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ROSS v. GIBCO MOTOR EXPRESS, LLC, 12-cv-184-JPG. (2012)

Court: District Court, S.D. Illinois Number: infdco20120309965
Filed: Mar. 08, 2012
Latest Update: Mar. 08, 2012
Summary: MEMORANDUM AND ORDER J. PHIL GILBERT, District Judge. In light of Seventh Circuit admonitions, see Foster v. Hill, 497 F.3d 695 , 696-97 (7th Cir. 2007), the Court has undertaken a rigorous initial review of pleadings to ensure that jurisdiction has been properly pled. The Court has noted the following defects in the jurisdictional allegations of the Complaint (Doc. 2) filed by plaintiff Tyrone Ross: • Failure to allege a the citizenship of each member of an unincorporated association.
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MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

J. PHIL GILBERT, District Judge.

In light of Seventh Circuit admonitions, see Foster v. Hill, 497 F.3d 695, 696-97 (7th Cir. 2007), the Court has undertaken a rigorous initial review of pleadings to ensure that jurisdiction has been properly pled. The Court has noted the following defects in the jurisdictional allegations of the Complaint (Doc. 2) filed by plaintiff Tyrone Ross:

Failure to allege a the citizenship of each member of an unincorporated association. To determine if complete diversity exists, the Court must examine the citizenship of each member of a limited liability company. See Belleville Catering Co. v. Champaign Market Place, L.L.C., 350 F.3d 691, 692 (7th Cir. 2003). The relevant pleading must affirmatively allege the specific states of citizenship of each member of the limited liability company, and "the citizenship of unincorporated associations must be traced through however many layers of partners or members there may be." Meyerson v. Harrah's E. Chicago Casino, 299 F.3d 616, 617 (7th Cir. 2002). The complaint alleges the residences of the owners of defendant Gibco Motor Express, LLC, but it does not allege the citizenships of the members of the limited liability company.

Failure to allege the citizenship of an individual. A complaint asserting diversity jurisdiction must allege the citizenship of an individual, not merely residence. 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a)(1); Meyerson v. Harrah's East Chicago Casino, 299 F.3d 616, 617 (7th Cir. 2002); Held v. Held, 137 F.3d 998, 1000 (7th Cir. 1998). Allegations of "residence" are jurisdictionally insufficient. Steigleder v. McQuesten, 198 U.S. 141 (1905). Dismissal is appropriate where parties allege residence but not citizenship. Held, 137 F.3d at 1000. The complaint alleges the plaintiff's residence, not his citizenship.

The Court hereby ORDERS that plaintiff Tyrone Ross shall have up to and including March 23, 2012, to amend the faulty pleading to correct the jurisdictional defect. Failure to amend the faulty pleading may result in dismissal of this case for lack of subject matter jurisdiction or for failure to prosecute pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b). Amendment of the faulty pleading to reflect an adequate basis for subject matter jurisdiction will satisfy this order. The plaintiff is directed to consult Local Rule 15.1 regarding amended pleadings and need not seek leave of Court to file such amended pleading.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Source:  Leagle

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