Mayor Cavalier Johnson (right) and Police Chief Jeffrey Norman address the city's record homicide total. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

Cavalier “Chevy” Johnson, was elected mayor of Milwaukee on April 5, 2022.

Elected to Milwaukee Common Council in 2016. Became council president in 2020 after re-election.

On Dec. 22 Johnson became acting mayor of Milwaukee following the resignation of Tom Barrett. Johnson was elected to the remainder of Tom Barrett’s term (through 2024) on April 5, 2022.

Content referencing Cavalier Johnson - Page 14

City Hall: Council Overrides Every Barrett Veto
City Hall

Council Overrides Every Barrett Veto

Without debate Common Council overrides mayor, keeps 59 amendments to budget

Eyes on Milwaukee: 117-Year-Old School Getting Transformed
Eyes on Milwaukee

117-Year-Old School Getting Transformed

Developer will turn MPS school he once attended into 40-unit apartment complex.

City’s Millennial “Brain Drain” Raises Concerns

City’s Millennial “Brain Drain” Raises Concerns

State reports shows Milwaukee has problem. Alderman proposes task force to find solutions.

City Hall: Proposal Aims To Eliminate Plastic Straws
City Hall

Proposal Aims To Eliminate Plastic Straws

Would prevent restaurants from providing straws, unless customers request them.

City Hall: Aldermen Push Gender Neutral Bathrooms
City Hall

Aldermen Push Gender Neutral Bathrooms

Council members working with Equal Rights Commission to advance inclusive policy.

City Hall: Snow Delays Leaf Collection Until 25th
City Hall

Snow Delays Leaf Collection Until 25th

Snow storms extend cutoff. You now have 11 more days to sweep leaves into the street.

City Hall: Council Cuts Police, Adopts $1.6 Billion Budget
City Hall

Council Cuts Police, Adopts $1.6 Billion Budget

Council wrestles with huge fiscal challenges due to rising police costs, declining state aid.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Council Okays St. Augustine’s $30 Million Plan
Eyes on Milwaukee

Council Okays St. Augustine’s $30 Million Plan

One of city's fastest-growing schools plans substantial expansion.

Remembering Mildred Harpole

Remembering Mildred Harpole

Beloved activist for education equity, equal rights, dies in her 80s.

Murphy’s Law: Who Will Run for County Executive?
Murphy’s Law

Who Will Run for County Executive?

The list is long and could get longer. Handicapping the favorites. 

Eyes on Milwaukee: RACM Approves Land Use for Meat Processing Plant
Eyes on Milwaukee

RACM Approves Land Use for Meat Processing Plant

While council stalled financing package, RACM okays land use change affecting Strauss Brands.

City Hall: City Voters Will Get Gerrymandering Referendum
City Hall

City Voters Will Get Gerrymandering Referendum

Common Council adds question on nonpartisan legislative districts to the April ballot.

City Hall: Anonymous Crime Reporting Service Launches
City Hall

Anonymous Crime Reporting Service Launches

"Crime doesn't pay, but Crime Stoppers does," says Alderwoman Chantia Lewis.

City Hall: Council Debates Indigenous Peoples’ Day
City Hall

Council Debates Indigenous Peoples’ Day

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be forced to defend the Catholic Church," Donovan thundered.

City Hall: Is The City Ready to Plow Snow?
City Hall

Is The City Ready to Plow Snow?

City has 28,405 tons of salt and 414 pieces of equipment ready to clear 1,472 miles of city streets.

City Hall: Should Milwaukee Ban Plastic Straws?
City Hall

Should Milwaukee Ban Plastic Straws?

Some alderman seem in favor. It's one of the few single-use plastics the city could ban.

Alderman Urges Gun Control After Attack

Alderman Urges Gun Control After Attack

Ald. Cavalier Johnson’s car struck by reckless gun fire, cites emotional trauma for his child.

City Hall: Spiker Wins Seat on Common Council
City Hall

Spiker Wins Seat on Common Council

Legislative aide Scott Spiker will replace his former boss Terry Witkowski.

City Hall: Aldrete Will Lead Police-Fire Commission
City Hall

Aldrete Will Lead Police-Fire Commission

Attorney, third FPC leader in three years, brings diverse background to challenging job.

City Hall: Take It EZ, Donovan Urges
City Hall

Take It EZ, Donovan Urges

New public-private initiative targets reckless driving in the city.

Alderman Seeks Fireworks Restrictions

Alderman Seeks Fireworks Restrictions

Citing rampant fireworks use, Johnson pushes state law to prevent sales across county lines.

City Hall: Aldermen Blast City’s Call Center
City Hall

Aldermen Blast City’s Call Center

Should you call 286-City to report a pothole? Don't bother, some aldermen say.

City Hall: Five Takeaways from Yesterday’s Election
City Hall

Five Takeaways from Yesterday’s Election

The race for Terry Witkowski's seat had surprises -- and key lessons.

Transportation: Free Streetcar Rides Planned for 2020
Transportation

Free Streetcar Rides Planned for 2020

City hopes to maintain free rides to keep up ridership but this could leave funding gap.

Transportation: City Confident Couture Won’t Block Streetcar
Transportation

City Confident Couture Won’t Block Streetcar

Federal grant at risk if lakefront extension to The Couture isn't running by end of 2020.

City Hall: Council Rejects Barrett’s FPC Appointee
City Hall

Council Rejects Barrett’s FPC Appointee

Fire and Police Commission appointee gives "petulant" presentation, rejected by council.

City Hall: Oh, Those Dreaded Plastic Bags
City Hall

Oh, Those Dreaded Plastic Bags

Council debates what to do with bags that clog up recycling process.

Eyes on Milwaukee: A Town Square for Downtown Milwaukee
Eyes on Milwaukee

A Town Square for Downtown Milwaukee

City proposes Vel R. Phillips Plaza along W. Wisconsin Ave. with cafe and streetcar stop.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Council Says Marcus Center Not Historic
Eyes on Milwaukee

Council Says Marcus Center Not Historic

Votes down designation and compromise to save Kiley grove with a friends group.

Transportation: 11 Key Facts About Streetcar Extensions
Transportation

11 Key Facts About Streetcar Extensions

Love the idea? Hate it? Either way we have all the details.

City Hall: The Cold War With We Energies
City Hall

The Cold War With We Energies

Bauman, other aldermen believe city is charging too little for utility's use of city land.

City Hall: Meet the City’s Pothole Patrol
City Hall

Meet the City’s Pothole Patrol

Turns out those frequently maligned parking checkers do more than issue tickets.

Will Mayor’s Veto of Food Truck Ban Stand?

Will Mayor’s Veto of Food Truck Ban Stand?

Council could override but two aldermen have switched to Barrett’s side.

City Hall: City Approves DNC Contract
City Hall

City Approves DNC Contract

City expects $50 million from federal government to pay for security.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Any City Progress on Affordable Housing?
Eyes on Milwaukee

Any City Progress on Affordable Housing?

Has Barrett's 10,000 homes initiative had an impact? Council members give mixed grades

Now Serving: New Cafe Opening in Silver City
Now Serving

New Cafe Opening in Silver City

Plus: Kitt's to reopen, Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea comes to Yankee Hill, but no more food trucks for W. National Ave.

City Hall: An Extra Four Days to Pay Parking Tickets
City Hall

An Extra Four Days to Pay Parking Tickets

City extending grace period on parking ticket payments.

City Hall: Littering Will Now Cost $500
City Hall

Littering Will Now Cost $500

Council raises minimum fine from $25 to $500. "Our streets are dirty," says Ald. Stamper.

Now Serving: New Burger Emporium Opens Downtown
Now Serving

New Burger Emporium Opens Downtown

Plus: another Third Ward Camp Bar. Phobruary returns. Kitt's Custard closing?

City Hall: Karen Dettmer Will Lead Water Works
City Hall

Karen Dettmer Will Lead Water Works

Committee puts veteran engineer through the ringer before endorsing her appointment.

Milwaukee YMCA Changes Its Focus

Milwaukee YMCA Changes Its Focus

160-year old organization wants to serve 60,000 people, with emphasis on children.

City Hall: Council Slaps Down Mayor’s Vetoes
City Hall

Council Slaps Down Mayor’s Vetoes

Legislative body rejects all five vetoes by Mayor Tom Barrett.

City Hall: 10 Curious Details in City’s 2019 Budget
City Hall

10 Curious Details in City’s 2019 Budget

A city store? No more alley repairs? Cutting tree trimming? The $1.5 billion budget has it all.

City Hall: Council Adopts 2019 City Budget
City Hall

Council Adopts 2019 City Budget

Average homeowner will see $51.88 increase, no change in total fire and police officers.

City Hall: Nikiya Dodd Handily Wins Council Seat
City Hall

Nikiya Dodd Handily Wins Council Seat

Political veteran could have a big impact on upcoming city budget debate.

City Hall: Pay Hike for City Politicians Is On Hold
City Hall

Pay Hike for City Politicians Is On Hold

Ald. Chantia Lewis delays vote on 13.6% raise she and some other colleagues want. Mayor threatens veto.

Eyes on Milwaukee: 11 Things to Know Before You Ride The Hop
Eyes on Milwaukee

11 Things to Know Before You Ride The Hop

How many people will ride it? How is it free? Oh so many questions, all answered here.

City Hall: Barrett Signs Complete Streets Policy
City Hall

Barrett Signs Complete Streets Policy

Mayor, city officials and activists gather to celebrate new legislation.

City Hall: Council Passes Complete Streets Policy
City Hall

Council Passes Complete Streets Policy

Streets for all, not just cars, is now the law of the land.

City Hall: Barrett Vetoes Inspector General
City Hall

Barrett Vetoes Inspector General

Council, Mayor at odds over how independent new position should be.

Op Ed: Tommy Could Help Create Prison Reform
Op Ed

Tommy Could Help Create Prison Reform

Thompson, former Republican governor, regrets increase in incarceration, could team with Democratic reformers.

City Hall: All Hail The “People’s Flag”
City Hall

All Hail The “People’s Flag”

Huge version of flag installed a block from City Hall just before vote on whether to adopt it.

City Hall: Should Milwaukee Elect Police Chief?
City Hall

Should Milwaukee Elect Police Chief?

Alderman Rainey's proposal gets discussion, but not much support.

City Hall: Domino’s Will Pay to Pave Potholes
City Hall

Domino’s Will Pay to Pave Potholes

But pizza chain offering Milwaukee only $5,000 in what some see as a publicity stunt.

City Hall: Will People’s Flag Become Official Milwaukee Flag?
City Hall

Will People’s Flag Become Official Milwaukee Flag?

Trio of council members introduce resolution to change city flag.

City Hall: 4th St. Will Become Vel. R. Phillips Ave.
City Hall

4th St. Will Become Vel. R. Phillips Ave.

Major downtown street to be renamed for Milwaukee leader and civil rights pioneer.

City Hall: Milwaukee Bans Conversion Therapy
City Hall

Milwaukee Bans Conversion Therapy

Controversial therapy tries to transform LGBT teens into heterosexuals.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Barrett Plan Builds 10,000 Affordable Homes
Eyes on Milwaukee

Barrett Plan Builds 10,000 Affordable Homes

Ambitious plan is centerpiece of mayor's State-of-the-City speech. Will council support it?

The Rise of Reckless Driving

The Rise of Reckless Driving

Vehicles speeding, running red lights causing more deaths, hit-and-run accidents.

Murphy’s Law: Mayor Barrett’s Power in Decline?
Murphy’s Law

Mayor Barrett’s Power in Decline?

Council taking more power, mayor taking a beating.

Bar Exam: It’s Always Christmas at Dale’s
Bar Exam

It’s Always Christmas at Dale’s

Classic bar with Christmas and clown decorations, great soup, integrated clientele.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Affordable Housing Plan Inches Forward
Eyes on Milwaukee

Affordable Housing Plan Inches Forward

But proposal has been narrowed, will only affect city-financed projects.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Council Overrides Most of Mayor’s Vetoes
Eyes on Milwaukee

Council Overrides Most of Mayor’s Vetoes

Bauman accuses Barrett of false promises, Stamper calls mayor "disingenuous."

Eyes on Milwaukee: City Atty Says Affordable Housing Plan Illegal
Eyes on Milwaukee

City Atty Says Affordable Housing Plan Illegal

Will legal opinion kill the proposal? Or can Bauman and company rework the language?

Eyes on Milwaukee: Affordable Housing in Every Major Project?
Eyes on Milwaukee

Affordable Housing in Every Major Project?

Proposal would require it for any project with 20 or more units. Will developers oppose it?

Eyes on Milwaukee: Council Overrides Mayor on Firing Flynn
Eyes on Milwaukee

Council Overrides Mayor on Firing Flynn

10-5 vote means city lobbyist must seek state law giving council power to fire chiefs.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Council Votes for Authority to Fire Flynn
Eyes on Milwaukee

Council Votes for Authority to Fire Flynn

Requests state law giving them power to fire police and fire chiefs. Mayor promises a veto.

City Proposal Restricts Roadside Memorials

City Proposal Restricts Roadside Memorials

"Some of these turn into unpermitted block parties,” Ald. Johnson says

Eyes on Milwaukee: Ald. Hamilton’s City Hall Power Play
Eyes on Milwaukee

Ald. Hamilton’s City Hall Power Play

Michael Murphy now finds himself on the outside looking in. Why?

Eyes on Milwaukee: Committee Approves East Side Tower
Eyes on Milwaukee

Committee Approves East Side Tower

Real test will come at the Common Council next week.

Murphy’s Law: The City’s Most Curious Lobbyist
Murphy’s Law

The City’s Most Curious Lobbyist

Why is fire fighters’ president quietly lobbying on issues unrelated to his job?

Eyes on Milwaukee: Bucks Top Off New Arena
Eyes on Milwaukee

Bucks Top Off New Arena

4,400-pound steel beam symbolizes the peak of new arena's construction.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Sherman Park Project Moves Forward
Eyes on Milwaukee

Sherman Park Project Moves Forward

Sherman Phoenix project will rise from ashes of old bank with small city grant.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Commission Approves 27-Story Tower
Eyes on Milwaukee

Commission Approves 27-Story Tower

Madison developer revives 27-story proposal on Prospect next to Goll House.

Council Supports Restricting Asset Forfeiture

Council Supports Restricting Asset Forfeiture

Would only be allowed for convicted criminals. Milwaukee police opposed change.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Council Still Upset with Chief Flynn
Eyes on Milwaukee

Council Still Upset with Chief Flynn

"Damn right hold it again" proclaims alderman Bob Donovan. Council wants more control of chief.

50 Years After the Marches: Common Council More Diverse Today, But…
50 Years After the Marches

Common Council More Diverse Today, But…

Other cities have done better at embracing diversity.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Council Members Blast Chief Flynn
Eyes on Milwaukee

Council Members Blast Chief Flynn

Demanding more input into Flynn's decision making, they refuse to allocate federal funds.

Biking: Kids Ask Common Council for Safer Streets
Biking

Kids Ask Common Council for Safer Streets

Big increase in city pedestrians killed while crossing the street.

Op Ed: How to Prevent Crime
Op Ed

How to Prevent Crime

53206 zip code has high crime, high imprisonment. We need a different approach.

Workers Urged to Use JobLines Buses

Workers Urged to Use JobLines Buses

Freeway lawsuit got $13.5 million settlement; two bus lines to suburban jobs created.

Op Ed: Trump Budget Would Hurt City
Op Ed

Trump Budget Would Hurt City

$54 billion annual spending cut would hit long list of needed city programs.

Fighting the “Dark Store Loophole”

Fighting the “Dark Store Loophole”

Big box stores like Walgreens and Menards claim tax loophole. Cities oppose it.

Court Watch: Muni Court Indigents Will Get Lawyers
Court Watch

Muni Court Indigents Will Get Lawyers

Common Council votes 9-6 to approve funding for new program.

Op-Ed: Public Safety Plan Ignores the Community
Op-Ed

Public Safety Plan Ignores the Community

Aldermen should work harder to consult residents and target underlying causes of crime.

NEWaukeean of the Week: Jason Rae
NEWaukeean of the Week

Jason Rae

"My biggest hope is that we continue to see strong, young leaders rise up and make their voice heard and get involved in the political process."

Eyes on Milwaukee: Council Kills Prospect Ave High Rise
Eyes on Milwaukee

Council Kills Prospect Ave High Rise

Impressive 27-story, $55 million project is dead, due to opposition of neighbors.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Rocky Marcoux’s Job in Jeopardy
Eyes on Milwaukee

Rocky Marcoux’s Job in Jeopardy

Council majority votes no, but decision will get reconsidered. His chances look slim.

MPS Creates More Community Schools

MPS Creates More Community Schools

New reform comes after school board rejects proposed state OSPP plan by Abele.

Eyes on Milwaukee: City Hall’s Game of Thrones
Eyes on Milwaukee

City Hall’s Game of Thrones

Hail Ashanti! Ald. Hamilton's route to the Iron Throne laid bare.

Murphy’s Law: Who Will Win the Elections?
Murphy’s Law

Who Will Win the Elections?

The turnout will be massive. And could result in upsets.

Plenty of Horne: Will Public Market Expand?
Plenty of Horne

Will Public Market Expand?

The fish market wants to expand outdoor cafe. And Chevy Johnson kicks off campaign for alderman.

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