Milwaukee Common Council

Council, Mayor At Odds Over City Attorney

Council wants to hire its own attorney. City Attorney oppose this and Barrett vetoes proposal.

Duke’s on Water, Scooter’s Pub Suspended

Two bars will be closed Nov. 26 through Dec. 15 due to issues in police report.

Expressing Disappointment in Rep. Ortiz-Velez for Carrying Water for Republican Speaker Robin Vos at the Expense of Our Constituents

Statement of Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa November 11, 2021

Johnson Seeks ‘True Partnership’ With State Government

Council president, who could soon become acting mayor, says city’s future depends on this.

Milwaukee Adopts ‘Calm Before The Storm’ 2022 Budget

No fee increases and small tax increase as city bolsters pension reserve fund in anticipation of fiscal cliff.

Common Council adopts amended 2022 City budget

A well-deserved place of honor for Vel R. Phillips

Statement of Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs November 3, 2021

Activists Oppose Johnson’s Push for More Police Near Schools

Common Council president concerned about reckless driving. LIT wants less policing of schools.

Milwaukee Tool Readying Downtown Office

Facade of 1978 building is being substantially altered.

Fond du Lac North Area Plan Earns City Plan Commission Approval

Council Adopts $179 Million Rescue Plan Package

Compromise plan includes money for pension reserve, housing, lead abatement and child care providers.

Podcast Production Company Opens Downtown Studio, Office

Podcamp Media leases space at top of Colby Abbot Building.

AART Claims Victory in Omnibus Bill Funding Housing, Not Police

Organization Renews its Fight for Participatory Budgeting

Barrett Ambassador Confirmation Stalled in Senate

But candidates are still lining up to replace him. Seven have filed candidacy already.

Chantia Lewis Case Moving Towards Trial

Probable cause found to continue with felony charges.

Common Council Has 7 Times The Ideas As It Has Funding

82 ideas for how to spend $394.2 million federal grant. What will council choose?

League of Women Voters Urges Milwaukee FPC Reforms, Community Safety Plan

October 5, 2021

Did a Janitors Union Create a Model for Rebuilding the Middle Class?

Union contract creates opportunity to expand union representation in Milwaukee County.

Chantia Lewis Goes To Court

In her first court appearance alderwoman pleads not guilty to misdemeanor. Four felony charges yet to come.

Conference In Brookfield Seeks Transit Solutions

Mayor says residents fear buses bring crime, but that it isn't true.

Council President Proposes New City Department of Transportation

Ald. Cavalier Johnson thinks the department could better address reckless driving.

Milwaukee Health Department excusing inaction with insufficient data, right-wing talking points

MTEA renews call for citywide indoor mask requirement, other increased protections

School Board Approves Vaccine Mandate for MPS Staff

Board also agrees to incentives for MPS students including $100 payment.

Attracting, retaining young professionals in Milwaukee will be topic of “On the Issues,” Sept. 10

Statement of Common Council President Cavalier Johnson

September 7, 2021

Ald. Chantia Lewis Charged With Defrauding City, Campaign of $21,000

City official and US Senate candidate faces four felony charges, up to 10 years in jail.

Statement on the nomination of Mayor Tom Barrett as Ambassador to Luxembourg

Common Council President Cavalier Johnson August 25, 2021

Congratulations Colectivo workers

Joint statement from members of the Milwaukee Common Council: Alderman Cavalier Johnson, Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderman Michael J. Murphy, Alderman José G. Pérez and Alderman Scott Spiker

Black Nite Remembrance Day illuminates the birthplace of local LGBTQ pride

August 5 events to celebrate historic 1961 uprising

Six Council Members Want Tougher Pandemic Rules

Push mayor for indoor mask mandate and mandatory vaccinations for city employees.

Ollie’s Bar Is For Sale

A historic, century-old corner bar on near South Side could be yours.

Chantia Lewis Enters U.S. Senate Race

Milwaukee alderwoman is ninth candidate in the race to replace Ron Johnson.

Alderwoman Chantia Lewis For U.S. Senate?

Website appears, and quickly disappears.

Mayor Barrett Focuses on Jobs and Workforce Readiness In Milwaukee Recovery and Resilience Plan

Mayor Barrett Prioritizes Investments in Housing in Plan for American Rescue Expenditures

Council Ends City Attorney’s Review Power

Unanimous vote strips Spencer's ability to halt contracts and overrides Barrett veto.

“Last Mile” Program Connects Workers to Jobs

WEDC, Waukesha County and United Way fund pilot program connecting city workers to suburban jobs.

Board Approves Lucille Berrien Park

Lucille Berrien was an open housing activist, the first Black woman to run for mayor and a foster mother to more than 120 children.

Motorcycle Deaths Up 31% in State

Officials worry about 'risky behavior” on roads which started during low-traffic pandemic.

Council Closes Gare-Bear’s On N. 27th St.

The tavern's liquor license renewal was denied after the owner determined to be indifferent to neighborhood concerns.

Enough is enough with MHD lead program mistakes

Joint statement from members of the Milwaukee Common Council: Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, Alderman Cavalier Johnson, Alderman José G. Pérez, and Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa

Derogatory comments aimed at Milwaukee miss the mark

Janitors Rally for New Union Contract

Demands include a $15 minimum wage and union contracts for all cleaners in Milwaukee.

Kegel’s Will Run Lakefront Beer Garden

Plus: New Mediterranean restaurant opening. And Pete's Pops comes to Public Market.

Republicans Slash Public Transit Funding for Milwaukee

50% cut for Milwaukee, Madison, but funding for I-94 expansion included in budget.

Millennials Report Addresses City’s Brain Drain

Report makes recommendations to stem the steady annual loss of young professionals.

Sunstone Studios Opening in East Town

New shared space for artists will prioritize diversity and equity in participants.

Alverno College Appoints New Members to its Board of Trustees

Council To Consider Closing VIP Lounge

Milwaukee Police Department backing bar's closure.

AFSCME Wisconsin Statement on Petition to Support Essential City of Milwaukee Employees

Downtown Office Building Sold to Milwaukee Tool

Company hopes to have 650 workers in downtown Milwaukee by end of 2021.

Congratulations Chief Lipski!

Joint Statement from members of the Milwaukee Common Council: Alderman Cavalier Johnson, Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderwoman Nikiya Dodd, Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, Alderman Michael J. Murphy, Alderman Mark A. Borkowski, Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderman Scott Spiker and Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic

Downer Avenue Gets New Breakfast Place

Plus: A new BBQ joint on MLK, Honeypie reopens at new location and more hamburgers, custard, brunches.

Brunch All Day Coming to Northwest Side

Co-owner of Mi Casa Su Cafe opening takeout-focused business on W. Villard Avenue.

City Committee Approves Its Part of BRT Project

Agreement will have the city getting paid to plow snow in exchange for giving up traffic lanes.

New Cocktail Bar Planned for Bay View

But with a retro feel. Old Skoolz will have 1980's and 1990's music and atmosphere.

Former Boston Store Is Being Transformed

See inside the HUB640 project in Downtown. Plus: Lobbying for a Target store.

Council Okays $20 Million Milwaukee Tool Deal

Approved unanimously. Company wants to move quickly on occupying Westown building.

Should Miller Valley Be Champagne Region?

Molson Coors asks Milwaukee to designate the "Champagne of Beers region."

Dontre Hamilton Memorial Proposed for Red Arrow Park

A Dontre Hamilton Memorial Bench would be installed in the downtown park.

Suit By Morales Demands His Job Back

His attorney Frank Gimbel has made no progress with city negotiating financial settlement.

County Facilities To Ban Single-Use Plastics

Phasing out out non-biodegradable products from county facilities and parks by next year.

Barrett Pushes Council To Accept Milwaukee Tool Deal

Council seeking labor agreement for contracted service workers.

County Board Adopts Proposal to Eliminate Single-Use ‘Forever Plastics’

Milwaukee Leaders Warn of Dire Consequences Without Additional State Aid

Local government in Milwaukee will soon run out of local revenue for things like parks and public transportation.

Parks Committee Advances Proposal to Eliminate Single-Use ‘Forever Plastics’

Celebrate Black Restaurant Week by visiting local eateries

Joint Statement from members of the Milwaukee Common Council: Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II, Alderwoman Nikiya Dodd and Alderman Cavalier Johnson 

Cafe Corazon Opens New Location

Plus: a new BBQ joint, Nite Owl burgers returns and Colectivo's Prospect Ave. cafe and concert venue plans to reopen.

Milwaukee Could Suspend Street Lighting Fee

But property owners will need to pay at least once.

Council Makes Street Name Changes Easier

New rule requires four-fifths of council to approve. Cesar Chavez Dr. extension next?

Study Could Lead to Racial Preferences in Contracts

Council has sought change for more than a decade. Study will be released soon.

New Barbeque Place Opening

Bro's Backyard BBQ opening on North Side in former seafood restaurant.

City and County Leaders Call for ‘Purple Alert’ to Protect Domestic Violence Victims in Wisconsin

New Police Grant Approved With Little Scrutiny

Latest grant got two minutes of discussion, not months of meetings.

City Rejects Hawley Rd. Flood Settlement

Residents left soaked with costs after settlement agreement falls apart. Their attorney thinks it might cost even more to sue.

Council Wants Ann Wilson Off Fire & Police Commission

9-6 vote against her reappointment. But they lack the authority to remove her.

Council passes legislation creating the MPD Diversion Task Force

Statement of Alderwoman Chantia Lewis March 23, 2021

Proposal Ends Fines for Pot Possession

No fines for possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for a first-time offense.

Milwaukee Area Labor Council Statement About The Couture

Cocktails To Go Bill Passes Assembly

State Senate has yet to vote on the legislation. City has concerns.

Troubled Tavern Could Become Veteran’s Housing

Southside-focused real estate firm buying S. 6th St. building.

Leadership Shakeup at Health Department

Two top officials pushed out by new city Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson.

Stimulus Bill Provides Major Funding to Local Governments

Bill will funnel millions into local services, housing assistance, health care, childcare tax credits and unemployment.

Collaborative, community focused approach needed for stimulus fund allocation

Joint statement from members of the Milwaukee Common Council: Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, Alderman Cavalier Johnson, Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderwoman Nikiya Dodd, Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, Alderman Michael J. Murphy, Alderman Mark Borkowski, Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderman Scott Spiker, Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II

Yardies Will Serve Jamaican Fare

New north side bar and restaurant has inventive menu planned.

Milwaukee Common Council Members Endorse Alex Lasry

In recognition of International Women’s Day

Joint Statement from members of the Milwaukee Common Council: Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Nikiya Dodd, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis and Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic

Eight Blocks of Food, History and Art

Both sides of the river between Kilbourn and Highland are filled with attractions.

Magoo’s On The Mound Opening

Replacing the venerable Steve's on Bluemound, the new bar will bring the inside out and the outside in.

City Hires Private Firm To Track COVID-19 Violations

Company responds on nights, weekends to complaints of businesses violating city orders.

Common Council honors Dr. Joan Prince for decades of service to Milwaukee

Joint statement from members of the Milwaukee Common Council: Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, Alderman Cavalier Johnson, Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderwoman Nikiya Dodd, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, Alderman Michael J. Murphy, Alderman Mark Borkowski, Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderman Scott Spiker, Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II

Nacho City Planned For 38th and North

Restaurant would sell nachos and tacos in the city's Washington Park neighborhood.

Group Fundraising for Vel Phillips Statue

Statue would be erected at state Capitol, the first person of color so honored.

It’s Official, Old World Third Will Be MLK Drive

Barrett and council members reflect on racial division and what the renaming symbolizes.

FPC Members, City Attorney Blew Off Inspector General Interview Requests

Fallout and confusion from the Morales fiasco gets worse.

Presenting Pat’s Paradise Lounge

New event hall and cocktail lounge on Center Street to feature comedy acts, poetry readings and dancing.

38 Citations Issued for COVID-19 Violations

VIP Lounge received $11,000 of $28,000 in fines issued by the city.

Sales Tax Proposal Would Increase Revenue Diversification, Support Local Communities

Joint statement from members of the Milwaukee Common Council: Alderman Cavalier Johnson, Alderman Jose G. Perez, Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderman Michael J. Murphy, Alderwoman Nikiya Dodd, Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II and Alderman Nik Kovac

Attorney Didn’t Want Inspector General Report Made Public

Publication threatens the city's defense in Morales case argues Spencer.