Lead-Free Homes a Priority for Kowalik
But “we don’t have enough contractors,” city’s new health commissioner says.

Milwaukee Health Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik speaks at the Milwaukee Press Club Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019 in downtown Milwaukee. Photo by Corri Hess/WPR.
Milwaukee’s new health commissioner says the troubled health department is moving forward but it’s going to take some time for families to notice a difference in the operations of the agency.
Milwaukee Health Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik said the department’s first priority is to make sure homes are safe from lead. Kowalik was appointed by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and unanimously confirmed by the common council in September.
She replaced Bevan Baker, who resigned in January 2018 following reports the department failed to follow up with families of lead-poisoned children.
“We are trying to fix a program that is super complex and it’s going to take time, I think, for families to say ‘Yeah, I see the difference,'” Kowalik said. “Because we’re dealing with public and private obligation as well as safeguarding those who don’t have the resources to be nimble or thrive without any other support.”
Kowalik spoke to media and community members Wednesday at the Milwaukee Press Club.
In February, the city’s federally funded lead abatement program was put on hold after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development raised concerns about how Milwaukee was managing it.
Kowalik said she learned in December the hold was going to be lifted. But, the partial government shutdown means it remains on hold.
HUD’s nearly $4 million grant to Milwaukee was first issued in 2016. The program helps replace windows with paint chips and other lead hazards in homes.
“We don’t have enough contractors,” Kowalik said. “In the market we are in, contractors have other options and other sources of income. We need people to do the work.”
This week the Milwaukee Common Council directed Kowalik to establish a defined process to address cases of elevated lead levels in children if it’s detected by a blood test.
“We know that installing and correctly using certified water filters is the best way to minimize lead in our drinking water,” Alderwoman Milele Coggs said in a written statement. “This legislation directs our health and water officials to develop a plan to use this effective tool the best way we can.”
Kowalik is required to report back to the council at the end of March.
Listen to the WPR report here.
Lead-Free Homes Is Top Priority For New Milwaukee Health Commissioner was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.
More about the Lead Crisis
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- Amidst Lead Crisis, State Reprimands MPS Facilities Director - Evan Casey - Apr 3rd, 2025
- Three MPS Schools Remain Closed Because of Lead Contamination - Evan Casey - Mar 29th, 2025
- MPS Submits Draft Lead Action Plan to Milwaukee Health Department - Milwaukee Public Schools - Mar 21st, 2025
- City Hall: Milwaukee Sees 250% Surge in Lead Lateral Replacements, But It Needs More - Jeramey Jannene - Mar 20th, 2025
- City of Milwaukee Health Department and MPS Provide Updates on Lead Safety Efforts - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Mar 19th, 2025
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- Trowbridge Street School Won’t Reopen Monday, to Allow More Time for Deep Cleaning of Lead Dust - Milwaukee Public Schools - Mar 7th, 2025
- Health Department Will Investigate 10 More Schools For Lead Issues - Jeramey Jannene - Mar 7th, 2025
Read more about Lead Crisis here
Political Contributions Tracker
Displaying political contributions between people mentioned in this story. Learn more.
- March 30, 2016 - Tom Barrett received $100 from Bevan K. Baker
- August 29, 2015 - Tom Barrett received $25 from Bevan K. Baker