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 9
Prayer vigil planned in response to beating death outside club
Residents will hold a prayer vigil this evening (Wednesday, November 7) in the wake of the fatal beating of Mariano Lopez.
Nov 7th, 2012 by Common Council President Jose Perez
Council votes to support County Board’s Medical Examiner legislation
County Board file establishes new policy for ME in cases involving death while in law enforcement custody
Oct 23rd, 2012 by Ald. Milele Coggs
Common Council prioritizes televising Fire and Police Commission meetings
The Milwaukee Common Council today approved a motion by immediate adoption that prioritizes Fire and Police Commission meetings among the lineup of programming on City Channel 25.
Oct 16th, 2012 by Ald. Milele Coggs
Supervisor Romo West Asks the Public to Help the Less Fortunate This Winter
Supervisor Romo West and city of Milwaukee Alderman Jose Perez join in appeal for help for community’s poor
Oct 15th, 2012 by Sup. Peggy A. West
Mayor Barrett Announces “Freshwater Way” As the Winning Street Name to Replace “Pittsburgh Avenue”
Popular Contest Produced Hundreds of Suggestions
Oct 9th, 2012 by Mayor Tom Barrett
Congregation plans prayer vigil tonight in response to parking lot shooting death
Parishioners at the St. Hyacinth Catholic Church will hold a prayer vigil this evening in the wake of a disturbing shooting that left a 35-year-old man dead in the parish’s parking lot this week.
Oct 4th, 2012 by Common Council President Jose Perez
Common Council members call for County to codify changes in Medical Examiner’s procedures
Several Council members met with the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office on Friday (Sept. 28) to discuss concerns related to the Derek Williams case.
Oct 2nd, 2012 by Milwaukee Common Council
Joint statement from Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman José G. Pérez and Alderman Ashanti Hamilton
Today’s announcement that Pierce Elementary School and La Escuela Fratney have been chosen as GE Foundation Demonstration Schools is great news.
Oct 1st, 2012 by Milwaukee Common Council
U.S. Attorney’s insight needed in Williams death investigation
We are respectfully requesting that the office of the U.S. Attorney conduct an investigation into the case of Derek Williams, who died last year while in the custody of Milwaukee police.
Sep 27th, 2012 by Milwaukee Common Council
Four More Years
The Common Council approves the reappointment of DCD Commissioner Rocky Marcoux for another term.
Sep 25th, 2012 by Dave Reid
Deadline is Oct. 1 to apply for NSP2 Homebuyer Assistance program
Participants are offered both financial and technical advice as part of the program.
Sep 12th, 2012 by Common Council President Jose Perez
Bradley Tech students to unveil Milwaukee Observatory in historic Walker’s Point
The Milwaukee Observatory will be open Saturday, Sept. 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 22 and Sunday, Sept. 23 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Sep 12th, 2012 by Common Council President Jose Perez
Common Council Sets Standards for Elementary School Playgrounds
The Milwaukee Common Council today passed a measure that will require all new elementary schools in the city to provide a minimum amount of safe, open play space to help children stay healthy and active.
Sep 5th, 2012 by Milwaukee Common Council
Tragedy in Oak Creek
Joint Statement from Members of the Common Council
Aug 6th, 2012 by Milwaukee Common Council
City health benefits now cover all families
The Common Council voted Tuesday to extend health and dental benefits eligibility to registered domestic partners of city retirees and to the children of all registered domestic partners.
Jul 25th, 2012 by Milwaukee Common Council
Common Council approves Milwaukee Jobs Act initiative
The Common Council today approved creation of the Milwaukee Jobs Act -Transitional Jobs Program – a multifaceted effort to create employment opportunities for city young people and job seekers from areas of the city that have been particularly hard-hit economically.
Jul 24th, 2012 by Milwaukee Common Council
Chief Flynn should provide answers in public forum
Joint Statement from Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, and Alderman José G. Pérez
Jul 13th, 2012 by Milwaukee Common Council
Rent-to-own initiative expanding on city’s near south side
A scattered-site project on the near south side of Milwaukee to renovate and transform vacant foreclosed homes into rent-to-own single-family homes is expanding, said Alderman José G. Pérez.
Jul 13th, 2012 by Common Council President Jose Perez
Rocky Road
Some aldermen want to dump DCD head Rocky Marcoux, but Mayor Barrett disagrees.
Jun 26th, 2012 by Bruce Murphy
Watching the Watchdog – Joint Statement from Members of the Common Council
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s recent investigations into the police department have misled the public about important facts relevant to the safety of our community.
Jun 22nd, 2012 by Milwaukee Common Council
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
