Alderman José G. Pérez represents the 12th District on Milwaukee’s South Side.
He was elected council president in 2022 and re-elected in 2024.
Pérez was first elected in an April 2012 election against incumbent Jim Witkowiak.
Perez grew up in the district he now serves, at S. 10th and W. Walker streets, and was the oldest of two children. He told the Journal Sentinel his grandfather came from Puerto Rico in the early 1950s when agents from the Grede Foundry went to the island to recruit labor.
According to his official biography, Perez dropped out of high school and started college at age 26, after early work experience ranged from investigating welfare fraud to developing gang prevention and youth development programs for non-profit organizations. Perez later enrolled at Cardinal Stritch University and was the first Latino Student Government Association President and the first recipient of the Multi-Cultural Image Award that is now institutionalized at the university. He also served as an intern for Congressman Gerald Kleczka in Washington D.C. through the Hispanic Congressional Caucus Institute (1996), for Milwaukee Mayor John O. Norquist (1997) and for the Milwaukee City Clerk’s office (1998). Perez obtained a B.A. in political science from Cardinal Stritch in May 1999.
Perez soon became MICAH’s executive director and led the organization in creating the Good Jobs and Livable Neighborhoods Coalition, a group of labor and community organizations that worked to ensure the Park East Land Corridor development would benefit the entire city. He also served as Hispanic/Latino Advisory Committee member for former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold.
In February 2004, José joined the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrialized Organizations as a National Field Representative, and he next joined the City of Milwaukee’s Department of City Development (DCD) in January 2006. He served DCD as an Economic Development Specialist working on business development, real estate development, planning, permitting and public housing until September 2009. Jose then became a Program Officer for the City of Milwaukee’s Community Development Grants Administration, where he managed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects.
In addition to his university studies, José pursued many educational programs, attending several institutes and receiving certifications in finance, real estate, economic development, multicultural entrepreneurship, youth service, management skills and advanced leadership. Perez received The Business Journal’s Forty under 40 Community Leadership Award in 2008.
He ran for alderman as a champion of small business, and won by just 88 votes. Witkowiak fought for a recount, but Perez’s victory was upheld.
Content referencing José G. Pérez - Page 6
Green Space Project on Forest Home Avenue?
El Rey’s owners have donated land. Community planning has begun.
Jun 19th, 2016 by Edgar Mendez
Mayor’s Design Awards
The 2016 Mayor's Design Awards recognized projects from every corner of the city.
May 26th, 2016 by Michael Horne
The Small Pleasures of Koz’s Mini Bowl
For 60 years it's featured duck-pin bowling, the last such place in town.
May 13th, 2016 by Michael Horne
D.I.X. Bar A Marvel of Old Architecture
110-year-old bar has tin ceilings and oak bar, floors, wainscoting, ice box and on and on.
Apr 29th, 2016 by Michael Horne
The Town’s Most Ship-Shape Home
The "Boat House" on Cambridge, built in 1920s, is internationally known.
Apr 21st, 2016 by Michael Horne
Statue of Cesar Chavez Unveiled
Hundreds gather to celebrate new statue of legendary labor activist, located on Cesar Chavez Dr.
Apr 5th, 2016 by Edgar Mendez
Point-Counterpoint for Three Council Races
The views (or non-views) of aldermen Bauman, Donovan and Perez — and their opponents.
Mar 31st, 2016 by Edgar Mendez
Where City’s Crime is Rising
The biggest hike is in Ald. Donovan’s district. No wonder that’s his major issue.
Feb 18th, 2016 by Bruce Murphy
Kovac Raises Money for Reelection
Politicians, city officials and other notables chow down on food from Glorioso's.
Feb 15th, 2016 by Michael Horne
Ald. Kovac’s “Adult” Home Is Very Modest
The 1893 Riverwest home has just 1.5 stories and one bathroom with 10% ventilation.
Jan 22nd, 2016 by Michael Horne
Did Karl Kopp Let Historic Building Rot?
Unique 1871 building on river was “irreplaceable.” Bauman blames Kopp for its destruction.
Dec 10th, 2015 by Bruce Murphy
City Accepts $14 Million Federal Streetcar Grant
City wins TIGER grant after "a brutal competition" where demand for transit dollars greatly exceeded the sums appropriated.
Oct 29th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Harbor Room Is Classic Gay Men’s Bar
Its colorful 108-year history charts the rise and fall of a dense manufacturing neighborhood.
Oct 29th, 2015 by Michael Horne
The Future of Walker Square?
New DCD plan calls for bike lanes, greenery, diverse tenants on National Avenue.
Oct 26th, 2015 by Edgar Mendez
Barrett, Walker, Tout New Freshwater Plaza
$48 million mixed-use development has a little to do with water and a location near inner harbor.
Oct 23rd, 2015 by Michael Horne
O’Lydia’s Has 99-Year History
The atmospheric, old-style tavern still has the original floor, tin ceiling and back bar.
Oct 22nd, 2015 by Michael Horne
Removing Employment Barriers for Men
Ald. Jose Perez talks about barriers he once faced at summit for unemployed men.
Jul 29th, 2015 by Edgar Mendez
Will Historic Building in Third Ward Be Saved?
Third Ward review board defers decision on Historic Designation. And Milwaukee now has a Croatian sister city.
May 15th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Bay View’s Golden Age?
A proposal for five new apartment buildings in Bay View. And will At Random be razed?
May 6th, 2015 by Dave Reid
Anti-Violence Plan Targets Poor Neighborhoods
City and community groups cite approach that cut violence by 30% in areas of Chicago and Baltimore.
Apr 21st, 2015 by Jabril Faraj
Mexican Consulate Will Open in Milwaukee
The 51st such consulate in U.S. will serve city's growing Mexican population.
Apr 12th, 2015 by Edgar Mendez
Streetcar Signing Is Quite a Celebration
The mayor, business leaders and pols toasted the streetcar in Cudahy's Irish Pub, with Michael Cudahy on hand.
Feb 13th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Milwaukee Streetcar Approved
After years of debate, streetcar will finally move forward. Final engineering will begin immediately, and construction by the end of the year.
Feb 10th, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
Crowd Celebrates City Birthday Party
Politicians, PR people and other notables schmoozed away. The best rumor was that Chief Flynn might be retiring.
Feb 2nd, 2015 by Michael Horne
Streetcar Responses Shows Wide Support
Eleven out of 15 aldermanic districts, and 76 percent of all respondents support the proposed streetcar starter system.
Jan 22nd, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
Streetcar Approved, but Held
Large majority votes to approve streetcar, but parliamentary maneuver puts issue on hold until February 10th meeting.
Jan 21st, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
Streetcar Backers Say They Have the Votes
Aldermen Witkowski and Perez now favor it, and touted plan to extend the line into their south-side districts.
Jan 20th, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
Clarke Square
On just one block of W. Mineral St., the homes lost 43 percent of their value. Overcoming the foreclosure problem is a slow process.
Jan 9th, 2015 by Ben Greene, Courtney Perry and Patrick Leary
Five Neighborhoods With Foreclosure Problems
First in a series on five city neighborhoods that still have many foreclosed and abandoned homes.
Jan 7th, 2015 by Matthew Wisla
Forest Home Library Replacement Decided, Mill Road Deferred
New library on Mitchell St. could bring "Third Ward-caliber energy" to the south side neighborhood, John Gurda predicts.
Dec 18th, 2014 by Michael Horne
Council Delays Streetcar Until January
Minority of aldermen were able to use city charter provision to delay project for one month, but a majority seems poised to approve it.
Dec 16th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
New Forest Home Library Coming
Two proposals were unveiled at a public meeting of library board. Which one is better?
Dec 5th, 2014 by Michael Horne
Conference Touts Historic Preservation
Conference at We Energies offers experts touting the huge environmental payoff for historic reuse of buildings.
Oct 31st, 2014 by Michael Horne
Training Program Builds New Homes in City
Christian Center's YouthBuild program has built a dozen new homes while training young workers.
May 28th, 2014 by Brittany Carloni
The House of Hank the Dog
The Brewer's canine mascot has a nine-room Whitefish Bay home and 10,000 square foot lot to roam in, all worth $570,000.
Mar 24th, 2014 by Michael Horne
Murphy Announces New Committee Assignments
The changes aren't radical but big winner is Ald. Kovac, who becomes chair of Finance and vice-chair of Steering and Rules.
Feb 12th, 2014 by Michael Horne
Betting on the Common Council
Haven't got your fix with the Super Bowl? Gamble with friends on who will be the next council president.
Feb 2nd, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
The Other Mandela
The fundraiser for Rep. Mandela Barnes, just two days before his namesake Nelson Mandela died, had a big turnout.
Dec 8th, 2013 by Michael Horne
Jon Richards Will Run for Attorney General
Like Abe Lincoln, Richards has been practicing law all across the state in preparation for his run.
Oct 16th, 2013 by Michael Horne
Grand Opening of KK River Bike Trail
Despite rainy weather, Mayor Barrett and a host of politicians celebrated the new bike trail.
Oct 14th, 2013 by Urban Milwaukee
Ald. Pérez’s Tiny, Former Jesuit Home
His tiny lot and 840 square-foot home make him a true man of the people. And not much of a gardener.
Aug 25th, 2013 by Michael Horne
Where the Buffalo Roam
A new art project honoring Native American history will be constructed on the new Downtown to Bay View Bikeway
Jul 17th, 2013 by Joe Kelly
King Drive Owner Under Fire, Taxpayers Could Lose $212,000
Ald. Coggs assails company for promising local grocery and leasing to Dollar Tree instead.
Jul 3rd, 2013 by Shakara Robinson
Mayor Barrett Bikes to Work!
Mayor Barrett kicked off Bike to Work Week with his annual bike ride, and announced new city funding for bike-sharing.
May 13th, 2013 by Dave Reid
Politics & Poetry II
Aldermen join seasoned poets to tout today's election and celebrate the memory of poet Anita Brooks.
Apr 2nd, 2013 by Grace Fuhr
Witkowiak Runs Off to Siberia
The former alderman is an obsessive marathon runner. And the city gets 2000 more trees.
Jan 10th, 2013 by Dave Reid
Airborne Asbestos Plagues South Side?
A KK river restoration project may be causing asbestos and lead contamination while tearing down homes too near the river.
Jan 2nd, 2013 by Edgar Mendez
The Rise of Chris Larson
Is he a young liberal heavyweight? Or a punching bag for Republicans?
Nov 27th, 2012 by Bruce Murphy
Four More Years
The Common Council approves the reappointment of DCD Commissioner Rocky Marcoux for another term.
Sep 25th, 2012 by Dave Reid
Rocky Road
Some aldermen want to dump DCD head Rocky Marcoux, but Mayor Barrett disagrees.
Jun 26th, 2012 by Bruce Murphy
Zoning Change to be Approved, if Owner Pays Back Taxes
Property owner might get a zoning change if he pays $68,000 plus in back taxes, and the city has found new funds for street repaving projects.
Jun 7th, 2012 by Dave Reid
The Slow Demise of Sydney Hih
Sydney Hih could be saved, a witch hunt on North Ave, UWM has a baseball team (?), and Alderman Jose Perez wins a game for the Brewers.
Jun 6th, 2012 by Jeramey Jannene
Hines for Mayor, Coggs for Life, Thomas for 34%, and More City Politics
Welcome to the seventh installment of Eyes on Milwaukee. This week the focus is all on City of Milwaukee elected officials following yesterday's election. I explore the likelihood that Willie Hines runs for Mayor, how the new Common Council will resemble the old Common Council, the wide disparity in vote totals between districts, Bob Donovan winning the war, the shocking number of votes Johnny Thomas got, and Spencer Coggs' new job.
Apr 4th, 2012 by Jeramey Jannene
Taxi Cabs, Elections, and More
Welcome to the first weekly installment of Eyes on the Street, a new column running down what's happening in urban Milwaukee. This week features taxi cabs, election news, a list of openings and closings, and the photo of the week.
Feb 22nd, 2012 by Jeramey Jannene
