional hydrocortisone cream on the December 23, 2020 sick call

visit. (See Doc. 124, p. 4 (citing Id., Ex. C, Bates 000267)). He cannot claim that he

was denied or delayed treatment when he refused to complete the first-line course of

treatment for his eczema.

All of the documentation from Boclair’s sick call visits indicate that the medical

staff were continuing to prescribe treatment for Boclair’s rash. (See id., Ex. C). While

Boclair wished to see a physician about his rash and felt that his treatment was

taking longer than he would have liked, there is no indication that treatment was

either delayed or denied because of a retaliatory motive from his 2018 lawsuit.

Additionally, his ability to file grievances3 or additional lawsuits4 was clearly not

restricted in any way and he has not produced any direct or circumstantial evidence

to show that any of the Defendants forged or destroyed any of the grievances that he

has filed. While Boclair argues that Defendant Crain had a retaliatory motive

“because of animus brought on by the 2018 lawsuit,” (Doc. 130, p. 3), he has not

provided any evidence of a causal link between the 2018 lawsuit and any of Crain’s

conduct here.

The Seventh Circuit has noted that “argument is insufficient to avoid summary

judgment; the nonmoving party needs to come forward with evidence.” Beatty v. Olin

Corp., 693 F.3d 750, 754 (7th Cir. 2012) (citing Outlaw v. Newkirk, 259 F.3d 833, 839

n.2 (7th Cir. 2001); Scherer v. Rockwell Int’l Corp., 975 F.2d 356, 361 (7th Cir. 1992)).

Boclair has failed to prove the second or third elements of his First Amendment

retaliaton case—because Boclair has not demonstrated that there are genuine issues

of material fact sufficient to submit his First Amendment retaliation claims to a jury,

his First Amendment claims do not survive the Defendants’ Motion for Summary

Judgment.

3 Boclair’s Cumulative Counseling Summary indicates that Boclair’s ability to file grievances has

clearly not been chilled by any alleged retaliation. (See Doc. 124, Ex. C, pp. 1–2).

4 Notably, Boclair filed another lawsuit in this Court just two months before he first filed the instant

suit (i.e., during time period at issue in the instant case). See Boclair v. Jeffreys, No. 21-cv-00022-SPM

(S.D. Ill. 2024).

II. Eighth Amendment Deliberate Indifference

The Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment and

deliberate indifference to the “serious medical needs of a prisoner [which] constitutes

the unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain forbidden by the Constitution.”

Rodriguez v. Plymouth Ambulance Serv., 577 F.3d 816, 828 (7th Cir. 2009) (citation

omitted). A prisoner is entitled to “reasonable measures to meet a substantial risk of

serious harm”—not to demand specific care. Forbes v. Edgar, 112 F.3d 262, 267 (7th

Cir. 1997).

Claims for deliberate indifference have an objective and a subjective

component. Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97 (1976). Boclair must establish that he

suffered from an objectively and sufficiently serious medical condition. Cesal v.

Moats, 851 F.3d 714, 721 (7th Cir. 2017). Boclair must also show that Defendants

actually knew of, but disregarded, a substantial risk to the inmate’s health. Cesal,

851 F.3d at 721. “Intentional delays in medical care may constitute deliberate

indifference, even if the inmate’s medical condition is non-life threatening.” Id. at 722

(quoting Arnett v. Webster, 658 F.3d 742, 753 (7th Cir. 2011)). “A doctor’s choice of

‘easier and less efficacious treatment’ for an objectively serious medical condition also

may be sufficient . . . [,] [b]ut ‘mere disagreement with a doctor’s medical judgment’

is not enough to support an Eighth Amendment violation.” Id. (first quoting Estelle,

429 U.S. at 104 & n.10; then quoting Berry v. Peterman, 604 F.3d 435, 441 (7th Cir.

2010)).

Additionally, it is well-settled that mere negligence is not enough to establish

a Defendant’s deliberate indifference. See, e.g., Davidson v. Cannon, 474 U.S. 344,

347-48 (1986). In fact, even gross negligence is insufficient. King v. Kramer, 680 F.3d

1013, 1018 (7th Cir. 2012). Instead, deliberate indifference is comparable to criminal

recklessness. Thomas v. Blackard, 2 F.4th 716 (7th Cir. 2021) (citing King, 680 F.3d

at 1018). “‘Reckless’ describes conduct so dangerous that the deliberate nature of the

defendant’s actions can be inferred.” Jackson v. Illinois Medi-Car, Inc., 300 F.3d 760,

765 (7th Cir. 2002) (quoting Qian v. Kautz, 168 F.3d 949, 955 (7th Cir. 1999)).

Assessing the subjective prong is more difficult in cases alleging inadequate

care as opposed to a lack of care. Without more, a “mistake in professional judgment

cannot be deliberate indifference.” Whiting v. Wexford Health Sources, Inc., 839 F.3d

658, 662 (7th Cir. 2016). The Seventh Circuit has explained:

By definition a treatment decision that’s based on professional judgment

cannot evince deliberate indifference because professional judgment

implies a choice of what the defendant believed to be the best course of

treatment. A doctor who claims to have exercised professional judgment

is effectively asserting that he lacked a sufficiently culpable mental

state, and if no reasonable jury could discredit that claim, the doctor is

entitled to summary judgment.

Id. (quoting Zaya v. Sood, 836 F.3d 800, 805–06 (7th Cir. 2016)). This is in contrast

to a case “where evidence exists that the defendant knew better than to make the

medical decision that [he] did.” Id. (quoting Petties v. Carter, 836 F.3d 722, 731 (7th

Cir. 2016)) (cleaned up). A medical professional’s choice of an “easier and less

efficacious treatment” can rise to the level of violating the Eighth Amendment,

however, where the treatment is known to be ineffective but is chosen anyway. Berry,

604 F.3d at 441 (quoting Estelle, 429 U.S. at 104 & n.10). The Seventh Circuit has

“characterized the standard as imposing a high hurdle on plaintiffs because it

requires a ‘showing as something approaching a total unconcern for the prisoner’s

welfare in the face of serious risks.’” Rosario v. Brawn, 670 F.3d 816, 821 (7th Cir.

2012) (quoting Collins v. Seeman, 462 F.3d 757, 762 (7th Cir. 2006)).

The Defendants first argue that none of them were medical professionals and

that they were not responsible for medical decision-making associated with Boclair’s

eczema. (See Doc. 124, pp. 9–10). Regarding Defendant Crain, they argue that her

position as Health Care Unit Administrator does not put her in a supervisory role

with respect to medical decisions made by individual healthcare providers. (See id.,

p. 10). Regarding Defendants Jeffreys, Price, and Wills, the Defendants argue that

“their roles at Menard and the IDOC did not involve the provision of medical care.

(See id.). The Defendants argue that, because the doctrine of respondeat superior

cannot be applied in § 1983 lawsuits, the Defendants did not have sufficient personal

involvement to be liable under § 1983. (See id., pp. 9–10 (citing McBride v. Soos, 679

F.2d 1223, 1227 (7th Cir. 1982); Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362, 371 (1976); Monell v.

Dep’t of Soc. Servs., 436 U.S. 658, 691–94 (1978); Sanville v. McCaughtry, 266 F.3d

724, 740 (7th Cir. 2001); Burks v. Raemisch, 555 F.3d 592, 594–95 (7th Cir. 2009);

George v. Smith, 507 F.3d 605, 609 (7th Cir. 2007))).

The Defendants next argue that Boclair has failed to meet his burden to prove

that he had a serious medical need. (See Doc. 124, pp. 11–13). They indicate that

Boclair “testified during his deposition that no medical professional had informed him

that any delay in treating his rash had caused him physical harm” and that he “has

neither pleaded, nor do the medical records indicate, that Plaintiff had other

symptoms which, together with the rash, would suggest a serious illness.” (Id., p. 13).

They point to caselaw from other courts indicating that eczema is not a serious

medical condition. (See id. (citing Sledge v. Kooi, 564 F.3d 105, 108 (2d Cir. 2009);

Tsakonas v. Cicchi, 308 F. Appx. 628, 632 (3d Cir. 2009); Williams v. Coleman, No.

1:23-cv-646, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 132379, at *9 (W.D. Mich. Jul. 31, 2023); Schmidt

v. Bowens, No. 19-cv-1826-JPS, 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 210044, at *7 (E.D. Wis. Nov.

10, 2020))). The Defendants also argue that they were neither aware of a serious risk

of harm to Boclair nor did they disregard one; they argue that each relied on the

judgment of medical professionals who did not indicate that Boclair’s rash was a

serious risk to his health. (See id., pp. 13–14).

In his Response, Boclair argues that “[a]ll defendants held positions of non-

medical defendants who when informed, in this case by a physician of plaintiffs [sic]

serious medical condition as it pertains to defendant Crain, ignored it completely, did

not investigate nor defer to the prison medical provider.” (Doc. 130, p. 18). He further

argues that Defendants Wills and Price withheld or destroyed “the information

reporting the medical need” and that “Jeffreys had knowledge and reason to actually

believe that prison doctors or healthcare unit (HCU) staff were mistreating or not

treating plaintiff.” (Id.). Regarding Defendant Crain, Boclair argues that she did not

obtain a referral for him to see a specialist until after his psychiatrist texted her. (See

id., p. 19). He argues that Crain intentionally withheld and delayed treatment for

him “after the medical furlough clerk made and set a date for appointment [sic] with

a specialist.” (Id., p. 21 (citing id., Exs. B, D; Gutierrez v. Peters, 111 F.3d 1364, 1371

(7th Cir. 1997))). Regarding Defendant Wills, Boclair refers to an incident where he

showed his rash-covered arms to Wills during a health and safety inspection. (See id.,

p. 22). Boclair argues that his submitted grievance 154-1-21 informed Defendants

Price and Jeffreys of his condition. (See id., pp. 22–23).

Regarding his eczema, Boclair argues that “[a] serious medical condition need

not be life-threating to be serious . . . [r]ather, a serious medical condition is one that

significantly affects the individuals [sic] daily activities, or causes chronic and

substantial pain.” (Id., p. 14 (citing Hayes v. Snyder, 546 F.3d 516, 522–23 (7th Cir.

2008)). Boclair argues that his eczema, manifested as painful rashes and scabs, is

sufficiently serious such that it meets both elements outlined in Gutierrez: “[a]

‘serious’ medical need is one that has been diagnosed by a physician as mandating

treatment or one that is so obvious that even a lay person would easily recognize the

necessity for a doctor’s attention.” 111 F.3d at 1373 (quoting Laaman v. Helgemoe,

437 F. Supp. 269, 311 (D.N.H. 1977)); (see Doc. 130, p. 25 (quoting Gutierrez at 1373)).

Boclair also points to Estelle, in which the “Supreme Court never questioned that on

inmates [sic] painful back injury suffered while unloaded a truck was a serious

medical matter.” (Doc. 130, p. 25 (citing Estelle at 107)).

The first question before the Court is whether Boclair’s eczema qualified as a

“serious” medical condition. Boclair is correct that “the Supreme Court contemplated

that medical conditions far less critical than ‘life-threatening’ would be encompassed

by the term.” Gutierrez at 1370. “Indeed, the inmate in Estelle based his medical care

claim ‘solely on the lack of diagnosis and inadequate treatment of his back injury,’

which had been diagnosed by prison doctors as a lower back strain and treated with

muscle relaxants and pain medication.” Id. at 1370–71 (quoting Estelle at 107). The

Seventh Circuit concluded in Gutierrez that an infected pilonidal cyst was a

sufficiently “serious” medical need, like the back injury in Estelle; injuries from an

assault by prison guards in Cooper v. Casey, 97 F.3d 914, 917–18 (7th Cir. 1996); and

psychological treatment in Antonelli v. Sheahan, 81 F.3d 1422, 1432 (7th Cir. 1996).

See Gutierrez at 1371–72. However, the Seventh Circuit put common colds, toes with

removed toenails, and mild asthma as being outside the ambit of “serious” medical

needs. See id. at 1372 (citing Gibson v. McEvers, 631 F.2d 95 (7th Cir. 1980); Snipes

v. DeTella, 95 F.3d 586, 591 n.1 (7th Cir. 1996), cert. denied, 519 U.S. 1126 (1997);

Oliver v. Deen, 77 F.3d 156 (7th Cir. 1996)).

With all of the above in mind, the Seventh Circuit noted that “[i]t is a far easier

task to identify a few exemplars of conditions so plainly trivial and insignificant as to

be outside the domain of Eighth Amendment concern than it is to articulate a

workable standard for determining ‘seriousness’ at the pleading stage.” Id. at 1372.

Notably, Gutierrez involved a suit dismissed at the pleadings, not a case at the point

of summary judgment as in the instant case. While Boclair is correct that the Seventh

Circuit has not addressed the issue of whether eczema is a serious medical condition

(see Doc. 130, p. 25), this Court has previously determined that a painful rash that

required “multiple creams, steroids, and antihistamines” was “objectively serious.”

Parada v. Wexford Health Sources, Inc., No. 19-CV-00056-SPM, 2023 WL 3918957,

at *4 (S.D. Ill. June 9, 2023). That being said, Boclair states in his deposition that “he

applied some ointment to [his rash] and it would go away for five days, four days,

whatever, it might go away for a little bit longer than that” and that he “don’t think

I had any [rashes] on my body that were bigger than a thumb nail.” Boclair Dep. 84/7–

10, 12–13. This is the only time he mentions the rash disappearing and reappearing,

which means that the treatments he was prescribed seemed to be effective (at least,

at some point) at combating his eczema. Based on the factual record indicating that

Boclair’s course of treatment for his eczema included various creams including

hydrocortisone and antifungals along with special soaps, the Court holds that

Boclair’s eczema was a sufficiently serious medical need in line with the first prong

of the deliberate indifference standard. See Cesal, 851 F.3d at 721.

We then move to the question of whether each of the named Defendants were

deliberately indifferent to Boclair’s rash. In Cesal, the Seventh Circuit found that a

prison physician was not deliberately indifferent to an inmate’s back injury because

there was not “any reason in this record to think that starting with the physician

assistant and nurse was not a reasonable step.” Id. at 723. While Boclair argues that

there were significant delays in his treatment, the Seventh Circuit has stated that

“[o]ne thing which has long been clear in our Eighth Amendment cases is that the

amendment is not coterminous with a medical malpractice claim.” Forbes v. Edgar,

112 F.3d 262, 266 (7th Cir. 1997) (citing Bryant v. Madigan, 84 F.3d 246 (7th Cir.

1996); Oliver v. Deen, 77 F.3d 156 (7th Cir. 1996); Snipes v. DeTella, 95 F.3d 586 (7th

Cir. 1996), cert. denied, 519 U.S. 1126 (1997)). Additionally, prisoners are “not

entitled to the best care possible” but rather “to reasonable measures to meet a

substantial risk of serious harm to her.” Forbes v. Edgar, 112 F.3d 262, 267 (7th Cir.

1997). When a prisoner sought “specific treatment and foolproof protection from

infection,” the Seventh Circuit stated that “[t]he Eight Amendment does not provide

her with either.” Forbes, 112 F.3d at 266.

Boclair does not dispute the fact that none of the named Defendants are

medical professionals. (See Doc. 124, pp. 2–3; Doc. 120, pp. 3–5). The Seventh Circuit

has stated that “[w]e have long recognized that the division of labor within a prison

necessitates that non-medical officials may reasonably defer to the judgment of

medical professionals regarding inmate treatment.” Giles v. Godinez, 914 F.3d 1040,

1049 (7th Cir. 2019), cert. denied, 140 S. Ct. 50 (Mem.). “If a prisoner is under the

care of medical experts . . . a non-medical prison official will generally be justified in

believing that the prisoner is in capable hands.” Id. (quoting Greeno v. Daley, 414

F.3d 645, 656 (7th Cir. 2005)). Additionally, “absent a reason to believe (or actual

knowledge) that prison doctors or their assistants are mistreating (or not treating) a

prisoner, a non-medical prison official . . . will not be chargeable with the Eighth

Amendment scienter requirement of deliberate indifference.” Id. at 1049–50 (quoting

Spruill v. Gillis, 372 F.3d 218, 236 (3d Cir. 2004)). The Seventh Circuit has repeatedly

affirmed district courts’ grant of summary judgment “for non-medical prison officials

who relied on the professional judgment of prison medical staff.” Id. at 1050 (citing

Hayes v. Snyder, 546 F.3d 516, 527–28 (7th Cir. 2008)). In both Giles and in Haynes,

the Seventh Circuit determined that such officials “’were entitled to rely on the

professional judgment of medical prison officials’” and “’nothing in [the medical]

reports made it obvious that [the inmate] might not be receiving adequate care.’” Id.

(citing Hayes at 527–28). Notably, Giles “was receiving regular medical attention

from psychologists, psychiatrists, and mental health professionals,” had emergency

appeals that “were reviewed by the ARB, which found his complaints to be without

merit upon investigation,” and did not “present[] evidence that his grievances were

ignored or mishandled.” Id.

The instant case is analogous to both Giles and to Haynes. Boclair alleges that

he first went to sick call for his rash on October 6, 2020 and was provided with lotion.

(See Doc. 124, p. 3 (citing Doc. 1, p. 7)). He states that he only had the rash for two

weeks at sick call on November 18, 2020 and was prescribed hydrocortisone for it.

(See id., p. 3 (citing id., Ex. C, Bates 000225; id., Ex. B, pp. 84–85)). Additionally,

none of the sick call records provided in this case indicate that any of Boclair’s medical

providers requested a physician referral that was denied or delayed. (See Doc. 124,

Ex. C). The sick call documentation from December 23, 2020 specifically states “none”

in the “MD Referral” box, contrary to what Boclair claims in his Affidavit. (Doc. 124,

Ex. C, p. 20, Bates 000267; Doc. 130, Ex. A, p. 3). While the sick call documentation

from February 19, 2021 states that Boclair requested to speak with a physician, a

referral to a physician was not noted. (Doc. 124, Ex. C, p. 21, Bates 000269).

Additionally, the sick call documentation from March 12, 2021 states that Boclair

was to use Kenalog ointment for 3 months for his rash. (See id., Ex. C, p. 22, Bates

000270). The May 9, 2021 sick call documentation indicates that Boclair claims that

he has had the rash “since last September” and that he has been using cream “for 2–

3 months.” (See id., Ex. C, p. 22, Bates 000275). Dr. Siddiqui’s note from July 13, 2024

indicates that Boclair should be referred to dermatology. (See id., Ex. C, p. 26, Bates

000280). The documentation submitted indicates that Boclair’s referral was to be

submitted “for upcoming collegial” on July 16, 2021 and that “Dr. Ritz has reviewed

the collegial and has approved the request” on July 27, 2021. (See id., Ex. C, pp. 27–

28, Bates 000281–82). The next document from November 15, 2021 indicates that

med furlough notification needed to be approved “for Angela Crain

approval/signature.” (See id., Ex. C, p. 29, Bates 00294). Boclair was seen by a

dermatologist on January 20, 2022. (See id., Ex. C, p. 35, Bates 000324).

While Boclair argues that Defendants stood back while prison healthcare

providers “were mistreating or not treating” him, the factual record shows that

Boclair was seen at sick call multiple times and was prescribed various treatments

for his skin rashes from October 2020 to March 2021. (See Doc. 124, Ex. C; Doc. 130,

p. 18). It is well-established that various dermatologic issues may require multiple

rounds of treatment or a variety of treatments before resolving; even so, Boclair

refused hydrocortisone cream (the front-line treatment for various skin conditions) at

his December 23, 2020 sick call visit. (See Doc. 124, p. 4 (citing Id., Ex. C, Bates

000267)).

As stated above, a prisoner is entitled to “reasonable measures to meet a

substantial risk of serious harm”—not to demand specific care. Forbes v. Edgar, 112

F.3d 262, 267 (7th Cir. 1997). This standard was met here. Regardless of Boclair’s

assertions of deliberate indifference, it was reasonable for each of the non-physician

defendants to rely upon the treatment provided by prison medical officials, who

continued to prescribe various treatments for Boclair’s rash including creams, lotions,

and soaps from October 2020 to July 2021,5 including both before and after the biopsy

ordered on March 12, 2021 indicated that his rash was eczema. (See Doc. 124, Ex. B,

pp. 75–76, 79, 85–86; id., Ex. C, Bates 000270–71, 000325, 000403).

Additionally, none of the named Defendants were deliberately indifferent to

Boclair’s eczema. Regarding Defendant Crain, as Boclair and the Defendants agree,

Crain is not a physician and was not responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of

Boclair’s rash. Boclair argues that the “diagnosis” from his psychiatrist (Dr. Poteat)

shows that he was getting improper care. There are a few issues with this argument,

specifically. First, Dr. Poteat (while a physician) is not an internal medicine, family

medicine, or primary care physician. Second, she is not Boclair’s treating physician

for his physical care, only for psychiatric care; she does not have a physician-patient

therapeutic relationship with him regarding his skin condition. Third, the Court

assumes that she did not perform a full physical exam of Boclair’s genitals before

stating that he might have a “urinary tract fungus”—Boclair states in his Affidavit

that she “looked at his arms, hands, and legs as I rolled up the pant leg.” (Doc. 130,

Ex. A, p. 3). To that end, Boclair’s citation to her progress notes shows that her

5 Documents were not provided with either the Defendants’ Motion nor Boclair’s Response listing

treatment at sick call between July 2021 and January 2022. Boclair does not provide any argument

about his treatment during this time.

“diagnosis” was not conclusive. (See Doc. 130, p. 7; see also Doc. 124, p. 4). Fourth, the

biopsy of Boclair’s lesions showed that Dr. Poteat’s “diagnosis” indicated that his rash

on his arms and legs was not fungal in nature and was atopic dermatitis or psoriasis.6

(Doc. 124, p. 7). Boclair claims that the critical period of time was from December 23,

2020 to March 2021 in his claim that Crain delayed his referral to a physician. (Doc.

130, p. 7). However, while it would appear that Crain must approve and sign off on

individual referrals (see Doc. 124, Ex. C, p. 29, Bates 00294), she does not have any

medical decision-making ability on whether a treating physician requests an outside

referral or not. (See Doc. 130, p. 43).

While Boclair argues that Warden Wills was deliberately indifferent to his rash

after Boclair showed him his rash-covered arms during a walkthrough on February

9, 2021 (Doc. 130, p. 8), Boclair admits that Director of Nursing Kimberly Martin

immediately spoke to him and told Boclair to submit a kite. (Id.). Thus, while Wills

did not personally tell Boclair that he would address his issue, Martin (as a member

of Wills’s staff) promptly addressed it. Thus, Boclair cannot claim that Wills was

deliberately indifferent to his eczema and that he took no action in response to it

when he relied upon the medical judgment of Boclair’s treating providers. The same

is true for Defendants Price and Jeffreys, who Boclair alleges were aware of his

medical issues because of the grievances he filed, including those that he alleges were

6 Boclair states in an Affidavit submitted with his Response that the rash on his genitals was “later

confirmed by a urologist.” (Doc. 130, Ex. A, p. 1). With this in mind, it appears that Boclair was afflicted

with two separate conditions—the eczema on his arms and legs and the separate urinary tract fungus

affecting his genitals. (See Doc. 1, pp. 14–16). The instant lawsuit focuses on his eczema, but also

conflates the two conditions at various points.

destroyed. (See Doc. 124, pp. 4–6 (citing Doc. 1, p. 12; Doc. 74, pp. 5, 34; Doc. 124, Doc.

124, Ex. C, Bates 000166; Doc. 124, Ex. B, pp. 54–55, 57)). The Court notes that the

grievance that Boclair submitted to Director Jeffreys on February 14, 2021 was

returned to Boclair by the ARB for failure to follow the appropriate emergency

grievance procedures. (See Doc. 124, p. 6). Although the named Defendants were

aware of Boclair’s rash, they were “able to relegate to the prison’s medical staff the

provision of good medical care.” Arnett v. Webster, 658 F.3d 742, 756 (7th Cir. 2011)

(citing Burks v. Raemisch, 555 F.3d 592, 595 (7th Cir. 2009)). Like in Arnett, this “is

not a case where [the plaintiff] was being completely ignored by medical staff.” Id.

Instead, Boclair was frequently treated with soap, lotions, and creams that did have

an ameliorative effect on his rash. See Boclair Dep. 84/7–10, 12–13.

This does not, however, explain the six-month delay between July 2021 when

Dr. Siddiqui put in a referral for Boclair and January 2022 when Boclair was seen by

a dermatologist. While, clearly, Defendants Wills and Price were aware of Boclair’s

rash, it is unclear if they were aware of the dermatology referral issued in July 2021.

The same is true for Defendant Jeffries. Defendant Crain was clearly aware of the

referral to dermatology based on the forms submitted to her for approval (see Doc.

124, Ex. C, p. 29, Bates 00294), but the Defendants insist that she did not “have

decision-making authority regarding medical referrals for individuals in custody.”

(Id., p. 13). Other circuits have held that “[a] prison inmate has no independent

constitutional right to outside medical care additional and supplemental to the

medical care provided by the prison staff within the institution.” Roberts v. Spalding,

783 F.2d 867, 870 (9th Cir. 1986). Boclair does not challenge the delay between July

and November 2021 but, rather, the delay between November 15, 2021 (when his

referral was approved) and January 20, 2022 (when he was seen by an outside

dermatologist). (See Doc. 130, p. 3; see Doc. 124, Ex. C, pp. 28–29, Bates 000282–83).

Regarding the timeline, Dr. Siddiqui put in a dermatology referral for Boclair

on July 13, 2021. (See Doc. 124, Ex. C, p. 26, Bates 000280). The Medical Furlough

Clerk indicates on July 16 that a collegial referral was received with plans to submit

it for an “upcoming collegial.” (Id., Ex. C, p. 27, Bates 000281). The collegial referral

was submitted on July 27, 2021. (See id., Ex. C, p. 28, Bates 000282). Boclair was

then scheduled on November 15, 2021 for a dermatology evaluation, which was

conducted on January 20, 2022. (See id., Ex. C, pp. 29–30, Bates 000294, 000297).

While Boclair argues that the delay7 from November 15 to January 20 was deliberate

indifference on the part of Crain, she asserts that she “did not have or exercise

decision-making authority regarding medical referrals of Plaintiff or any other

individuals in custody.” (Doc. 124, p. 10). Therefore, there is no evidence that any of

the named Defendants delayed Boclair’s specialist appointment.

In conclusion, while Boclair has adequately argued that his eczema was a

“serious” medical condition requiring treatment, Seventh Circuit precedent indicates

that the Defendants were entitled to rely upon the medical judgment of Boclair’s

medical treatment team; put another way, they not disregard a substantial risk to

Boclair’s health. Cesal, 851 F.3d at 721. Moreover, there is no evidence that any of

7 While Boclair claims that this was a delay of 53 days, it was, in actuality, a 66-day delay. (See Doc.

130, p. 3).

the Defendants exhibited deliberate indifference to the point of criminal recklessness

sufficient to provide them with the scienter required for a deliberate indifference

claim, especially as none of the Defendants are medical professionals and, based on

the submitted documentation and on Boclair’s Deposition, the prescribed treatment

was efficacious at least some of the time. See Boclair Dep. 84/7–10, 12–13; (see Doc.

124, Ex. C).

III. Qualified Immunity

While the Court need not assess the Defendants’ qualified immunity argument

by virtue of the fact that Boclair’s First and Eighth Amendment claims do not survive

the Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 123), the Court will briefly

discuss the applicability of qualified immunity to the instant facts. In the alternative

to their arguments against each of Boclair’s claims, the Defendants argue that they

are entitled to qualified immunity because “government officials performing

discretionary functions generally are shielded from liability for civil damages if their

conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which

a reasonable person would have known.” (Doc. 124, p. 17 (citing Harlow v. Fitzgerald,

457 U.S. 800, 818 (1982)). They argue that “the facts alleged here do not give rise to

a Constitutional violation” and that “Defendants could not have known that they

might be liable for either deliberate indifference or retaliation when they did not

actually participate in any aspect of Plaintiff’s medical care.” (Id., pp. 18–19). Boclair

argues that they are not entitled to qualified immunity because he argues that the

Defendants engaged in First Amendment retaliation and Eighth Amendment

deliberate indifference toward him. (See Doc. 130, pp. 27–29).

“Qualified immunity is an affirmative defense, but once it is raised the burden

shifts to the plaintiff to defeat it.” Holleman v. Zatecky, 951 F.3d 873, 877 (7th Cir.

2020) (citing Sparing v. Vill. of Olympia Fields, 266 F.3d 684, 688 (7th Cir. 2001)).

“To overcome qualified immunity, the facts viewed in the light most favorable to [the

plaintiff] must ‘show that the defendant[s] violated a constitutional right’ and that

‘the right was clearly established at [that] time.’” Id. (quoting Estate of Clark v.

Walker, 865 F.3d 544, 550 (7th Cir. 2017)).

Recall that “[t]o prevail on a First Amendment retaliation claim, a plaintiff

must establish three elements”: (1) “he must show he engaged in protected First

Amendment activity,” (2) “he must show an adverse action was taken against him,”

and (3) “he must show his protected conduct was at least a motivating factor of the

adverse action.” Id. at 878 (citing Bridges v. Gilbert, 557 F.3d 541, 546 (7th Cir.

2009)). As discussed supra, Boclair has failed to meet the second prong of this test

because he has not shown that his 2018 lawsuit or the various grievances he filed

caused any of the Defendants to delay or prevent care for his eczema. He has also

failed to establish causation in line with the third prong of the test. Therefore, he has

not shown that the Defendants violated a constitutional right and the Defendants

would thus be entitled to qualified immunity as related to his First Amendment

claim.

Regarding his Eighth Amendment claim, the Seventh Circuit has established

that “[w]hen considering deliberate-indifference claims challenging the medical

judgment of prison healthcare personnel, qualified-immunity analysis requires us to

frame the legal question with reasonable specificity.” Campbell v. Kallas, 936 F.3d

536, 546 (7th Cir. 2019). In Campbell, the Seventh Circuit determined that “[t]he

proper inquiry is whether then-existing caselaw clearly established a constitutional

right to gender-dysphoria treatment beyond hormone therapy” not “that ‘denying

effective treatment’ for Campbell’s medical condition violates the Eighth

Amendment” because the latter “formulation—which is basically a highly

conceptualized version of the deliberate-indifference standard—is far too general.”

Id. at 546. Additionally, “‘[f]or purposes of qualified immunity, [the Eighth-

Amendment] duty’ to treat prisoners’ serious medical conditions ‘need not be litigated

and then established disease by disease or injury by injury.’” Id. at 548 (quoting Est.

of Clark, 865 F.3d at 553). Moreover, “[w]hen prison officials utterly fail to provide

care for a serious medical condition, the constitutional violation is obvious and

qualified immunity offers little protection.” Id. (citing Orlowski v. Milwaukee County,

872 F.3d 417, 422 (7th Cir. 2017)).

Here, Boclair cannot argue that his eczema was not treated at all, which is

clearly not the case. His argument, then, is that prison officials persisted in eczema

treatment that was ineffective. See id. at 547 (quoting Greeno v. Daley, 414 F.3d 645,

655 (7th Cir. 2005) (citing Petties v. Carter, 836 F.3d 722, 729–30 (7th Cir. 2016), as

amended (Aug. 25, 2016)). This argument also fails because it has clearly been

established that the Defedants treated Boclair’s eczema. Like in Campbell, there is

no Circuit precedent indicating that the course of care for his eczema violated a

constitutional right, meaning the Defendants were not on notice of a constitutional

violation and would be entitled to qualified immunity if the Court reached that

question.

CONCLUSION

For the reasons set forth above, the Court GRANTS Defendants Angela Crain,

Rob Jeffreys, Heather Price, and Warden Anthony Wills’s Motion for Summary

Judgment. (Doc. 123). This case is DISMISSED with prejudice. The Clerk of Court

is DIRECTED to close this case on the Court’s docket.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: August 6, 2024

/s/ Stephen P. McGlynn_

STEPHEN P. McGLYNN

U.S. District Judge