Judge To Hear Alton Ordinance Fight Wednesday Morning, Aug. 12, 2026

ALTON - A legal dispute between Mayor David Goins and the Alton City Council over challenged ordinances and appointed positions is scheduled to be heard at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, in Madison County Court, with Judge Sarah Smith presiding.

The temporary restraining order filed by Goins prohibits implementation of the challenged ordinances at issue in the litigation and bars any further action against them.

It also requires that those removed from their appointed positions be reinstated pending further hearings and additional orders of the court.

Alton City Attorney Rodney Caffey and Director of Planning and Development Greg Caffey were not retained following a vote of the City Council at its last meeting.

Corporation Counsel Heidi Eckert, whose role under normal circumstances is to represent both the mayor and the council, will not be involved in this case.

Goins will be represented by Jeff Ezra, while Patrick Watts will represent the City Council.

We will have a reporter in the courtroom and bring you the latest.