Hearing In Goins vs. City Of Alton Postponed Amid Judge Reassignment
Motion for new judge delays court battle between city and mayor with no hearing date currently set.
ALTON – A legal fight between the City of Alton and its mayor is now on hold.
A hearing in the case of Mayor David Goins vs. City of Alton originally scheduled for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026 before Judge Sarah Smith has been postponed indefinitely. A representative of the mayor's office confirmed the hearing has been postponed and that a new date has not yet been set.
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Madison County court records show the case has been reassigned to a new judge following a motion from Patrick Watts, the attorney representing the city in this case. Watts filed a motion for substitution of judge on Aug. 10, 2026 which was granted the same day, and the case has been reassigned to Judge Dennis Ruth.
The legal dispute stems from an amended ordinance approved by the City Council in the mayor’s absence which nullified each of the mayor’s appointees and subjected them to City Council approval before their terms expired.
Two city officials were ousted from their positions under the challenged ordinance before being reinstated under a temporary restraining order which also prohibits the City Council from enacting or enforcing the ordinance in question until its legal validity is determined in court.
Stay tuned to Riverbender.com for the latest coverage as the situation develops.
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