Council set to act on Health Department crisis
Joint statement from the Milwaukee Common Council
Today members of the Common Council learned that officers of the Milwaukee Health Department failed to ensure adequate notification of thousands of families whose children tested positive for elevated lead levels in their blood. This is an egregious public health failure that was in direct noncompliance with procedures put forth by Common Council resolution.
We will move forward to hold the executive branch accountable for this very serious failure and we will investigate in depth to determine what processes, procedures, or other matters, if any, have been ignored, not complied with, or have been mishandled by the Health Department. The protection of our children must remain our highest priority. Our review of this matter will be handled with a seriousness appropriate to a failure of this magnitude.
This marks a new day in the Common Council’s dealings with this administration with regard to policy, in general, and with appointments, in particular. We will exercise a new level of scrutiny and we will demand a new level of accountability.
Our fact-finding and review efforts into these matters will begin during a special Steering and Rules Committee meeting open to all Council members at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 17, 2018.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Lead Crisis
- Gov. Evers Signs New PFAS, Lead Regulations - Danielle Kaeding - Mar 2nd, 2026
- City Receives $400,000 Grant For Lead Screening - Sophie Bolich - Feb 24th, 2026
- Rep. Madison Proposes Restoring Local Control Over Lead Inspections - State Rep. Darrin Madison - Jan 6th, 2026
- $43 Million Later, MPS Says Classrooms Are Safe From Lead Dust - Corrinne Hess - Dec 18th, 2025
- MPS Buildings Cleared of Lead-Paint Risks after 10-Plus Months of Work - Milwaukee Public Schools - Dec 17th, 2025
- Wisconsin Moves to Require Lead Service Lines Replaced By 2037 - Danielle Kaeding - Dec 11th, 2025
- Gov. Evers, DNR Announce More Than $159 Million to Ensure Clean, Safe Drinking Water for Wisconsinites in 29 Municipalities - Gov. Tony Evers - Dec 10th, 2025
- EPA Announces $3 Billion in New Funding for States to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Nov 25th, 2025
- Wisconsin Communities Get $282 Million for Drinking Water Projects - Danielle Kaeding - Nov 19th, 2025
- MKE County: County Launches Lead Abatement Program - Graham Kilmer - Nov 9th, 2025
Read more about Lead Crisis here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Milwaukee Common Council
Statement on the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson
Feb 18th, 2026 by Milwaukee Common CouncilFrom all members of the Milwaukee Common Council: Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II, Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderwoman Andrea M. Pratt, Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr., Alderman Alex Brower, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderman Lamont Westmoreland, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman DiAndre Jackson, Alderperson JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Larresa Taylor, Alderwoman Sharlen P. Moore, Alderman Peter Burgelis, Alderman Scott Spiker, and Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic February 18, 2026
27th Street Viaduct To Close for Lengthy Stretch Starting Monday, February 2
Jan 29th, 2026 by Milwaukee Common CouncilJoint statement of Alderperson JoCasta Zamarripa and Alderwoman Sharlen P. Moore
“Know Your Rights and Resources” Webpage launched
Jan 22nd, 2026 by Milwaukee Common CouncilJoint statement from all members of the Milwaukee Common Council: Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderperson JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Andrea M. Pratt, Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr., Alderman Alex Brower, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderman Lamont Westmoreland, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman DiAndre Jackson, Alderwoman Larresa Taylor, Alderwoman Sharlen P. Moore, Alderman Peter Burgelis, Alderman Scott Spiker, Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II January 22, 2026
