Milwaukee Common Council

City Closes ELMNT Lounge

After 7 years in business Common Council revoke its license, but club plans court challenge.

Council Passes Tougher Reckless Driving Towing Policy

New state law clears way for long-sought policy change.

Committee Amends 2026 City Budget, Prioritizes Neighborhood Investment Citywide

Council Spends More Than Nine Hours Debating Budget Amendments

Testy meeting lines up more library hours, raises, fire truck funding.

Finance & Personnel Committee Approves Amendment to Strengthen Fire Department Fleet and Study Innovative Response Models

The two-year fight to strengthen the fight against reckless driving is almost across the finish line as Governor Evers signs bill

Statement of Alderman Lamont Westmoreland October 31, 2025

A Call to Action: Safeguarding Our Children’s Futures from Hunger’s Devastating Grasp

Statement from all members of the Milwaukee Common Council: Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, 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 Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II October 29, 2025

FEMA denial on flood damage assistance for public infrastructure is a gut punch

Statement from members of the Milwaukee Common Council: Alderperson JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Andrea M. Pratt, Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr., Alderman Alex Brower, Alderman Lamont Westmoreland, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderwoman Sharlen P. Moore, Alderman Peter Burgelis, Alderman Scott Spiker, and Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic

New Restaurant Will Replace ‘The Original’ On East Side

'Casualizing the place' is how owners describe the change.

New Tenant For Third Street Tavern Space

Sports bar with relaxed atmosphere and comfort food menu could join Deer District.

Committee Recommends Closing ELMNT Lounge

Milwaukee Common Council will take a final vote next month.

Wisconsin’s Gun Stores Have Violated Federal Law

Lost or stolen firearms at gun stores threaten people's lives.

Finance & Personnel Committee Hears Public Input on 2026 City Budget Priorities

Tony Award Winner Bernadette Peters Inaugurates Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s New $80M+ Associated Bank Theater Center

Modernized and Expanded Home for Milwaukee Rep Features Three State-of-the-Art Performance Spaces Including a Transformable Theater for Broadway-Scale Productions, a Dedicated Education and Engagement Center, and Increased Accessibility

Council Adopts Legislation Creating Milwaukee’s first Innovation Distric

New Officers to Bolster Police Presence in Milwaukee’s Southside Neighborhoods

Council Takes Major Step To Delay Mayor’s Wheel Tax Increase

Finance committee members charge mayor created budget hole he is asking council to solve.

New Soul Food Spot For Villard Avenue

Tasty Flavors would replace longtime barbecue spot in Old North Milwaukee.

New Rainbow Crosswalks Mark Milwaukee’s LGBTQ+ History

Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project leads installation.

Restaurant and Bakery Proposed For Historic Mitchell Street

Bakery set to replace Leo's Wok in high-turnover space.

‘Innovation Center’ Opens On Site of Former Kenosha Auto Plant

Kenosha Innovation Center is a 64,000-square-feet facility.

Brewers take on the Cubs in what is so much more than ‘The I-94 Series’

Statement from members of the Milwaukee Common Council: Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderwoman Andrea M. Pratt, Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr., Alderman Alex Brower, Alderman Lamont Westmoreland, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman DiAndre Jackson, Alderperson JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Larresa Taylor, Alderwoman Sharlen P. Moore, Alderman Peter Burgelis, Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderman Scott Spiker, and Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic October 3, 2025

Barbecue Restaurant Eyes East Side

Third location for growing business would displace existing bar.

Puerto Rican Restaurant Planned For Lincoln Village

New business would bring pernil, pizza and a pool table to high-turnover southside space.

Southside Residents Attempt License Revocation For Southside Bar

Contentious hearing ends with lengthy suspension.

Zizzo Group Engagement Marketing Celebrates 30 Years of Impact with Mayoral Proclamation

Stolen Gun Leads City to Suspend Harambee Convenience Store

Safety concerns lead to unanimous council vote against Third Street Quick Mart.

City Issues 10-Day Suspension to Amani Gas Station

After two shootings, the Gas Depot will remain closed through Oct. 2.

Common Council Unanimously Approves $750,000 for Flood Relief and Home Repair Assistance

Alderman Burgelis Responds to Senator Wanggaard’s Misguided and Misleading Attacks on Milwaukee

Pocket Park Will Be Renamed For Longtime Leader of Black-Owned Bank

Marketplace Triangle to get a new name.

Discovery World workers have our support

September 19, 2025 - Statement from Milwaukee Common Council Members: Alderman Alex Brower, Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, and Alderman Robert J. Bauman

Speakeasy-Style Jazz Lounge Proposed For Water Street

The Back Door would fill a lower-level space beneath Jimmy Johns.

New Tenant Proposed For Company Brewing Space

New bar and restaurant aims to "fill a void" left by former brewpub.

Proposal Would Make Attending Street Takeovers Illegal

New citation aims to address growing problem.

Committee Votes to Close Tavern After Brawl Involving Hundreds

Unanimous vote against renewing King Drive tavern license after 'huge blunder.'

Wisconsin’s Most Important Bridge Is Rarely Discussed

High Rise Bridge carries by far the most traffic, will need major upgrade by 2037. Can it be improved?

Catrina Cafe Will Expand In Bay View

Bar and restaurant opened its flagship last year in Walker's Point.

‘Somebody’s Going to End Up Dead!’ Mayor Decries Street Takeovers

Mayor Johnson, DA Lovern warn of penalties for both organizers and spectators.

Milwaukee Alderperson Running For Secretary of State

Zamarripa is second to declare for open seat.

New Tenant For Shuttered Riverwest Dollar General

Grocery store and restaurant proposed for boarded-up building.

‘Top Tier’ Restaurant Proposed For Capitol Drive

New eatery would serve soul food in former Jamaican restaurant space.

Mayor Criticized for Process of Choosing Wellness and Safety Leader

After three finalists came before public forum, Johnson chose someone else.

New Bar and Lounge Proposed For Villard Avenue

Taste Lounge Social aims to bring "something different" to the area, with wagyu, craft cocktails, jazz and more.

Caribbean Restaurant Proposed For Center Street

Jerkin' Me Crazy would showcase island cuisine with a soul food twist.

Downtown Dog Park Opens

23,000-square-foot park is first of its kind, part of larger riverwalk redevelopment.

Why the Pathfinders Union Struggle Matters

Workers at many nonprofits are under-paid and overworked, with high turnover.

Burger and Sandwich Spot For Villard Avenue

Long-vacant building set to become second location for Pak Daman.

FEMA Will Start Surveying Storm Damage in Milwaukee Thursday

More than 18,000 damage reports filed so far, 83% in Milwaukee County.

Brunch Restaurant Proposed For Bay View

Axolotl Cafe would bring chilaquiles and cocktails to former Blackwood Brothers.

Council Members Pitch Trump to Declare FEMA Emergency

Dimitrijevic and Chambers lead letter urging FEMA help after 1000-year rainstorm.

New Bar Taking Over Key Deer District Spot

High-profile operator slated to replace Bucks-affiliated sports bar.

City Tries To Help Residents Recover From Devastating Rain, Flooding

Fee-free drop off centers, special pickups and suspended parking rules.

Community bands together to start recovery from historic flooding

Joint Statement from all members of the Milwaukee Common Council: Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderwoman Andrea M. Pratt, Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr., Alderman Alex Brower, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderman Lamont Westmoreland, Alderman DiAndre Jackson, Alderperson JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Larresa Taylor, Alderwoman Sharlen P. Moore, Alderman Peter Burgelis, Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderman Scott Spiker, Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II August 11, 2025

Alders Burgelis and Zamarripa Urge Residents to Call 9-1-1 if Gunfire is Heard

Early morning shots fired incident went unreported by residents

Joint statement in support of Pathfinders Milwaukee workers

From Milwaukee Common Council members: Alderman Alex Brower, Alderperson JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr., Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderman Lamont Westmoreland, Alderwoman Sharlen P. Moore, and Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic

Despite Alderwoman’s Opposition, Northwest Side Affordable Housing Project Approved

After years of delay, Cudahy Farms deal passed by council.

Alders Support Sprinkler Subsidies

Retrofitting old buildings is costly, but 'you can't put a price on' saving lives.

New Proposal Would Save Long-Vacant Villa Theater

Thomas Matthews has big plans for 99-year-old movie theater.

Oaxacan Restaurant Expanding to Clarke Square

Guelaguetza Restaurante Y Barra would replace troubled southside nightclub.

Seafood Restaurant Planned For North Avenue

Upcoming business is final piece of larger development.

After Lengthy Debate, Council Legalizes Carriage Homes

Did Milwaukee just eliminate single-family zoning?

Illegal Fireworks Linked to Rising Number of Milwaukee Fires

Seven fireworks-related fires on July 4th, mostly on north side of city.

Milwaukee Common Council Marks Milestone in Youth Protection with Unanimous Passage of Hemp-derived THC Sale Age Restrictions

Milwaukee Could Implement Age Restriction For Hemp-Derived THC

Delta-8 and similar products do not currently have age restrictions.

Supervisors Rip EV Chargers in Parks

Supervisors echo criticism from Common Council members.

Milwaukee a Leader in Gun Thefts

Gun thefts have risen by 42% in 16 large cities, with Milwaukee fourth highest.

Community Cheers Modrzejewski Playfield Reopening

Parents, children and local officials celebrate newly updated southside park.

Neighbor Restarts Debate About Controversial Bay View Historic District

New district comes as new home being built on S. Superior St.

Public EV Charging Plan Faces Trump Opposition, Council Concerns

'I'd cut this program if I was the federal government,' said one alderman.

Proposed Food Truck Park Wins Key Approval

After a year in limbo, Pali Park is progressing. It's a big change for Water Street.

City-Owned Building Could Become Dessert Shop

Proposal would transform former barber shop into a neighborhood bakery.

Wisconsin Tribes Adding Surveillance Technology

Lac du Flambeau's one-mile central village area has more than 160 cameras.

Facial Recognition Resolution Passes

Unanimous vote asks Sheriff's office to adopt guidelines to protect civil liberties.

New Bar and Restaurant Proposed For Harambee Neighborhood

Soul of a Starr aims to open in the coming months with a focus on community.

Council Reopens Flag Debate. Again

Alders insist council can 'walk and chew gum' in taking on the flag issue.

Milwaukee Teacher’s Aide Yessenia Ruano Self-Deports to El Salvador

ICE reportedly denied her request to remain in US while visa application pending.

City Subsidy Would Boost Conversion of Former MPS School To Apartments

Developers hope to create 48 units of housing on three-acre property.

Supervisors Concerned About Facial Recognition Technology

Six supervisors support county policy with strict limits on use of technology.

Bucks Violating Promises on Unions?

Adding non-union businesses to Deer District after making promises to get state subsidy.