{"attribution":{"source":"legal.exploreworldai.com","canonical":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/judgment-text?id=us:ca7-25-1116-2026-07-31","cite_as":"NovaCopilot, legal.exploreworldai.com (https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/judgment-text?id=us:ca7-25-1116-2026-07-31)","license":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/revision","version":"legal-2026-10-18","fingerprint":"ewai:us:efda2f","proof":"sha256:d946e37e94f6fccb67ec0d7133912fd34fcd844c45d6057680a498a4a0d4e713","jurisdiction":"us","lang":"en","publisher":"NovaCopilot by ExploreWorld Legal","terms":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/om"},"brand_source":"Source: NovaCopilot","item":{"schema_version":"1.0.0","id":"us:ca7-25-1116-2026-07-31","jurisdiction":"us","lang":"en","brand_source":"Source: NovaCopilot","brand":{"product":"NovaCopilot","platform":"ExploreWorldAI","infrastructure":"ExploreWorld Legal","infrastructure_url":"legal.exploreworldai.com","legal_entity":"Valkiv Ventures AB","permanent_url":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/novacopilot","source":"Source: NovaCopilot","powered_by":"Powered by NovaCopilot","license":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/licensvillkor"},"sections":[{"title":"In the","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"United States Court of Appeals","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"For the Seventh Circuit","paragraphs":["para_4"]},{"title":"No. 25-1116","paragraphs":["para_6","para_7","para_8","para_9","para_10","para_11"]},{"title":"Appeal from the United States District Court for the","paragraphs":["para_13","para_14","para_15"]},{"title":"SUBMITTED APRIL 14, 2026 — DECIDED JULY 31, 2026","paragraphs":["para_17","para_18"]},{"title":"KOLAR, Circuit Judge. Jimia Stokes worked for Wexford","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"Health Services, Inc., a contractor that staffed Illinois state","paragraphs":["para_21"]},{"title":"Pontiac Correctional Center in Pontiac, Illinois. She resigned","paragraphs":["para_23","para_24"]},{"title":"Wexford and the Illinois Department of Corrections, alleging","paragraphs":["para_26"]},{"title":"2 No. 25-1116","paragraphs":["para_28","para_29"]},{"title":"But she appeals the district court’s order granting summary","paragraphs":["para_31","para_32","para_33"]},{"title":"1991), the department was not her joint employer and thus","paragraphs":["para_35"]},{"title":"I. Background","paragraphs":["para_37","para_38","para_39","para_40"]},{"title":"A. Factual Background","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"The department contracted with Wexford to provide men-","paragraphs":["para_43","para_44","para_45","para_46","para_47","para_48","para_49"]},{"title":"In 2017 Stokes applied through and interviewed with","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"Wexford for a mental-healthcare position at Pontiac. An em-","paragraphs":["para_52"]},{"title":"1 We decide this case without oral argument because the briefs and","paragraphs":["para_54","para_55"]},{"title":"No. 25-1116 3","paragraphs":["para_57","para_58"]},{"title":"After she was hired, Stokes received Wexford’s policies","paragraphs":["para_60","para_61"]},{"title":"She did not receive Pontiac’s policies or participate in training","paragraphs":["para_63","para_64","para_65","para_66"]},{"title":"One Wexford policy Stokes received when she was hired","paragraphs":["para_68"]},{"title":"Pontiac had “the authority to define appropriate standards","paragraphs":["para_70","para_71","para_72"]},{"title":"Wexford employee did not comply, the employee must leave","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"Pontiac to “change attire … and then return to work.”","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"Pontiac, in turn, treated dress as a security matter, because","paragraphs":["para_76","para_77","para_78","para_79"]},{"title":"Stokes began working at Pontiac in February 2018. Wex-","paragraphs":["para_81","para_82","para_83","para_84","para_85","para_86"]},{"title":"4 No. 25-1116","paragraphs":["para_88","para_89","para_90"]},{"title":"Pontiac. And Pontiac personnel testified they did not disci-","paragraphs":["para_92"]},{"title":"Problems with Stokes’s clothing began in May 2018, when","paragraphs":["para_94","para_95","para_96","para_97","para_98","para_99","para_100","para_101","para_102","para_103"]},{"title":"A few days after the July incident, the same lieutenant and","paragraphs":["para_105","para_106","para_107","para_108","para_109","para_110","para_111","para_112"]},{"title":"And she alleged Pontiac retaliated against her in response to","paragraphs":["para_114","para_115","para_116","para_117"]},{"title":"No. 25-1116 5","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"Stokes was not disciplined or fired for her alleged miscon-","paragraphs":["para_120"]},{"title":"B. Procedural Background","paragraphs":["para_122","para_123","para_124","para_125","para_126"]},{"title":"The department moved for summary judgment. It argued","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"(among other things) that it was not liable to Stokes because","paragraphs":["para_129","para_130"]},{"title":"Stokes then voluntarily dismissed Wexford and appealed the","paragraphs":["para_132"]},{"title":"II. Discussion","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"We conclude the district court correctly granted summary","paragraphs":["para_135","para_136","para_137","para_138"]},{"title":"A. Appellate Jurisdiction","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"Stokes appealed through 28 U.S.C. § 1291, which gives us","paragraphs":["para_141","para_142","para_143","para_144"]},{"title":"499, 503 (7th Cir. 2019). To make clear when a judgment is fi-","paragraphs":["para_146","para_147"]},{"title":"6 No. 25-1116","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"58(a). Here the district court did not do so, and the parties","paragraphs":["para_150"]},{"title":"But this omission “is not fatal to our jurisdiction” if the","paragraphs":["para_152","para_153"]},{"title":"851, 854 (7th Cir. 2018). We are satisfied the district court did","paragraphs":["para_155","para_156","para_157","para_158","para_159","para_160"]},{"title":"B. Summary Judgment","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"We review the grant of summary judgment de novo. Fuller","paragraphs":["para_163","para_164"]},{"title":"Memorial Hospital, 13 F.3d 1082, 1086 n.4 (7th Cir. 1994). Ra-","paragraphs":["para_166","para_167","para_168"]},{"title":"2011). That said, she must identify specific evidence to defeat","paragraphs":["para_170"]},{"title":"322–26 (1986). Summary judgment is proper “where there are","paragraphs":["para_172","para_173"]},{"title":"2 The department does not argue Stokes’s appeal was untimely under","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"Fed. R. App. P. 4(a), so we do not consider timeliness. Vergara v. City of","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"Chicago, 939 F.3d 882, 885 (7th Cir. 2019) (this deadline is a mandatory","paragraphs":["para_177"]},{"title":"No. 25-1116 7","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"Title VII says an employer may not “fail or refuse to hire","paragraphs":["para_180","para_181","para_182"]},{"title":"(relevant here) “such individual’s race, color,” or “sex.” 42","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"U.S.C. § 2000e–2(a)(1). Everyone agrees that the department","paragraphs":["para_185"]},{"title":"U.S.C. § 2000e(b); Bronson v. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"Hospital of Chicago, 69 F.4th 437, 448 (7th Cir. 2023) (“Only an","paragraphs":["para_188","para_189","para_190","para_191","para_192"]},{"title":"And whether the department is one of them—whether it","paragraphs":["para_194"]},{"title":"Bronson, 69 F.4th at 449. We use a five-factor test to determine","paragraphs":["para_196","para_197","para_198","para_199"]},{"title":"(1) the extent of the purported employer’s con-","paragraphs":["para_201","para_202","para_203","para_204","para_205","para_206","para_207","para_208"]},{"title":"8 No. 25-1116","paragraphs":["para_210","para_211","para_212"]},{"title":"2017) (quoting Knight, 950 F.2d at 378–79) (cleaned up). The","paragraphs":["para_214","para_215"]},{"title":"Considering each factor in turn, minus the fifth factor be-","paragraphs":["para_217","para_218"]},{"title":"Control. In considering how Stokes was controlled and","paragraphs":["para_220","para_221"]},{"title":"F.3d at 929; Bronson, 69 F.4th at 449. We also consider those","paragraphs":["para_223","para_224"]},{"title":"Wexford, not the department, controlled Stokes and how","paragraphs":["para_226","para_227","para_228","para_229","para_230","para_231","para_232","para_233"]},{"title":"To be sure, the department completely controlled the","paragraphs":["para_235","para_236","para_237"]},{"title":"449. Indeed, the record suggests the exact opposite: that Wex-","paragraphs":["para_239"]},{"title":"No. 25-1116 9","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"Nor does our conclusion change because the department","paragraphs":["para_242","para_243","para_244","para_245","para_246"]},{"title":"Acosta, 285 F.3d 544, 551 (7th Cir. 2002) (cleaned up). These","paragraphs":["para_248","para_249","para_250"]},{"title":"(cleaned up). Indeed, “it is very common for service providers","paragraphs":["para_252","para_253","para_254"]},{"title":"Stokes next argues the department exercised control over","paragraphs":["para_256","para_257","para_258","para_259","para_260","para_261","para_262","para_263"]},{"title":"Stokes also insists the department could discipline (and so","paragraphs":["para_265"]},{"title":"The department’s employees testified that they disciplined","paragraphs":["para_267","para_268","para_269","para_270","para_271"]},{"title":"10 No. 25-1116","paragraphs":["para_273","para_274","para_275","para_276","para_277","para_278"]},{"title":"Skills. Next, we consider whether the department pro-","paragraphs":["para_280","para_281"]},{"title":"Stokes obtained her primary credentials—a master’s de-","paragraphs":["para_283","para_284","para_285","para_286","para_287","para_288"]},{"title":"Even if the department trained her to work in a prison set-","paragraphs":["para_290","para_291","para_292","para_293","para_294","para_295"]},{"title":"With no evidence that the department provided Stokes","paragraphs":["para_297","para_298"]},{"title":"Supplies. We must also consider whether the department","paragraphs":["para_300","para_301","para_302"]},{"title":"No. 25-1116 11","paragraphs":["para_304","para_305"]},{"title":"930. Though this factor is a closer call, we conclude it too sug-","paragraphs":["para_307"]},{"title":"The department maintained the premises where Stokes","paragraphs":["para_309","para_310","para_311"]},{"title":"50. And merely incurring ancillary costs in “hosting” Stokes—","paragraphs":["para_313","para_314","para_315"]},{"title":"Stokes worked on-site as an independent contractor, not as an","paragraphs":["para_317"]},{"title":"101 F.3d 487, 493 (7th Cir. 1996) (anesthesiologist not an em-","paragraphs":["para_319","para_320"]},{"title":"Given the department merely provided Stokes with sup-","paragraphs":["para_322","para_323"]},{"title":"Pay. Last, we consider who paid Stokes. Nischan, 865 F.3d","paragraphs":["para_325","para_326","para_327","para_328"]},{"title":"In sum, the four Knight factors at issue here point to one","paragraphs":["para_330","para_331"]},{"title":"12 No. 25-1116","paragraphs":["para_333","para_334"]},{"title":"III. Conclusion","paragraphs":[]},{"title":"We AFFIRM the district court’s order granting summary","paragraphs":["para_337"]}],"paragraphs":[{"text":"In the","paragraph_id":"para_1"},{"text":"United States Court of Appeals","paragraph_id":"para_2"},{"text":"For the Seventh Circuit","paragraph_id":"para_3"},{"text":"____________________","paragraph_id":"para_4"},{"text":"No. 25-1116","paragraph_id":"para_5"},{"text":"JIMIA STOKES,","paragraph_id":"para_6"},{"text":"Plaintiff-Appellant,","paragraph_id":"para_7"},{"text":"v.","paragraph_id":"para_8"},{"text":"ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS,","paragraph_id":"para_9"},{"text":"Defendant-Appellee.","paragraph_id":"para_10"},{"text":"____________________","paragraph_id":"para_11"},{"text":"Appeal from the United States District Court for the","paragraph_id":"para_12"},{"text":"Central District of Illinois.","paragraph_id":"para_13"},{"text":"No. 1:21-cv-01075 — Jonathan E. Hawley, Judge.","paragraph_id":"para_14"},{"text":"____________________","paragraph_id":"para_15"},{"text":"SUBMITTED APRIL 14, 2026 — DECIDED JULY 31, 2026","paragraph_id":"para_16"},{"text":"____________________","paragraph_id":"para_17"},{"text":"Before HAMILTON, KIRSCH, and KOLAR, Circuit Judges.","paragraph_id":"para_18"},{"text":"KOLAR, Circuit Judge. Jimia Stokes worked for Wexford","paragraph_id":"para_19"},{"text":"Health Services, Inc., a contractor that staffed Illinois state","paragraph_id":"para_20"},{"text":"prisons with mental-health professionals. Her position was at","paragraph_id":"para_21"},{"text":"Pontiac Correctional Center in Pontiac, Illinois. She resigned","paragraph_id":"para_22"},{"text":"after she was repeatedly confronted at work for wearing al-","paragraph_id":"para_23"},{"text":"legedly inappropriate clothing. After she resigned, she sued","paragraph_id":"para_24"},{"text":"Wexford and the Illinois Department of Corrections, alleging","paragraph_id":"para_25"},{"text":"they violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by","paragraph_id":"para_26"},{"text":"2 No. 25-1116","paragraph_id":"para_27"},{"text":"discriminating against her based on her race and sex. She dis-","paragraph_id":"para_28"},{"text":"missed her claims against Wexford, so those are not before us.","paragraph_id":"para_29"},{"text":"But she appeals the district court’s order granting summary","paragraph_id":"para_30"},{"text":"judgment to the department. The court concluded these","paragraph_id":"para_31"},{"text":"claims fail because, under our five-factor test in Knight v.","paragraph_id":"para_32"},{"text":"United Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co., 950 F.2d 377 (7th Cir.","paragraph_id":"para_33"},{"text":"1991), the department was not her joint employer and thus","paragraph_id":"para_34"},{"text":"not liable to her under Title VII. We agree and thus affirm.1","paragraph_id":"para_35"},{"text":"I. Background","paragraph_id":"para_36"},{"text":"We recount the facts in the light most favorable to Stokes,","paragraph_id":"para_37"},{"text":"and draw all reasonable inferences in her favor, because she","paragraph_id":"para_38"},{"text":"opposes summary judgment. Taylor v. Schwarzhuber, 132 F.4th","paragraph_id":"para_39"},{"text":"480, 486 (7th Cir. 2025).","paragraph_id":"para_40"},{"text":"A. Factual Background","paragraph_id":"para_41"},{"text":"The department contracted with Wexford to provide men-","paragraph_id":"para_42"},{"text":"tal-health services at its facilities, including Pontiac, a prison","paragraph_id":"para_43"},{"text":"for men. Wexford, the “vendor,” served as an independent","paragraph_id":"para_44"},{"text":"contractor, not an agent or employee of the department. As","paragraph_id":"para_45"},{"text":"part of its duties Wexford was responsible for hiring individ-","paragraph_id":"para_46"},{"text":"ual employees to staff Pontiac’s medical units, subject to the","paragraph_id":"para_47"},{"text":"department’s approval. Wexford also transferred employees","paragraph_id":"para_48"},{"text":"among state facilities as needed.","paragraph_id":"para_49"},{"text":"In 2017 Stokes applied through and interviewed with","paragraph_id":"para_50"},{"text":"Wexford for a mental-healthcare position at Pontiac. An em-","paragraph_id":"para_51"},{"text":"ployee from Wexford coordinated her interview and","paragraph_id":"para_52"},{"text":"1 We decide this case without oral argument because the briefs and","paragraph_id":"para_53"},{"text":"record adequately present the facts and legal arguments, and oral argu-","paragraph_id":"para_54"},{"text":"ment would not significantly aid the court. Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2)(C).","paragraph_id":"para_55"},{"text":"No. 25-1116 3","paragraph_id":"para_56"},{"text":"instructed her to fill out forms for both Wexford and the de-","paragraph_id":"para_57"},{"text":"partment. Wexford then hired Stokes.","paragraph_id":"para_58"},{"text":"After she was hired, Stokes received Wexford’s policies","paragraph_id":"para_59"},{"text":"and new-employee manual, and she completed new-hire","paragraph_id":"para_60"},{"text":"training with Wexford, which included some clinical training.","paragraph_id":"para_61"},{"text":"She did not receive Pontiac’s policies or participate in training","paragraph_id":"para_62"},{"text":"there. Pontiac provided her a radio and keys, though it some-","paragraph_id":"para_63"},{"text":"times provided personnel computers or desks, too. Wexford","paragraph_id":"para_64"},{"text":"was responsible for providing medical personnel like Stokes","paragraph_id":"para_65"},{"text":"pagers so they could be contacted while off site.","paragraph_id":"para_66"},{"text":"One Wexford policy Stokes received when she was hired","paragraph_id":"para_67"},{"text":"governed personal appearance. This policy explained that","paragraph_id":"para_68"},{"text":"Pontiac had “the authority to define appropriate standards","paragraph_id":"para_69"},{"text":"for personal appearance” for those “contractor[s] operating","paragraph_id":"para_70"},{"text":"in” Pontiac. Wexford’s policy required its employees to com-","paragraph_id":"para_71"},{"text":"ply with Pontiac’s “standards of personal appearance.” If a","paragraph_id":"para_72"},{"text":"Wexford employee did not comply, the employee must leave","paragraph_id":"para_73"},{"text":"Pontiac to “change attire … and then return to work.”","paragraph_id":"para_74"},{"text":"Pontiac, in turn, treated dress as a security matter, because","paragraph_id":"para_75"},{"text":"inappropriate dress might subject personnel to additional at-","paragraph_id":"para_76"},{"text":"tention, heckling, or even assault. Thus, everyone working in","paragraph_id":"para_77"},{"text":"the prison was told to “dress professionally in attire that is …","paragraph_id":"para_78"},{"text":"appropriate for their respective assignments.”","paragraph_id":"para_79"},{"text":"Stokes began working at Pontiac in February 2018. Wex-","paragraph_id":"para_80"},{"text":"ford controlled most all her work. All her paychecks came","paragraph_id":"para_81"},{"text":"from Wexford. And Wexford set and managed her day-to-day","paragraph_id":"para_82"},{"text":"schedule. She worked with a Wexford staff coordinator to","paragraph_id":"para_83"},{"text":"choose her shifts, and each day Wexford gave her a list of in-","paragraph_id":"para_84"},{"text":"mates to care for. Wexford’s mental-health-services director","paragraph_id":"para_85"},{"text":"managed Stokes directly. The director was himself supervised","paragraph_id":"para_86"},{"text":"4 No. 25-1116","paragraph_id":"para_87"},{"text":"by another Wexford employee. Further, the lines of authority","paragraph_id":"para_88"},{"text":"were clear: Wexford controlled Wexford staff. Stokes’s super-","paragraph_id":"para_89"},{"text":"visors testified that they disciplined only Wexford staff at","paragraph_id":"para_90"},{"text":"Pontiac. And Pontiac personnel testified they did not disci-","paragraph_id":"para_91"},{"text":"pline Wexford staff at Pontiac.","paragraph_id":"para_92"},{"text":"Problems with Stokes’s clothing began in May 2018, when","paragraph_id":"para_93"},{"text":"her supervisor claimed he could see impressions of her nip-","paragraph_id":"para_94"},{"text":"ples through her shirt. A lieutenant at Pontiac lodged an iden-","paragraph_id":"para_95"},{"text":"tical complaint in July. A shift supervisor, a major at Pontiac,","paragraph_id":"para_96"},{"text":"agreed and told Stokes to go home, change, and return to","paragraph_id":"para_97"},{"text":"work. Pontiac later investigated this July incident by inter-","paragraph_id":"para_98"},{"text":"viewing (among others) Stokes, her supervisor, the lieuten-","paragraph_id":"para_99"},{"text":"ant, and the major. The ensuing report concluded that Stokes","paragraph_id":"para_100"},{"text":"had violated Pontiac’s code of conduct by failing to follow the","paragraph_id":"para_101"},{"text":"lieutenant’s directions on her attire, though the report im-","paragraph_id":"para_102"},{"text":"posed no discipline on Stokes.","paragraph_id":"para_103"},{"text":"A few days after the July incident, the same lieutenant and","paragraph_id":"para_104"},{"text":"major confronted Stokes about a report that her clothing","paragraph_id":"para_105"},{"text":"showed her underwear. Stokes demonstrated her underwear","paragraph_id":"para_106"},{"text":"was not showing by lifting her shirt and turning around. Sim-","paragraph_id":"para_107"},{"text":"ilarly, an assistant warden confronted Stokes about a report","paragraph_id":"para_108"},{"text":"that she had worn a shirt that showed her midriff. And her","paragraph_id":"para_109"},{"text":"supervisor called her into her office to address a report that","paragraph_id":"para_110"},{"text":"she had worn leggings to work.","paragraph_id":"para_111"},{"text":"Stokes lodged complaints about these and other incidents.","paragraph_id":"para_112"},{"text":"And she alleged Pontiac retaliated against her in response to","paragraph_id":"para_113"},{"text":"these complaints. For example, she claimed a prison guard","paragraph_id":"para_114"},{"text":"trapped her in an interstitial hallway—a hallway between","paragraph_id":"para_115"},{"text":"doors that a guard must unlock for one to pass through—be-","paragraph_id":"para_116"},{"text":"cause she had complained about another guard.","paragraph_id":"para_117"},{"text":"No. 25-1116 5","paragraph_id":"para_118"},{"text":"Stokes was not disciplined or fired for her alleged miscon-","paragraph_id":"para_119"},{"text":"duct. Rather, in November 2018, she resigned.","paragraph_id":"para_120"},{"text":"B. Procedural Background","paragraph_id":"para_121"},{"text":"Stokes sued Wexford and the department. Relevant here,","paragraph_id":"para_122"},{"text":"she alleged they violated Title VII by discriminating against","paragraph_id":"para_123"},{"text":"her based on her race and sex, subjecting her to a hostile work","paragraph_id":"para_124"},{"text":"environment resulting in her constructive discharge, and re-","paragraph_id":"para_125"},{"text":"taliating against her.","paragraph_id":"para_126"},{"text":"The department moved for summary judgment. It argued","paragraph_id":"para_127"},{"text":"(among other things) that it was not liable to Stokes because","paragraph_id":"para_128"},{"text":"it did not jointly employ her with Wexford. The district court","paragraph_id":"para_129"},{"text":"agreed and entered summary judgment for the department.","paragraph_id":"para_130"},{"text":"Stokes then voluntarily dismissed Wexford and appealed the","paragraph_id":"para_131"},{"text":"court’s order granting summary judgment to the department.","paragraph_id":"para_132"},{"text":"II. Discussion","paragraph_id":"para_133"},{"text":"We conclude the district court correctly granted summary","paragraph_id":"para_134"},{"text":"judgment to the department. But before we get to summary","paragraph_id":"para_135"},{"text":"judgment, we must assure ourselves that our appellate juris-","paragraph_id":"para_136"},{"text":"diction is secure. Minnesota Life Insurance Co. v. Kagan, 724 F.3d","paragraph_id":"para_137"},{"text":"843, 846 (7th Cir. 2013).","paragraph_id":"para_138"},{"text":"A. Appellate Jurisdiction","paragraph_id":"para_139"},{"text":"Stokes appealed through 28 U.S.C. § 1291, which gives us","paragraph_id":"para_140"},{"text":"appellate jurisdiction over “final decisions of the district","paragraph_id":"para_141"},{"text":"courts.” A decision is final if it “ends the litigation on the mer-","paragraph_id":"para_142"},{"text":"its and leaves nothing for the district court to do but execute","paragraph_id":"para_143"},{"text":"the judgment.” West v. Louisville Gas & Electric Co., 920 F.3d","paragraph_id":"para_144"},{"text":"499, 503 (7th Cir. 2019). To make clear when a judgment is fi-","paragraph_id":"para_145"},{"text":"nal and thus appealable, Rule 58 direct district courts to enter","paragraph_id":"para_146"},{"text":"“[e]very judgment” in a “separate document.” Fed. R. Civ. P.","paragraph_id":"para_147"},{"text":"6 No. 25-1116","paragraph_id":"para_148"},{"text":"58(a). Here the district court did not do so, and the parties","paragraph_id":"para_149"},{"text":"never asked it to.","paragraph_id":"para_150"},{"text":"But this omission “is not fatal to our jurisdiction” if the","paragraph_id":"para_151"},{"text":"court “has otherwise indicated its intent to finally dispose of","paragraph_id":"para_152"},{"text":"all claims.” Wisconsin Central Ltd. v. TiEnergy, LLC, 894 F.3d","paragraph_id":"para_153"},{"text":"851, 854 (7th Cir. 2018). We are satisfied the district court did","paragraph_id":"para_154"},{"text":"so here. The court entered judgment for the department in a","paragraph_id":"para_155"},{"text":"text order, which disposed of all those claims. When it dis-","paragraph_id":"para_156"},{"text":"missed Wexford in another text order, it “terminated” the ac-","paragraph_id":"para_157"},{"text":"tion and denied all other motions as “moot.” These orders","paragraph_id":"para_158"},{"text":"show the court was finished with the case when Stokes ap-","paragraph_id":"para_159"},{"text":"pealed. On to the merits.2","paragraph_id":"para_160"},{"text":"B. Summary Judgment","paragraph_id":"para_161"},{"text":"We review the grant of summary judgment de novo. Fuller","paragraph_id":"para_162"},{"text":"v. McDonough, 84 F.4th 686, 690 (7th Cir. 2023). We thus “need","paragraph_id":"para_163"},{"text":"not scrutinize the district court’s reasoning.” Harris v. Bellin","paragraph_id":"para_164"},{"text":"Memorial Hospital, 13 F.3d 1082, 1086 n.4 (7th Cir. 1994). Ra-","paragraph_id":"para_165"},{"text":"ther, we examine the record anew, in the light most favorable","paragraph_id":"para_166"},{"text":"to Stokes, and draw all reasonable inferences in her favor. See","paragraph_id":"para_167"},{"text":"O’Leary v. Accretive Health, Inc., 657 F.3d 625, 630 (7th Cir.","paragraph_id":"para_168"},{"text":"2011). That said, she must identify specific evidence to defeat","paragraph_id":"para_169"},{"text":"summary judgment. See Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317,","paragraph_id":"para_170"},{"text":"322–26 (1986). Summary judgment is proper “where there are","paragraph_id":"para_171"},{"text":"no genuine issues of material fact and the movant is entitled","paragraph_id":"para_172"},{"text":"to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a).","paragraph_id":"para_173"},{"text":"2 The department does not argue Stokes’s appeal was untimely under","paragraph_id":"para_174"},{"text":"Fed. R. App. P. 4(a), so we do not consider timeliness. Vergara v. City of","paragraph_id":"para_175"},{"text":"Chicago, 939 F.3d 882, 885 (7th Cir. 2019) (this deadline is a mandatory","paragraph_id":"para_176"},{"text":"claims-processing rule that may be forfeited).","paragraph_id":"para_177"},{"text":"No. 25-1116 7","paragraph_id":"para_178"},{"text":"Title VII says an employer may not “fail or refuse to hire","paragraph_id":"para_179"},{"text":"or to discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate","paragraph_id":"para_180"},{"text":"against any individual with respect to his compensation,","paragraph_id":"para_181"},{"text":"terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of”","paragraph_id":"para_182"},{"text":"(relevant here) “such individual’s race, color,” or “sex.” 42","paragraph_id":"para_183"},{"text":"U.S.C. § 2000e–2(a)(1). Everyone agrees that the department","paragraph_id":"para_184"},{"text":"is an “employer” as generally defined by Title VII. See 42","paragraph_id":"para_185"},{"text":"U.S.C. § 2000e(b); Bronson v. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s","paragraph_id":"para_186"},{"text":"Hospital of Chicago, 69 F.4th 437, 448 (7th Cir. 2023) (“Only an","paragraph_id":"para_187"},{"text":"employer can be liable under Title VII.”). But the question for","paragraph_id":"para_188"},{"text":"us is whether the department was Stokes’s employer. If not,","paragraph_id":"para_189"},{"text":"she cannot bring her claims. Love v. JP Cullen & Sons, Inc., 779","paragraph_id":"para_190"},{"text":"F.3d 697, 701 (7th Cir. 2015).","paragraph_id":"para_191"},{"text":"A plaintiff may have multiple Title VII “employers.” Id.","paragraph_id":"para_192"},{"text":"And whether the department is one of them—whether it","paragraph_id":"para_193"},{"text":"jointly employed her with Wexford—is a question of law.","paragraph_id":"para_194"},{"text":"Bronson, 69 F.4th at 449. We use a five-factor test to determine","paragraph_id":"para_195"},{"text":"whether a defendant employed a plaintiff for Title VII pur-","paragraph_id":"para_196"},{"text":"poses. The point of these factors is to discern whether a plain-","paragraph_id":"para_197"},{"text":"tiff was in fact a defendant’s employee or merely an inde-","paragraph_id":"para_198"},{"text":"pendent contractor. Id. The factors are:","paragraph_id":"para_199"},{"text":"(1) the extent of the purported employer’s con-","paragraph_id":"para_200"},{"text":"trol and supervision over the worker, including","paragraph_id":"para_201"},{"text":"directions on scheduling and performance of","paragraph_id":"para_202"},{"text":"work, (2) the kind of occupation and nature of","paragraph_id":"para_203"},{"text":"skill required, including whether skills are ob-","paragraph_id":"para_204"},{"text":"tained in the workplace, (3) the responsibility","paragraph_id":"para_205"},{"text":"for the costs of operation, such as equipment,","paragraph_id":"para_206"},{"text":"supplies, fees, licenses, workplace, and mainte-","paragraph_id":"para_207"},{"text":"nance of operations, (4) the method and form of","paragraph_id":"para_208"},{"text":"8 No. 25-1116","paragraph_id":"para_209"},{"text":"payment and benefits, and (5) the length of job","paragraph_id":"para_210"},{"text":"commitment and/or expectations.","paragraph_id":"para_211"},{"text":"Nischan v. Stratosphere Quality, LLC, 865 F.3d 922, 929 (7th Cir.","paragraph_id":"para_212"},{"text":"2017) (quoting Knight, 950 F.2d at 378–79) (cleaned up). The","paragraph_id":"para_213"},{"text":"first factor—control—is the most important. Johnson v. Advo-","paragraph_id":"para_214"},{"text":"cate Health & Hospital Corp., 892 F.3d 887, 905 (7th Cir. 2018).","paragraph_id":"para_215"},{"text":"Considering each factor in turn, minus the fifth factor be-","paragraph_id":"para_216"},{"text":"cause no party argues it, the undisputed facts show the de-","paragraph_id":"para_217"},{"text":"partment did not jointly employ Stokes.","paragraph_id":"para_218"},{"text":"Control. In considering how Stokes was controlled and","paragraph_id":"para_219"},{"text":"supervised, we focus on who set her schedule, directed how","paragraph_id":"para_220"},{"text":"she performed her work, and disciplined her. Nischan, 865","paragraph_id":"para_221"},{"text":"F.3d at 929; Bronson, 69 F.4th at 449. We also consider those","paragraph_id":"para_222"},{"text":"“key powers” of “hiring and firing.” Love, 779 F.3d at 703 (ci-","paragraph_id":"para_223"},{"text":"tation omitted).","paragraph_id":"para_224"},{"text":"Wexford, not the department, controlled Stokes and how","paragraph_id":"para_225"},{"text":"she performed her work. Wexford interviewed and hired her,","paragraph_id":"para_226"},{"text":"subject to the department’s approval. Wexford set her sched-","paragraph_id":"para_227"},{"text":"ule based on the department’s needs and told her whom to","paragraph_id":"para_228"},{"text":"treat. Stokes reported to a Wexford employee, who himself","paragraph_id":"para_229"},{"text":"reported to a Wexford employee, and only Wexford person-","paragraph_id":"para_230"},{"text":"nel disciplined her. Had Stokes wanted to transfer to another","paragraph_id":"para_231"},{"text":"site, she would have done so through Wexford. And Stokes","paragraph_id":"para_232"},{"text":"resigned by emailing a Wexford employee.","paragraph_id":"para_233"},{"text":"To be sure, the department completely controlled the","paragraph_id":"para_234"},{"text":"premises where Stokes worked. But this does not show it con-","paragraph_id":"para_235"},{"text":"trolled Stokes “with respect to her work as” a mental-health","paragraph_id":"para_236"},{"text":"professional, which is what matters here. Bronson, 69 F.4th at","paragraph_id":"para_237"},{"text":"449. Indeed, the record suggests the exact opposite: that Wex-","paragraph_id":"para_238"},{"text":"ford controlled her day-to-day.","paragraph_id":"para_239"},{"text":"No. 25-1116 9","paragraph_id":"para_240"},{"text":"Nor does our conclusion change because the department","paragraph_id":"para_241"},{"text":"controlled some of Wexford’s actions. The department could","paragraph_id":"para_242"},{"text":"veto a proposed hire and its needs drove the shifts Wexford","paragraph_id":"para_243"},{"text":"staffed with personnel. But this shows the department had","paragraph_id":"para_244"},{"text":"control over “the conduct of another contracting party”—","paragraph_id":"para_245"},{"text":"here, Wexford—not that it controlled Stokes. Hojnacki v. Klein-","paragraph_id":"para_246"},{"text":"Acosta, 285 F.3d 544, 551 (7th Cir. 2002) (cleaned up). These","paragraph_id":"para_247"},{"text":"terms reflect “nothing more than” the department’s agree-","paragraph_id":"para_248"},{"text":"ment with Wexford, not “the discretionary control an em-","paragraph_id":"para_249"},{"text":"ployer daily exercises over its employees’ conduct.” Id.","paragraph_id":"para_250"},{"text":"(cleaned up). Indeed, “it is very common for service providers","paragraph_id":"para_251"},{"text":"to adhere to their client’s wishes on personnel decisions.” Nis-","paragraph_id":"para_252"},{"text":"chan, 865 F.3d at 929. Just because a service provider does so","paragraph_id":"para_253"},{"text":"does not render such personnel a client’s employee. Id.","paragraph_id":"para_254"},{"text":"Stokes next argues the department exercised control over","paragraph_id":"para_255"},{"text":"her through its dress policy, which Wexford required that she","paragraph_id":"para_256"},{"text":"follow. But the department controlled what everyone wears—","paragraph_id":"para_257"},{"text":"employees, contractors, prisoners, and visitors—because","paragraph_id":"para_258"},{"text":"dress in a prison is a security matter. Such control “with re-","paragraph_id":"para_259"},{"text":"spect to prison security and safety” does not tell us much","paragraph_id":"para_260"},{"text":"about controlling employees specifically. See American Federa-","paragraph_id":"para_261"},{"text":"tion of State, County & Municipal Employers, Council 31 v. State","paragraph_id":"para_262"},{"text":"Labor Relations Board, 216 Ill. 2d 569, 588 (2005).","paragraph_id":"para_263"},{"text":"Stokes also insists the department could discipline (and so","paragraph_id":"para_264"},{"text":"control) her. But the record squarely contradicts this claim.","paragraph_id":"para_265"},{"text":"The department’s employees testified that they disciplined","paragraph_id":"para_266"},{"text":"department staff, not Wexford’s; and Wexford supervisors","paragraph_id":"para_267"},{"text":"testified that they disciplined Wexford staff, not the depart-","paragraph_id":"para_268"},{"text":"ment’s. Stokes says the department must have been able to","paragraph_id":"para_269"},{"text":"discipline her because it investigated the July incident. True,","paragraph_id":"para_270"},{"text":"the department investigated and concluded Stokes violated","paragraph_id":"para_271"},{"text":"10 No. 25-1116","paragraph_id":"para_272"},{"text":"its policies. But its report did not impose punishment; it","paragraph_id":"para_273"},{"text":"merely substantiated a claim against her. Indeed, Stokes tes-","paragraph_id":"para_274"},{"text":"tified she did not even know about the report until this litiga-","paragraph_id":"para_275"},{"text":"tion and was not punished for its findings.","paragraph_id":"para_276"},{"text":"In sum, this “most important” factor suggests Wexford,","paragraph_id":"para_277"},{"text":"not the department, employed Stokes. Johnson, 892 F.3d at 905.","paragraph_id":"para_278"},{"text":"Skills. Next, we consider whether the department pro-","paragraph_id":"para_279"},{"text":"vided Stokes the skills and training she needed to work as a","paragraph_id":"para_280"},{"text":"mental-health professional. Nischan, 895 F.3d at 929. It did not.","paragraph_id":"para_281"},{"text":"Stokes obtained her primary credentials—a master’s de-","paragraph_id":"para_282"},{"text":"gree and counseling license—before applying to Wexford or","paragraph_id":"para_283"},{"text":"working at Pontiac. And there is no evidence the department","paragraph_id":"para_284"},{"text":"gave her additional mental-healthcare training. Indeed, she","paragraph_id":"para_285"},{"text":"testified in her deposition that, although she recalled receiv-","paragraph_id":"para_286"},{"text":"ing general workplace and clinical training from Wexford, she","paragraph_id":"para_287"},{"text":"did not recall receiving any training from the department.","paragraph_id":"para_288"},{"text":"Even if the department trained her to work in a prison set-","paragraph_id":"para_289"},{"text":"ting, such training would not show the department “was in","paragraph_id":"para_290"},{"text":"any respect responsible for her training or certification” as a","paragraph_id":"para_291"},{"text":"mental-health professional. Bronson, 69 F.4th at 450. Providing","paragraph_id":"para_292"},{"text":"“training and credentials” that facilitate “access to” a prem-","paragraph_id":"para_293"},{"text":"ises and “compliance with” its protocols is not providing","paragraph_id":"para_294"},{"text":"training for one’s “substantiative work.” Id.","paragraph_id":"para_295"},{"text":"With no evidence that the department provided Stokes","paragraph_id":"para_296"},{"text":"skills or training required to work as a mental-health profes-","paragraph_id":"para_297"},{"text":"sional, this factor suggests it did not jointly employ her.","paragraph_id":"para_298"},{"text":"Supplies. We must also consider whether the department","paragraph_id":"para_299"},{"text":"bore “responsibility for the costs of operation, such as equip-","paragraph_id":"para_300"},{"text":"ment, supplies, fees, licenses, workplace, and maintenance of","paragraph_id":"para_301"},{"text":"operations.” Knight, 950 F.2d at 378–79 (citation omitted). This","paragraph_id":"para_302"},{"text":"No. 25-1116 11","paragraph_id":"para_303"},{"text":"includes whether it provided Stokes “with the tools and","paragraph_id":"para_304"},{"text":"equipment necessary to perform her job.” Nischan, 865 F.3d at","paragraph_id":"para_305"},{"text":"930. Though this factor is a closer call, we conclude it too sug-","paragraph_id":"para_306"},{"text":"gests the department did not employ Stokes.","paragraph_id":"para_307"},{"text":"The department maintained the premises where Stokes","paragraph_id":"para_308"},{"text":"worked, Pontiac, and provided her keys and a radio. But as","paragraph_id":"para_309"},{"text":"explained above, maintaining Pontiac is not enough to show","paragraph_id":"para_310"},{"text":"the department employed Stokes. See Bronson, 69 F.4th at 449–","paragraph_id":"para_311"},{"text":"50. And merely incurring ancillary costs in “hosting” Stokes—","paragraph_id":"para_312"},{"text":"like “supplying pagers, access badges, email accounts and the","paragraph_id":"para_313"},{"text":"like”—is not the same as footing “the primary costs of” em-","paragraph_id":"para_314"},{"text":"ploying her. Id. at 451. If anything, these facts confirm that","paragraph_id":"para_315"},{"text":"Stokes worked on-site as an independent contractor, not as an","paragraph_id":"para_316"},{"text":"employee. See Alexander v. Rush North Shore Medical Center,","paragraph_id":"para_317"},{"text":"101 F.3d 487, 493 (7th Cir. 1996) (anesthesiologist not an em-","paragraph_id":"para_318"},{"text":"ployee of a hospital even though he treated patients there and","paragraph_id":"para_319"},{"text":"“did not supply his own equipment or assistants”).","paragraph_id":"para_320"},{"text":"Given the department merely provided Stokes with sup-","paragraph_id":"para_321"},{"text":"plies one would expect for an independent contractor, this","paragraph_id":"para_322"},{"text":"factor suggests it did not employ her.","paragraph_id":"para_323"},{"text":"Pay. Last, we consider who paid Stokes. Nischan, 865 F.3d","paragraph_id":"para_324"},{"text":"at 929. That was Wexford. This too suggests the department","paragraph_id":"para_325"},{"text":"did not employ her. See Bridge v. New Holland Logansport, Inc.,","paragraph_id":"para_326"},{"text":"815 F.3d 356, 362 (7th Cir. 2016).","paragraph_id":"para_327"},{"text":"* * *","paragraph_id":"para_328"},{"text":"In sum, the four Knight factors at issue here point to one","paragraph_id":"para_329"},{"text":"conclusion: the department did not jointly employ Stokes. To","paragraph_id":"para_330"},{"text":"be sure, a different record might compel or permit a different","paragraph_id":"para_331"},{"text":"12 No. 25-1116","paragraph_id":"para_332"},{"text":"conclusion. But on these facts, we hold that the department is","paragraph_id":"para_333"},{"text":"not liable to Stokes under Title VII.","paragraph_id":"para_334"},{"text":"III. 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