Jeff Strong v. Illinois Department of Human Services

* The appellee was not served with process in the district court and is not
participating in this appeal. After examining the briefs and the record, we have concluded
that oral argument is unnecessary. Thus, the appeal is submitted on the briefs and the
record. See FED. R. A PP. P. 34(a)(2).
United States Court of Appeals
For the Seventh Circuit
Chicago, Illinois 60604
Submitted November 13, 2008 *
Decided November 13, 2008
Before
DANIEL A. MANION, Circuit Judge
ANN CLAIRE WILLIAMS, Circuit Judge
DIANE S. SYKES, Circuit Judge
No. 08‐2568
JEFF STRONG,
Plaintiff‐Appellant,
v.
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN
SERVICES,
Defendant‐Appellee.
Appeal from the United States District
Court for the Southern District of Illinois.
No. 08‐017‐WDS
William D. Stiehl,
Judge.
O R D E R
Jeff Strong sued the Illinois Department of Human Services for discriminating
against him, apparently in relation to the way it adjudicated the status of a traumatic brain
injury he suffered. He sought relief under the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 974, and the
Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12132. The district court screened the
NONPRECEDENTIAL DISPOSITION
To be cited only in accordance with
Fed. R. App. P. 32.1

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No. 08‐2568 Page 2
complaint and dismissed it for failure to state a claim because the State of Illinois is immune
from suit under either the ADA or Rehabilitation Act.
An appellate brief must contain legal argument, citation to legal authority, and a
statement of the issues presented for review. FED. R. A PP. P. 28(a). Strong’s brief recounts
his medical, educational, and vocational history, and narrates his interactions with the State,
but he provides no legal argument or citation to supporting authority. Although we
liberally construe pro se filings, “still we must be able to discern cogent arguments in any
appellate brief, even from a pro se litigant.” Anderson v. Hardman, 241 F.3d 544, 545 (7th Cir.
2001).
DISMISSED.

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