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
Because of continued mistakes investigating, assessing and following through on elevated blood lead levels, children continue to be poisoned in Milwaukee. The result of this Bay View case (as confirmed by the administration) being mishandled has hurt children and could have been prevented.
Unfortunately this is not an isolated incident and we call for a complete audit of every elevated blood lead level case we have at the city to ensure that every Milwaukeean is safe. In addition, we must reevaluate the city’s response to lead exposure and seek to prevent poisoning rather than respond to it. Now is the time to reimagine and rebuild a new system that doesn’t depend on children’s blood as the main testing mechanism.
This (lead exposure) has been our city’s pandemic long before COVID -19 and we need to dedicate the same urgency and resources to eliminating it.
We owe that to our children, our families, and every resident of Milwaukee.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Lead Crisis
- New MPS Superintendent Cutting Central Office Jobs - Corrinne Hess - May 8th, 2025
- MTEA Statement on Lead Exposure in MPS Buildings - Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association - Apr 30th, 2025
- Statement from Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez on Lead Hazards in MPS Buildings - Sup. Juan Miguel Martinez - Apr 29th, 2025
- MPS Closing Two More Schools For Lead Hazards - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 28th, 2025
- Milwaukee Public Schools Enters New Phase of Lead Cleanup - Milwaukee Public Schools - Apr 28th, 2025
- What To Know and How To Keep Kids Safe From Lead Poisoning - Evan Casey - Apr 25th, 2025
- Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Senator Tammy Baldwin Urge HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to Reinstate Childhood Lead Poisoning Experts at CDC, Push for Approval of Milwaukee’s Request for Federal Assistance - U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore - Apr 23rd, 2025
- MPS’s Fernwood School to Reopen Following Lead Remediation Work - Milwaukee Public Schools - Apr 22nd, 2025
- Milwaukee School Board May Sue Paint Companies Over Lead Crisis - Evan Casey - Apr 19th, 2025
- Trump Administration Axed Federal Employees Needed for MPS Lead Crisis - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 14th, 2025
Read more about Lead Crisis here
Recent Press Releases by Milwaukee Common Council
Statement on the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan
Apr 25th, 2025 by Milwaukee Common CouncilFrom Common Council Members: President 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 Moore, Alderman Peter Burgelis, Alderman Scott Spiker, Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II April 25, 2025