MILWAUKEE – The clock is ticking in the fight between ICE and Milwaukee. The federal Department of Justice gave Milwaukee until Friday to respond.

Law enforcement mask ban

The backstory:

In April, Milwaukee passed an ordinance that bans all law enforcement from wearing masks. There are exemptions for health or safety reasons. Those breaking it can face a fine of up to $10,000. 

Supporters said it was part of what they called “ICE Out Milwaukee.” It was clear from debate, they were targeting immigration agents.

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The U.S. DOJ sent the mayor and city attorney a letter on July 10. It says the federal government will not comply. It tells the city to respond by this Friday, July 17, that it will not enforce the ban against federal agents.

One Milwaukee nonprofit leader critical of ICE responded to the situation.

“I look at the federal government’s threats to Milwaukee as analogous to David versus Goliath,” said Emilio De Torre of the Milwaukee Turners at Turner Hall. “David was doing the right thing in the face of of violence and oppression, and Milwaukee’s doing the right thing too. If a person is proud of what they’re doing, if they know that what they’re doing is legal and justified, then they don’t need to be a coward and hide behind a mask.”

U.S. DOJ ultimatum

What we know:

The U.S. Department of Justice letter was signed by an assistant attorney and also Brad Schimel, who leads the U.S. attorney’s office in Eastern Wisconsin.

It says the mask ordinance is unconstitutional by breaking the U.S. Constitution’s supremacy clause.

“This Mask Ban endangers federal officers and undermines federal law enforcement operations,” the letter also states. “The consequences are severe. Protecting the personal identities of federal officers and their families is especially critical in part due to the increasingly common threats of targeted harassment, tracking, interference, and assaults on federal agents for simply doing their jobs.”

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Several Milwaukee groups held a vigil and protest against ICE on Wednesday, July 15 in Burnham Park. That included Milwaukee Turners, the Milwaukee teachers’ union and Voces de la Frontera. They are criticizing recent deaths.

Portions of this article were formatted using A.I. FOX6’s Jason Calvi and an editor reviewed it for accuracy and tone prior to publishing.

The City of Chicago has awarded a $3 million Community Development Grant for the redevelopment of the former Grace’s Furniture building at 2618 N. Milwaukee. Planned by Bluestar Properties and Marc Realty, the building was built in 1914 as a storage warehouse and sits within the Logan Square Boulevards District.

With K2 Studio serving as the architect, the existing structure will be converted into a four-story health club with a ground floor restaurant and cafe. Set to be known as Logan Square Athletic Club, the health club will be operated by Chicago Athletic Clubs. 

The redevelopment will rehabilitate the existing brick facade along N. Milwaukee Ave while creating a new brick facade on the south elevation.

The $11 million development will be supported in part by the $3 million Community Development Grant, which is funded through the city’s Housing and Economic Development bond.

According to Block Club Chicago, the project is expected to begin construction in Fall 2026 with construction expected to last for one year, with the gym set to open in late 2027. 

A teen was shot in Milwaukee on the afternoon of July 14, and the Milwaukee Police Department is asking the public for information about the incident.

Police said a 16-year-old was shot in the 2700 block of North 44th Street around 4:23 p.m., according to a news release. The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation.

Milwaukee police are looking for unknown suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Milwaukee Police Department at 414-935-7360 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS or submit a tip through the P3 Tips app.

Adrienne Davis is a general assignment and breaking news reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.