The reopening of the Social Development Commission, after months of disruption, has sparked mixed reactions from elected officials.

While some welcome its return, others anticipate challenges ahead, with Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson calling for greater transparency from the agency.  

The Social Development Commission, or SDC, reopened its main office at 1730 W. North Ave. earlier this month. It’s now focusing on resuming its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, career services, child care and housing programs.

The agency provided programs and services that helped Milwaukee County residents living in poverty before it stopped services and laid off employees in late April because of its inability to meet payroll and other financial concerns. 

Mayor calls for more transparency 

At the SDC board’s meeting where leadership announced plans to reopen, Jackie Q. Carter, the board’s commissioner appointed by the mayor, voted against executive board nominations and asked for more community involvement, a formalized process and public transparency in the board’s decisions.

“The vote accurately reflected the mayor’s concerns about the lack of transparency in the latest moves,” said Jeff Fleming, a spokesperson for Johnson.

The mayor would like SDC to follow requirements of Wisconsin open meetings law, which includes publicly posting notice of its board meetings and providing agendas with information regarding the matters of discussion, Fleming said.

Since SDC suspended operations, the board has only been meeting part of the law’s notice requirements. SDC has notified individuals and members of the press of upcoming meetings, but it has not been posting meeting notices in public places or online. 

“The mayor is hopeful SDC will, once again, be a leading provider of help to low-income residents of the region,” Fleming said. “It is essential that SDC regain trust before it can resume the important work it previously undertook. The services are needed, and well-run organizations are key to serving those who deserve assistance.”

Other officials weigh in

Before the reopening announcement in November, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said in an interview that the county wants to continue working with the Social Development Commission.

He said many of the services SDC provided have been picked up by other agencies, and his office has not received any constituent calls related to service issues. 

“But we also know that as a CAP (community action program) agency, there are dollars that are probably on the table at the state and federal level that we haven’t been able to take advantage of because they aren’t open,” Crowley said. 

Following the reopening announcement, Jonathan Fera, the communications director for the county executive’s office, said the state and the federal Office of Community Services are working with SDC to determine how to move forward, and Crowley is ready to collaborate with them when needed. 

“It’s encouraging that people are back at the table working on a solution to the challenges that have impacted public services provided by SDC,” Fera said. 

The county administration is encouraging residents who can no longer access services through the SDC to reach out to the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services. 

Another official interested in SDC restarting services is U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore.

When SDC abruptly shuttered in April, Moore wrote letters to SDC’s board and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, calling for a federal investigation. 

“The Social Development Commission’s closure was a loss that was deeply felt in the community,” Moore said. “While I am grateful that the Social Development Commission is resuming some of its services, I know it still faces many challenges ahead.”

County Supervisor Priscilla E. Coggs-Jones, who represents the 13th District on Milwaukee’s Near North Side and is the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors’ second vice chair, called the reopening a “critical step toward restoring vital services for Milwaukee County residents.” 

“The SDC has been a cornerstone of community support for years, and its relaunch reaffirms our commitment to uplifting people in need,” she said. 

State Sen. LaTonya Johnson, who represents the 6th Senate District, said the reopening is great news for Milwaukee County. 

“The commission’s ability to provide housing assistance and child care food services has been a lifeline for families who need a little support,” Johnson said. “I’m glad to have them back in our community, and I encourage those who need help to take advantage of their services.”

Devin Blake, PrincessSafiya Byers and Edgar Mendez contributed reporting to this story.

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Milwaukee Common Council Ald. Jonathan Brostoff (State legislative headshot) and former Ald. Terry Witkowski (

Milwaukee Common Council Ald. Jonathan Brostoff and former Ald. Terry Witkowski have died, according to a Monday release from the Milwaukee mayor’s office. 

Mayor Cavalier Johnson said in a statement that he is “extremely saddened” by the passing of both men.

Brostoff, 41, was elected to the Common Council in November 2022 to represent a district on the east side of Milwaukee. Prior to the Common Council, Brostoff served in the state Assembly for eight years after being first elected in 2014. 

“Jonathan brought a unique energy to his work at City Hall. His passion and dedication were evident every day,” Johnson said. “No elected official brought more enthusiasm to their work than Jonathan. He was a husband, a father, a son, and, to me, a close friend. My thoughts and sympathy go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.”

According to records from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office shared with the mayor’s office, an autopsy will be conducted on Tuesday. The death is being investigated as a suicide.

Gov. Tony Evers said he and his wife Kathy Evers are “shocked and saddened” by Brostoff’s passing.

“Jonathan’s passing is a tragedy to all who knew him and for many whose lives have been bettered because of his service and advocacy. As a legislator, Jonathan was always eager to seek the good in others, always working in earnest to bridge divides and bring people together of different backgrounds and perspectives,” Evers said. He noted Brostoff’s work to support the deaf, deaf-blind and hard-of-hearing community, advocacy to increase local government funding and to expand access to mental health services, saying Brostoff was “fully devoted” to the work and was “relentless in pursuing the change he believed in.”

“We are keeping his wife, Diana, their four young kids, their families and friends and all whose who knew and loved Jonathan close to our hearts,” Evers said. “We lost him far, far too soon.” 

Several other local elected officials mourned Brostoff’s passing in statements on Tuesday. 

“Jonathan was a loving father and husband, and greeted everyone he met with empathy and kindness. He was also a passionate advocate for the betterment of our community, and dedicated his professional life to the people he represented. It was an honor to have served in office with him, and he will be missed,” members of the Common Council said in a joint statement. 

The council asked people to respect the family’s privacy in this time of grief.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said the county “lost a beloved leader, partner, and dear friend” and that he was “devastated” by the passing. 

“Our friendship goes back to our days of community organizing, where we discovered our shared passion for improving Milwaukee County. From there, Jonathan and I worked our way up, eventually serving together in the Wisconsin State Legislature,” Crowley, who served in the Legislature from 2017 through 2020, said. “Every day, we walked through the halls of the State Capitol to support working families, build healthier communities, and foster a brighter future for our children. After our time in Madison, Jonathan was elected to the Milwaukee Common Council, where he continued working on behalf of the people. Jonathan never lost sight of why he ran for office: To make a difference in the lives of all Milwaukeeans.” 

“Jonathan consistently brought new ideas, contagious energy, and endless optimism to every room he entered. When he saw an opportunity to benefit his constituents, he seized it. When he saw a challenge to overcome, he worked with others to address it. Throughout the years, Jonathan and I remained close friends and colleagues. We should all learn from Jonathan’s leadership, compassion, and genuine love for those around him,” Crowley continued. “My heart and prayers are with his wife, their children, and the many Wisconsinites who also consider Jonathan what I did: a dear friend.”

Witkowski, who was elected to the Common Council in 2003 in a special election, represented part of the city’s southside for more than 15 years. He stepped down from the position in 2019. Before that, he spent more than 30 years working for the city, including as the Milwaukee Safety Commission’s Safety Director. 

TMJ4 reports that Witkowski died of natural causes.

Johnson offered his condolences to Witkowski’s family and friends. 

“Terry spent most of his professional life serving the people of our city,” Johnson said in a statement. “As the long-time leader of the Milwaukee Safety Commission, he led a variety of efforts to protect our residents. Then, in his service on the Milwaukee Common Council, Terry was a champion for his southside District.  Every time I hear or see a reference to the Garden District, I will think of Terry’s work.”

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.